By Shannon Bird, includes “…. Unfortunately, however, in the wake of the pandemic’s damage to our economy, and because our state constitution requires a balanced budget, the legislature was forced to make the difficult decision to suspend the state’s required payment. Since that time, however, our economy has rebounded and economic activity in Colorado is now exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Revenue available to the state is forecast to be strong. … Bottom line: failure to make the 2020 payment will be a disservice to the entire state.”