DENVER—Today, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce released its 2023 policy platform for the upcoming legislative session. The platform, which focuses on the major priorities and issues for the business community in the 2023 legislative session, names housing, sustainability and economic competitiveness as the Chamber’s policy pillars for the upcoming year.
The Denver Metro Chamber’s policy leaders are available for interview and comment, including the Chamber’s president and CEO, J. J. Ament; the Chamber’s vice president of government affairs, Adam Burg; and executive director for the Colorado Competitive Council, Rachel Beck.
“The Chamber is excited to share our policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session,” said Adam Burg. “Over our long history, no organization has better represented the Colorado business community than the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. We know that 2023 could bring a variety of challenges and opportunities to Colorado businesses, and we’re ready to continue our long-standing tradition of being the preeminent advocate and voice for business under the Gold Dome.”
The Chamber released the following for their 2023 policy platform:
Sustainability
The Chamber firmly believes that clean air and water benefit all Coloradans, and we can meet environmental goals with reasonable, well-developed policies that don’t sacrifice a thriving economy for environmental extremism. Proposals that reflect the political and economic realities of our community – such as funding the transition toward new technologies while emphasizing the importance of natural gas, reexamining and revitalizing Colorado water law for current times, incentivizing the use of public transit, and expanding market-based approaches toward the use of renewable energy – create a Colorado where businesses and residents can thrive together.
Housing
Due to elevated prices and rising interest rates, the affordability of purchasing a home is at its lowest point in more than 33 years. In just the past seven years, the cost of purchasing a home has doubled, with half of that increase occurring over the last two years. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Colorado is the ninth least affordable state for housing.
Colorado has failed to build enough housing to keep up with demand. In the Metro Denver area, the deficit ranges between 64,000 and 129,000 units. Seven counties in the Metro Denver area have housing deficits, and 98% of all Coloradans live in a county with an aggregate housing supply shortage.
The Chamber supports not just the development of affordable housing, but housing for all Coloradans. We believe in policies that allow local governments and developers to build and preserve not only designated affordable homes, but also homes for those in the “missing middle” income brackets and beyond. Policies focused on increasing housing supply – such as construction litigation reform, reviewing and revising outdated land use and zoning policies, increasing sustainable and viable access to capital, and ensuring competitive housing markets – create a Colorado where residents can live where they work, simultaneously investing in their communities and their family’s financial security.
Economic Competitiveness
The Chamber hears more and more from members, executives and site selectors about concerns regarding where Colorado is headed when it comes to policy. They worry that the cost and regulatory burden of doing business in our state is on the rise. The Chamber emphasizes how crucial it is to prioritize our economy and workforce as we continue pandemic recovery efforts. It inherently believes that businesses want the best for their employees and their community, and that a robust workforce is necessary to create thriving neighborhoods and cities.
Ensuring Colorado has the talent to fill available jobs and meet employer demand is a key priority for the Chamber. Young, highly educated and skills-based workers populate Metro Denver. The region’s combination of health, family and career opportunities makes for a balanced life that’s nearly impossible to match. Through unique, innovative efforts led by the Metro Denver EDC, such as TalentCO, we enhance the regional economy via the expansion and retention of primary jobs and capital investment.
The Chamber also believes it should collectively focus its efforts on policies that will lead to a sustainable workforce and healthy business climate – such as investing in K-12 and higher education, better aligning resources to address crime and homelessness, breaking down barriers of entry to employment, and focusing on workforce development initiatives while also fostering tax friendliness and a reasonable regulatory environment. These policies help Colorado grow and attract a well-educated and productive workforce, which fosters vibrant, diverse communities across our state.
To view the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s full 2023 policy platform, visit: https://denverchamber.org/policy/2023-policy-platform/
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
For 155 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver EDC, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, and the Colorado Competitive Council. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.