Strategic | Where We Engage

Each year the Colorado General Assembly considers 500 or more pieces of legislation. Are you interested in which bills Colorado Concern is tracking? Click here for an "At a Glance" status sheet, or for a real-time status sheet with additional details, click here.

Do You Know Your Legislator?

Interested in knowing who represents you at the Colorado General Assembly? Click here for more information.

United | Weekly Legislative Update

Colorado Concern produces a weekly newsletter for its members during the Colorado State Legislative Session, January through May. Click here to view archives of these newsletters.

From the President and CEO

The Week in Review: May 13, 2013

Another legislative session is in the rearview mirror. The Colorado General Assembly adjourned sine die on Wednesday evening - approximately six hours before the statutorily mandated midnight deadline. A total of 700 bills and resolutions were introduced this year. Colorado Concern engaged on 20 measures: Ten we supported, and a like number we opposed. Seven bills we supported passed both chambers, and of those we opposed, four were defeated. A link to our status sheet can be found here, as well as a copy of the veto letter Colorado Concern and 21 other statewide organizations sent to Governor Hickenlooper last week.

As noted over the last five months in discussions with our state's elected leaders, Colorado Concern's focus is protecting and enhancing our state's business climate. We support measures that meet that goal, and oppose those that do not. We look forward to working with members of the General Assembly and the Hickenlooper administration during the off-session to discuss how we best align those ideals.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Erin Silver and Pete Kirchhof, who represent Colorado Concern at the State Capitol, for their efforts this year on our behalf. We are fortunate to have their expertise as part of our team.

Discussions now move to the 2013 statewide ballot, specifically, the discussion around a $ 1.1 billion income tax increase for early childhood and K-12 education. In the coming weeks proponents will decide which taxing method they will select for voter consideration, and if 2013 is the appropriate timeline for the discussion. Click here for a copy of a story from the May 5, 2013, Denver Post on the issue and the business community's thoughts on the issue.

As we move into summer this communication will come to you every other week.

A reminder: Don't forget to sign up for our June 20th lunch with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

Warmly,

Tamra J. Ward
President and CEO
Colorado Concern

Archived legislative updates can be viewed here.

Committed | Member Survey Highlights

Member engagement is critical in setting our agenda. Each fall our CEOs, business and community leaders provide their feedback to a public policy survey.

Jobs and the Economy

  • Forty-three percent believe Colorado's economic situation will be "about the same" a year from now.

  • Forty percent state their company's economic situation is "about the same" as last year at this time.

  • Forty-nine percent say they will "grow and expand" in 2012; 50 percent will remain "status quo."

Colorado Taxes

  • Fifty-one percent say Colorado's personal income tax is "about average." Thirty-one percent say it's "lower than most states."

  • Colorado's corporate income tax is "about average," according to 45 percent of members. Fourteen percent say it's lower than most states.

  • Colorado's corporate property tax is "higher than most states," according to 45 percent. Thirty percent call it "about average."

Tax Options and Where You Would Spend It

  • If taxes were to be raised, 35 percent would like to see the state sales tax on goods increased. Thirty-three percent would consider a graduated personal income tax but need to know more specifics on how the tax would work. Thirty percent would like to see an increase in the state’s gas tax.

  • 71 percent believe higher education is underfunded.

Ease of Business Operations

  • Forty-three percent say operating their business in Colorado is "about the same" as other states. Twenty-three percent say it's easier.

Separation for Pinnacol Assurance?

  • 50 percent say "yes."
  • 30 percent are undecided.

Colorado Concern's Top Five Issues for Elected Officials

  • Protect and enhance business climate: 72 percent
  • Recruit / retain business, job growth: 72 percent
  • Further K-12 reform: 55 percent
  • Support higher education: 49 percent
  • Support transportation funding: 40 percent

Tie between:

  • Business regulation reform: 27 percent
  • Support early childhood education: 27 percent

Key Areas for Colorado Concern Focus / Engagement

  • Address the state's structural constitutional challenges
    (52% intensity)
  • Increased funds for the state's General Fund
  • Ballot initiative reform
  • Electing statewide candidates who have an understanding of business issues

K-12 Reform

Tie:

  • Sixty-two percent would like to see funding for quality prekindergarten child care for those who are unable to pay.
  • Sixty-two percent would like to make the school day and school year longer.

Low:

  • Forty-two percent are interested in a statewide tax measure for additional K-12 resources.

Development Focus

  • Reducing the availability of Tax Increment Financing (TIF's) would negatively impact redevelopment projects.
  • Additional construction defects legislation remains troubling.
  • Reclassification of agricultural lands causes concern.

Transportation

  • Fifty-six percent feel a lack of adequate funding is the biggest problem with Colorado’s transportation system.
  • Half would like to see more bonding for transportation projects.
  • Forty-four percent would support increasing the state’s gas tax.
  • Forty-two percent would support increasing the vehicle registration fee to better fund transportation.

Health Care

  • Ninety-six percent of respondents offer health insurance to their employees.
  • Seventy-two percent do not feel the Affordable Care Act will reduce the cost of health care for employers and their employees.

Energy

  • Seventy-five percent oppose local governments taking action to regulate the oil and gas industry on top of current state regulations.

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