Colorado’s economy seeing slower growth, reports say

Partisan debate in the Legislature over hospital provider fees, tax refunds and paying for roads and schools may have ended this session.

That’s because two economic forecasts issued Friday all but assure that Colorado will balance its books next fiscal year.

Both reports are used to craft next year’s state budget. They forecast moderate job, economic and general revenue fund growth except for Colorado’s troubled oil and gas industry.

Legislative economist Natalie Mullis forecast a $111 million drop in revenue for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

But she said that’s offset by budget cuts already adopted by lawmakers.