What is the role of the Colorado Department of Revenue?

The role of the Colorado Department of Revenue is primarily focused on financial matters such as collecting state taxes, which includes income, sales, and various other taxes that contribute to the state’s revenue. This department is responsible for ensuring compliance with tax laws, processing tax returns, and providing taxpayer assistance. Moreover, it has a regulatory function over the alcohol and tobacco industries, overseeing licensing and enforcement to ensure these industries operate within the law. This dual focus on tax collection and regulation of certain markets highlights the Department's critical role in managing the state’s financial health and regulatory framework.

The other options reflect responsibilities that belong to different departments; for instance, regulating public education funding is mainly the responsibility of the Colorado Department of Education. Administering social services is generally under the purview of the Colorado Department of Human Services, while managing public health initiatives typically falls to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Each of these departments has distinct responsibilities that do not overlap with the core functions of the Department of Revenue.