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Legislative Updates

The SCWCC’s Public Policy Committee (PPC) exists to foster the exchange of ideas and information which support a thriving economy. We monitor the legislative agenda, inform members of issues arising and convey member expectations to our elected officials.

Stances

HB25-1144 - Repeal Retail Delivery Fees

SCWCC Stance: Support

We support reducing the administrative burden & costs for Colorado businesses who make deliveries.

HB25-1119 - Require Disclosures of Climate Emissions

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill creates high compliance costs and burden to not just $1B revenue businesses, but their suppliers. The reporting complexity will cause difficulties in measuring emissions across vast supply chains, leading to legal risks. The potential for legal challenges is too great.

HB25-1130 - Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

We believe this bill will lead to increased costs for Colorado businesses. This limited applicability to the private sector doesn’t meet the needs of the whole and will create a risk of reduced contractor participation.

SB25-002 - Regional Building Codes for Factory-Built Structures

SCWCC Stance: Support

We support this bill as it moves responsibility to regional areas, allowing for better local control. The increased speed of production for construction of accessible homes would be good for our community.

SB25-006 - Investment Authority of State Treasurer for Affordable Housing

SCWCC Stance: Support

This bill helps increase the availability of affordable for-sale housing, addressing Colorado’s housing crisis. It supports local jobs, businesses, and long-term community stability through homeownership. Investing in bonds with below-market rates makes affordable housing projects more financially feasible.

HB25-1090 - Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill could unfairly disadvantage Colorado business. The provisions for landlords could impact triple net leases negatively, and there is a too short time window which could lead to increased litigation.

HB25-1092 - Rent Increases by Landlord to Tenant

SCWCC Stance: Support

This bill balances litigation actions between tenants and landlords and provides clearer guidelines on litigation than existing rules.

HB25-1010 - Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill, as drafted, would replace the market for pricing goods with a system of market controls by the State AG, who would then set up an arbitrary system for which providers of goods could not compete to stay in business. This would negatively impact small businesses in particular.

HB25-1021 - Tax Incentives for Employee-Owned Businesses

SCWCC Stance: Support

HB25-1021 is beneficial for businesses considering employee ownership and employees seeking equity participation. There is potential for increased job security and wealth-building opportunities through ownership, possibly leading to stronger community-oriented enterprises.

SB25-048 - Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act

SCWCC Stance: Oppose Unless Amended

Amended requirements: 1) More specific coverage requirements, quantifiable, 2) Cost Containment and capped premium increases; and 3) Exemptions for small employers.

SB25-020 - Tenant and Landlord Law Enforcement

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

We believe the compliance cost is too great for businesses to carry. These costs will create potential for increased rents to cover the actual and potential costs. This will worsen housing affordability, not help it.

HB25-1030 Accessibility Standards in Building Codes

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

Unless amended, the turnaround time for compliance is too short for businesses to meaningfully comply with requirements. More than 1,600 properties considered historical may not have been considered, or exempted appropriately for compliance

SB25-005 Worker Protection Collective Bargaining

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

If passed, this bill would repeal most of the Colorado Labor Peace Act of 1943, cited as the reason for labor peace in Colorado. The agency shop model under the Act has worked well. Employees who are not union members are not forced to join, but will pay dues if 75% agree to unionize in the second election. This prevents non-union employees from benefiting from union advocacy without paying dues. CO businesses could face increased unionization, demands, and strikes. Businesses could lose employees who don’t want to join a union. CO will be less attractive to new businesses. The 2-vote rule allowed employers and employees to consider unionization and mandatory dues.

HB25-1001 Enforcement Wage Hour Laws

SCWCC Stance: Oppose & Monitor

The bill creates an uneven legal field for lawsuits, allowing frivolous or wasteful cases, and adds a new avenue for potentially damaging businesses through the withdrawal of licenses, certificates, or registrations.

HB25-1004 No Pricing Coordination Between Landlords

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

Without reliable data, property managers may struggle to adjust pricing during peak and off-peak seasons, leading to lower revenues and decreased economic contributions to local communities dependent on tourism. This issue also affects homeowners who rent part of their home or rent it seasonally, as well as second-home owners and real estate investors. Companies providing software or analytics to landlords may face legal and operational uncertainties, forcing them to modify or discontinue services in Colorado. This limits innovation and options for businesses, while larger landlords with proprietary data could further consolidate their advantage,
reducing market opportunities for smaller competitors.

2024 Stances

HB24-1008 Wage Claims Construction Industry

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill would require general contractors in the construction industry to pay wage claims filed by subcontractor employees. 

Status:  Passed by the House and Senate.  Vetoed by Governor Polis.     

VOTING YES: Senator Exum (D); Representatives Snyder (D), Vigil (D)

VOTING NO: Senators Liston (R), Lundeen (R), Gardner (R); Pelton (R) Representatives Pugliese (R), Wilson (R), Bradfield (R), DeGraff (R), Bottoms (R)

Excused (Not Voting): Representative English (D); Bockenfeld (R)  

HB24-1014 Deceptive Practice

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill eliminates the need for plaintiffs to separately prove significant impact to consumers, in a consumer protection lawsuit. This will increase abusive lawsuits against businesses.   

Status: Passed the House, defeated in the Senate

VOTING YES: Representatives Vigil (D), English (D)

VOTING NO: Representatives Snyder (D), Pugliese (R), Wilson (R), Bradfield (R), DeGraff (R), Bottoms (R)

SB24-159 Mod to Energy & Carbon Management Process

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill would have banned new oil and gas drilling permits starting in 2030.  It would reduce oil and gas drilling in 2028 and 2029. 

Status:  Defeated in Senate Committee

VOTING NO: Senator Lundeen (R)

HB24-1230 Protections for Real Property Owners

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill makes it easier to file construction defects lawsuits and increases damages by awarding pre-judgement interest.  This bill would increase construction defects litigation. 

Status:  Passed the House, passed the Senate committee, died on the calendar. 

VOTING YES: Senator Exum (D), Representative Vigil (D)

VOTING NO:  Senator Pelton (R), Representatives Snyder (D), Pugliese (R), Wilson (R), Bradfield (R), DeGraff (R), Bottoms (R)

EXCUSED: Representatives Bockenfeld (R), English (D) 

HB24-1330 Air Quality Permitting

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill adds numerous costly regulatory requirements to the permitting process for Colorado’s oil & gas industry, redefining who is a “major” and “minor” emitter, putting many small operations at risk.  The bill discourages further investment in the oil and gas industry, which generates $1.9B in tax revenue for Colorado.    

STATUS:  Died in House Committee, not introduced in the Senate.

VOTING YES: Representative Vigil (D)

VOTING NO:  Representative DeGraff (R), Bottoms (R)

HB24-1338 Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill would lead to stricter and more costly regulations for Colorado oil refineries, increasing the State’s reliance on external sources of refined petroleum.  This bill will increase business energy and transportation costs.    

Status:  Passed the House and Senate, signed into law by Governor.    

VOTING YES: Senator Exum (D), Representative Vigil (D), English (D)

VOTING NO:  Senator Pelton (R), Lundeen (R), Liston (R), Gardner (R), Representatives Pugliese (R), Wilson (R), Bradfield (R), DeGraff (R), Bottoms (R)

EXCUSED: Representatives Bockenfeld (R), Snyder (D) 

HB24-1175 Right of First Refusal

SCWCC Stance: Opposition

This bill mandates that local governments have the right of first refusal and the right of first offer, before the owner of certain multifamily units can sell the facilities. This bill will cause delays and increased costs to real estate transactions of certain multifamily units.  These increased costs will be borne by the renters and buyers.  It will also discourage investment in multi-family developments.

Status:  Passed the House and Senate, pending Governor’s signature

VOTING YES: Senator Exum (D), Representative Vigil (D)

VOTING NO:  Senators Gardner (R), Liston (R), Lundeen (R), R Pelton (R) Representative Bottoms (R), DeGraff (R), Bradfield (R), Snyder (D), Wilson (R)

EXCUSED:  Bockenfeld (R), English (D), Pugliese (R)

SB24-020 Alcohol Beverage Delivery & Takeout

SCWCC Stance: Support

The bill makes permanent the COVID law that allowed restaurants and other food service industries to sell alcohol beverages for take-out or delivery. 

Status:  Passed both House and Senate, Signed by the Governor

VOTING YES: All El Paso County state legislators except those excused.

Excused:  Senators Gardner (R), Liston (R); Representative Bockenfeld (R)

SB24-106 Right to Remedy Construction Defects

SCWCC Stance: Support

The bill as introduced allowed the construction company to remedy any construction defects before owners in multifamily units (condos, townhomes) can file a lawsuit.  Unfortunately, the bill was amended in the Senate to remove the main provision on right to remedy before litigation. 

Status:  Passed the Senate, House bill sponsor withdrew the bill in the House

VOTING YES: Senators Exum (D), Lundeen (R), Gardner (R), Liston (R), Pelton (R)

HB24-1325 Tax Credits for Quantum Industry Support

SCWCC Stance: Support

This bill provides tax credits to Colorado’s quantum computing industry, one of two geographic areas recognized by the Federal government.  The bill provides tax credits to industry for facility construction and other work.  

Status:  Passed the House and Senate, pending Governor’s signature

VOTING YES: Senators Exum (D), Gardner (R), Lundeen (R), R Pelton (R), Representatives Bradfield (R), English (D), Pugliese (R), Vigil (D), Snyder (D)

VOTING NO: Senator Liston (R), Representative Bottoms (R), Wilson (R), DeGraff (R)

EXCUSED: Bockenfeld (R)

HB24-1041 Stream lining tax filing timelines

SCWCC Stance: Support

The bill changes tax filing thresholds for sales and use taxes.  Threshold changes allow businesses to file less frequently, saving them time and money.

Status: Passed the House and Senate, Signed by the Governor

VOTING YES:  All El Paso County state legislators except those excused. 

EXCUSED: Bockenfeld (R), English (D), DeGraff (R)

SB24-181 Alcohol Impact and Recovery Enterprise

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

While this legislation targets the increasing alcohol and substance abuse in Colorado, the new Enterprise is authorized to increase fees in the future without any cap.  This will increase costs for businesses that sell liquor, as well as businesses that manufacture or do whole-sale distribution of liquor. As an enterprise, it will not be funded by the general fund and will not be subject to the same level of oversight by the State Legislature. The lack of a revenue cap and prolonged periods between audits have the potential to cultivate an unaccountable organization that will further burden Colorado businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell liquor.

HB24-1453 Relocation of the CLIMBER Act

SCWCC Stance: Support

Funding and support are critical to small businesses in establishing a stable workforce and future planning, as well as encouraging an entrepreneurial environment in Colorado Springs. HB24-1453 supports these objectives by providing a long-term lending source for small businesses. 

SB24-106 Right to Remedy Construction Defects

SCWCC Stance: Support

A conscientious contractor, through diligent rectification of issues, effectively expedites the closure of outstanding matters without the need for prolonged waiting periods. This proactive approach compels companies to isolate the risk by creating separate business entities in an effort to mitigate the cost of insurance and risk. . Additionally, significant hurdles confront large-scale multi-family developers in procuring cost-effective insurance coverage, resulting in inflated construction costs that are transferred to housing units, consequently constraining the pool of viable contractors for such endeavors.

HB24-1230 Protections for Real Property Owners

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

Ensuring Coloradans have access to high-quality, well-constructed, and affordable housing is important. However, the current housing shortage directly results from the Construction Defects laws that encourage litigation against homebuilders. This bill would further disincentivize homebuilders from doing business in the state by limiting avenues to fix construction defects and expanding the window for litigation.

HB24-1325 Tax Credits for Quantum Industry Support

SCWCC Stance: Support

Colorado is only one of 2 states recognized by the Federal government for quantum computing technology, with Elevate Quantum as the non-profit lead for the consortium.  The state is estimated to invest up to $193M in quantum technology over the next 10 years.  The bill provides credits for facility construction but also for technology investments.

HB24-1330 Air Quality Permitting

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

This bill will discourage Colorado’s Oil & Gas industry from continuing to invest and operate in the state.  The Oil & Gas industry is the single largest source of tax revenue ($1.9 billion) and employs over 200,000 Coloradans. Despite its low contribution to emissions and ozone pollution, the bill seeks to fundamentally change the permitting process for Colorado’s oil & gas industry as it redefines what qualifies as a “major” and “minor” emitter, putting many small operations at risk of hefty fines and administrative burdens. It will dramatically slow the ability of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to process permit applications by requiring aggregate Air Quality Modeling for all permits, including emissions-reducing modifications.

HB24-1338 Cumulative Impacts & Environmental Justice

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

The SCWCC is not opposed to the new Environmental Task Force Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) but has concerns about other parts of the bill. Industry leaders fear it could drive manufacturing jobs out of state and increase emissions from importing products. Stricter regulations on Colorado’s oil refineries might increase the state’s reliance on external refined petroleum sources, which may increase prices for CO residents. Uncertainty surrounds how local emissions limits will be set and whether they’ll unfairly target compliant industries under the Clean Air Act.

SB24-159 Mod to Energy & Carbon Management Process

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

The bill seeks to end any new oil & gas permits in CO by 2030 as well as adopting rules that include reductions in the total number of oil and gas wells covered by new permits issued in 2028 and 2029. It significantly expands liability for current and former owners of oil and gas wells by imposing joint and several liability, extending liability beyond their own operations to include any mitigation of adverse environmental impacts under jurisdiction of the Commission. If it passes, this bill is expected to significantly reduce, and then over time, cease oil and gas drilling in CO, with reductions in employment and taxes paid. 

SB24-020 Alcohol Beverage Delivery & Takeout

SCWCC Stance: Support

The Women’s Chamber strongly supports SB24-020 Alcohol Beverage Delivery & Takeout, as it enables small restaurants and caterers to earn extra income while streamlining the catering process and alleviating transportation challenges. This initiative, stemming from Covid-era adaptations, not only boosts revenue for businesses but also underscores the resilience and adaptability of our dining industry amidst evolving safety considerations.

HB24-1014 Deceptive Practice

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

The Women’s Chamber is taking a stance of opposition against HB24-1014 Deceptive practice because Colorado already ranks poorly nationwide in terms of private lawsuits against businesses, and this bill is predicted to exacerbate the situation further. Introducing this legislation may heighten the risk and frequency of litigation against businesses, potentially burdening them with additional legal challenges and financial strains.

HB24-1041 Stream lining tax filing timelines

SCWCC Stance: Support

The Women’s Chamber is taking a stance of support for HB24-1041 Stream lining tax filing timelines, because the bill simplifies the tax filing process for small businesses, which currently face monthly filings, even for minimal tax amounts. With only three categories to report, the streamlined system not only eases the administrative burden on businesses but also accelerates payment processing for the state, promoting efficiency and reducing bureaucratic overhead.

HB24-1005: Health Insurers Contract with Qualified Providers

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

The Women’s Chamber is taking a stance of opposition against HB24-1005: Health Insurers Contract with Qualified Providers due to concerns about its potential impact on the Colorado business climate, particularly regarding health care and health insurance decisions. The legislation must carefully balance the imperative for affordable and accessible primary care with the escalating health insurance premiums affecting individuals and employers across the state.

HB24-1008 Wage Claims Construction Industry

SCWCC Stance: Oppose

The Women’s Chamber is taking a stance of opposition against HB24-1008 Wage Claims Construction Industry because it disproportionately targets the construction industry despite representing less than 10% of initial wage complaints and witnessing a decline in wage claims over recent years. Additionally, the legislation would impose undue pressure on general contractors (GCs) to request payment bonds from small firms, potentially excluding them due to financial constraints and incentivizing GCs to internalize the work, harming small businesses. Moreover, it creates a perverse incentive for subcontractors to withhold payment from their employees, transferring financial liability to GCs and disrupting the industry’s delicate financial dynamics.

HB24-1175 Right of First Refusal

SCWCC Stance: Opposition

The SCWCC advocates for innovative, data-driven approaches to Colorado’s affordable housing challenges. However, this bill risks disrupting the real estate market by causing delays and increased costs for rental properties. It may also deter businesses from investing in multifamily rental properties due to added selling restrictions. In its current form, the SCWCC opposes the bill as it threatens the stability of the multifamily housing market.

The SCWCC Advocates for YOU

The SCWCC believes that what is good for Colorado businesses – including the growth of jobs and economic expansion within the local economy – is positive for the women leaders established and emerging within it.

Public Policy Committee activities
for the 2024 Session

Core Criteria

The SCWCC advocates for women in business and aims to maintain a strong relationship with elected officials, regardless of political affiliation.

The SCWCC considers public officials as our partners; we must be non-partisan and aim to avoid advocating for or endorsing individual candidates.

The SCWCC believes that what is good for Colorado businesses – including the growth of jobs and economic expansion within the local economy – is positive for the women leaders established and emerging within it.

The SCWCC will consider the best interests of its membership when determining public policy positions.

The SCWCC has particular interests relating to issues affecting its partners across the Front Range of Colorado. The five guiding principles/pillars when considering a Women’s Chamber position on an issue shall be its impact on:

  • Business (impacts to employers, regulation requirements, etc.)

  • Jobs (burdens vs. opportunities for employers, job growth, key industries, etc.)

  • Economy (broad competitive appeal of the Colorado marketplace)

  • Business Climate (safety, crime, cost of living, health, education, etc.)

  • Women (issues specific to women in business and the members of the SCWCC)

Issues that touch upon multiple core criteria shall have increased importance for our organization. The level of action recommended shall be in proportion to the number of criteria the issue touches.

For additional information and to reach the committee, email publicpolicy@scwcc.com