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Official wants tobacco money in trust fund 

But he hopes he can convince officials to put the rest in a Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund portfolio. By the year 2026, he predicts that portfolio could earn $207.5 million in interest, which would be enough to fund all of the programs started in the first year with more than $130 million left over.

"They're already haggling over spending the first year's allotment, but if we put it all in a trust fund, in six years alone there would be interest income that would equate to the entire general fund budget for the Department of Public Health -- about $20.7 million."

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They're already haggling over spending the first year's allotment, but if we put it all in a trust fund, in six years alone there would be interest income that would equate to the entire general fund budget for the Department of Public Health -- about $20.7 million.
State Treasurer-elect Mike Coffman wants Colorado to put most of its $2.7 billion in tobacco settlement money into a Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund portfolio. Quoted in <i>Official wants tobacco money in trust fund</i>

TABOR Author Disputes Tobacco Settlement 

The author of Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of Rights says the state's share of a national tobacco settlement should be given to taxpayers. Colorado Springs resident Douglas Bruce says his amendment exempts ``damage awards'' given to the state... but calls the tobacco settlement a ``court award.'' The Taxpayers Bill of Rights requires state revenues over certain limits to be returned to taxpayers.

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Spending of tobacco settlement debated 

Proposals for spending Colorado's $2.6 billion share of a massive tobacco settlement are being debated by health and state officials.

"I think getting the money was the easy part," said Dr. Mark Johnson of the Jefferson County Health Department. "Spending the money is going to be the difficult part."

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