State Treasurer Cary Kennedy and Gov. Bill Ritter have released the fourth-annual State Taxpayer Accountability Report (STAR), which provides information on Colorado's fiscal condition in an accessible, easy-to-read format.

The report, released last week, presents information showing where Colorado's revenues come from, the types of public services and systems supported by these revenues and how the Great Recession has affected the state budget. It is a clear, concise and easily understandable report that makes state finances more transparent for all Coloradans. It lays out the data for people to see and read for themselves.

"The STAR's purpose is to keep government accessible and accountable," said Kennedy. "We are making information available so the people of Colorado can see exactly how their tax dollars are being used."

The report, which covers fiscal year 2008-09, has the most recently audited data available, describes demographic trends and compares Colorado to other states. Among the interesting facts gleaned from the report:

• With the debate over Prop 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 heating up, it is important to note that Colorado ranked 46th in state and local taxes as a percentage of personal income and 46th in tax-supported borrowing as a percentage of personal income.
• Colorado's General Fund revenue dropped by 13 percent, or $1 billion, from fiscal year 2007-08 to 2008-09.
• To close that gap and balance the budget, the legislature and governor transferred cash funds into the General Fund ($805 million), raised revenues ($12.5 million) and used American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding ($390 million). The ARRA funds prevented a $150 million cut to higher education.
• In 1999, Colorado had a greater percentage of people in their prime earning and spending years (37 to 57) than the nation as a whole. This changed over the last decade, and in 2008 (the most recent data available), we had a smaller percentage in this age category than the rest of the nation.
• We currently have a greater percentage of our population aged 67 to 85+ than the nation as a whole.
• Coloradans own $17.4 billion in capital assets most of which are infrastructure and buildings.

In addition to the STAR report, the treasurer's website has links to the Transparency Online Project System (TOPS), where you can track state government expenditures, and Tax Tracks to the Treasury, an interactive site that shows how much you pay in taxes depending on your income and where those tax revenues go. It also offers an  opportunity for you to indicate whether you thought this was the right amount, too little or too much.