State Legislation

This bill extends the PUC commission through 2037. The commission regulates sectors including electricity and natural gas utilities, transportation carriers, and telecommunications providers. It is composed of 3 full-time commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who oversee regulations that influence critical infrastructure development and consumer rates.

This bill extends the Public Utilities Commission while introducing provisions that may increase costs and administrative complexity across regulated sectors. For utilities, we are looking at how expanded securitization authority and cost recovery mechanisms could shift financial risk in ways that ultimately affect employers and ratepayers. Additionally in the energy utility space, we believe requirements to utilize third-party administrators for certain programs may reduce operational flexibility and increase costs. Additional reporting obligations, penalties, and compliance requirements for transportation and telecommunications providers further compound regulatory burden. Targeted revisions are necessary to avoid duplicative requirements, limit cost increases, and preserve operational flexibility.

This bill would create a new state enterprise fee to charge a $2,300 per‑worker fee to large employers who have many employees on Medicaid, unless those employers offer affordable health coverage to workers who put in 20+ hours/week. It defines “large employer” for the fee as organizations with 500+ supported workers (employees enrolled in Medicaid) and lists exemptions (e.g., nonprofits, public employers, franchisees, or those with union contracts that include health coverage). As introduced, the aim is to offset Medicaid costs and push big companies to insure more part‑time and lower‑wage workers.

This bill imposes a significant new per-employee fee on certain employers, increasing labor costs and creating financial pressure for businesses operating with narrow margins. The structure of the policy may incentivize adjustments to employee hours to avoid the threshold, leading to workforce inefficiencies and reduced scheduling flexibility. Additional reporting requirements, penalties, and compliance obligations further increase administrative burden and legal exposure. Collectively, these provisions raise operating costs, distort workforce management decisions, and create barriers to business growth and job creation.

HB26-1330 would loosen and update the rules for “entertainment districts,” which are special areas where people can walk around with alcoholic drinks purchased from participating businesses. The bill removes the 100-acre size cap and lowers the minimum premises size for participating businesses from 20,000 to 5,000 square feet—potentially broadening eligibility for smaller venues. It also gives local governments more control over when these districts can operate and makes clear that only businesses with the proper licenses on the designated area can sell alcohol for consumption there.

This bill expands flexibility within locally designated entertainment districts enabling broader participation by businesses.

Increased eligibility can support greater foot traffic, coordinated events, and localized economic activity. These changes create opportunities for business engagement and community activation.

This bill would bar payment card networks from charging swipe fees on the sales‑tax portion of a card transaction. It also prevents the payment of card networks from getting around the ban by raising other network fees. There are exemptions based on issuer‑size (≤$60B in assets) that create different rules across cards and networks.

This bill sets a patchwork set of rules that complicates point of sale (POS) payment processing and imposes costly system changes on payment networks and financial institutions. By prohibiting swipe fees on the sales-tax portion of transactions and restricting how networks can adjust other fees, the policy would significantly reduce interchange revenue that helps fund payment infrastructure and electronic payment security. The resulting revenue loss could also reduce consumer benefits, including free or low-cost checking accounts, credit availability, and popular credit card rewards like airline miles and hotel nights.

Additionally, airlines and financial institutions operate within comprehensive federal regulatory frameworks. As a result, federal preemption may apply, creating uncertainty regarding how the policy would impact airline transactions and potentially leading to regulatory conflicts, consumer confusion, or litigation.

Creates a Retail Theft Prevention Advisory Board in the Attorney General’s Office and a grant program to fund law‑enforcement investigations, technology, training, and data‑sharing around organized, felony‑level retail theft and gift‑card fraud.

The bill enhances and streamlines enforcement against organized retail theft by strengthening partnerships with law‑enforcement agencies without imposing additional regulatory requirements on retailers. This coordinated framework is designed to support business operations by improving store safety, reducing shrink‑related financial losses, and creating a more secure and reliable customer experience.

The bill limits the alternative minimum tax credit, requires organizations doing businesses in Colorado to add back the federal executive‑compensation deduction, and tightens net‑operating‑loss rules (carryforward cut to 10 years; annual use capped at 70% for new NOLs), while creating a new family tax credit funded by these changes.

This bill is one of three that would raise taxes on business to fund a new refundable family tax credit. The total tax increase that would result from the passage of these bills would exceed $150 million. While the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (“TABOR”) guarantees a public vote on any such tax increase, these bills take advantage of a loophole that voter approval isn’t required if the revenue does not generate a NET increase in state revenue. Whether this loophole is constitutional or not will have to be settled through litigation should the bills pass. In any event, these three tax increase bills at least violate the spirit of TABOR in that they would raise taxes substantially without voter approval.

The bill eliminates several tax benefits such as expanded interest deductions, full bonus depreciation, immediate domestic R&D expensing, and certain property‑expensing provisions beginning in 2027. These changes would increase taxable income for many Colorado businesses, potentially slowing product upgrades and expansions, and leading to higher consumer prices as companies adjust to higher state tax burdens.

This bill is one of three that would raise taxes on business to fund a new refundable family tax credit. The total tax increase that would result from the passage of these bills would exceed $150 million. While the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (“TABOR”) guarantees a public vote on any such tax increase, these bills take advantage of a loophole that voter approval isn’t required if the revenue does not generate a NET increase in state revenue. Whether this loophole is constitutional or not will have to be settled through litigation should the bills pass. In any event, these three tax increase bills at least violate the spirit of TABOR in that they would raise taxes substantially without voter approval.

This bill creates a new refundable family tax credit and funds it by eliminating the longstanding sales and use‑tax exemption for most downloadable software beginning in 2027. This change could result in higher prices for individual and business consumers for software and digital subscriptions.

This bill is one of three that would raise taxes on business to fund a new refundable family tax credit. The total tax increase that would result from the passage of these bills would exceed $150 million. While the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (“TABOR”) guarantees a public vote on any such tax increase, these bills take advantage of a loophole that voter approval isn’t required if the revenue does not generate a NET increase in state revenue. Whether this loophole is constitutional or not will have to be settled through litigation should the bills pass. In any event, these three tax increase bills at least violate the spirit of TABOR in that they would raise taxes substantially without voter approval.

This bill limits the use of arbitration agreements by voiding class action waivers in employer-employee and merchant consumer contracts and disqualifies arbitrators or arbitration organizations that demonstrate patterns of favoring one type of party.

This bill is pre-empted under existing Supreme Court precedent. Furthermore, it disparately impacts small and mid-sized businesses like retailers and restaurants by extending legal proceedings and capping financial exposure. Also, it could impact employee/claimant privacy as court proceedings are public and arbitration proceedings are generally confidential.

This bill would require buildings with restrooms open to the public to install at least one baby‑changing station on each floor (in gendered or all‑gender restrooms), and post gender‑neutral pictograms and entrance signage showing where they’re located.

This bill would impose new installation/retrofit and ongoing upkeep/signage costs, potential space and layout changes to accommodate the units, and added compliance oversight. It has no exceptions for businesses that already have separate private rooms for parents to care for their babies.

This bill makes several changes to property and lodging taxes across the state. It moves away from market-based property valuation to include non-traditional income streams to assess value. The bill also allows municipalities to impose additional lodging taxes.

This bill would significantly increase the tax burden on hotels, resorts, and other lodging businesses across our state by artificially inflating property valuations including net rental income and resort fee income as part of the property valuations. Allowing municipalities to impose additional lodging taxes, also creates major cost increases on lodging, creates additional compliance burdens, and will make Colorado less competitive as a travel and business destination.

The bill would decriminalize in state commercial sexual activity among consenting adults by repealing state prostitution-related crimes, and it also preempts local bans, while keeping pimping and coercive trafficking illegal.

This bill removes community safeguards without creating a clear regulatory framework. The resulting oversight gap could contribute to public health issues, further straining emergency departments and local public health programs that would bear the added costs. These impacts also create a reputational risk for Colorado business climate, affecting recruitment, talent retention, and overall business investment in the state.

This bill caps a transportation network company’s (TNC’s) permitted “take rate” at 20% of the fare and prohibits any fees that would raise the total take above this threshold. As a result, customers may experience fewer promotions, longer wait times, reduced service areas, or higher fares during peak periods as platforms adjust to their operating models.

The bill imposes direct regulation on platform revenue and pricing structures, limiting the flexibility of surge‑pricing practices and reducing available resources for safety measures, operational support, and innovation; impacts felt most acutely in low‑density or off‑peak service areas.

This bill requires employers to submit a Temperature‑Related Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (TRIIPP) to the Department of Labor for workers exposed to extreme temperatures. As businesses implement these requirements, customers may experience adjusted schedules, slower service, or higher prices during periods of extreme heat or cold.

This bill continues to impose additional planning, monitoring, training, and reporting requirements. This leads to introducing new costs and potential penalties beyond existing OSHA guidance, with particularly significant impacts on outdoor, logistics, and construction operations.

The bill prohibits the use of broadly defined “surveillance data” in automated systems to determine individualized prices or wages, establishes civil penalties and a private right of action, and designates violations as deceptive trade practices. As a result, customers may lose access to targeted discounts and dynamic pricing options that typically help reduce costs during off‑peak periods.

The bill introduces legal exposure for widely used data‑driven tools such as dynamic pricing and algorithmic scheduling thereby discouraging innovation, limiting customer‑oriented pricing strategies, and increasing cost‑management challenges for sectors operating with narrow margins.

Directs regulators to set strict emissions limits for certain power plants with compliance as soon as practicable after Dec. 31, 2030, requires utility reporting, and permits financing orders for compliance costs- pressure that can translate into higher rates and reliability trade-off for customers.

This bill requires stricter emissions limits on certain power plants and allows utilities to finance compliance costs. These mandates increase operational and capital pressures on the electric system, which can translate into higher costs for consumers. For energy-intensive industries, this means a greater rate of uncertainty, reliability constraints, and higher overall energy costs—making long-term investment and expansion much more challenging.

Requires new utility processes for third‑party and concurrent interconnection studies, allows third‑party interconnection upgrades, changes cost‑timing, and adds annual adjustments to certain community‑solar credits.

This bill restructures third-party and concurrent interconnection studies, changes cost-timing and adds annual adjustments to certain community-solar credits. The proposed study “window” and clustered queue system increase the risk of cost shifting, longer timelines, and unpredictable upgrade expenses. For Colorado businesses, that means higher project risk, less certainty in energy planning, and fewer dollars available for growth, hiring, and investment.

The bill limits the alternative minimum tax credit, requires organizations doing businesses in Colorado to add back the federal executive‑compensation deduction, and tightens net‑operating‑loss rules (carryforward cut to 10 years; annual use capped at 70% for new NOLs), while creating a new family tax credit funded by these changes.

While framed as revenue-neutral, the bill effectively raises taxes on businesses to fund a new tax credit, shifting resources within the tax code without voter approval. By requiring organizations to add back executive compensation deductions and tighten net-operating-loss rules, the bill increases state tax burdens and restricts startups and growing businesses from offsetting profits in future years. Together, these changes remove essential tools businesses rely on to manage cash flow, reinvest in growth, and plan multi-year investments.

The bill eliminates several tax benefits such as expanded interest deductions, full bonus depreciation, immediate domestic R&D expensing, and certain property‑expensing provisions beginning in 2027. These changes would increase taxable income for many Colorado businesses, potentially slowing product upgrades and expansions, and leading to higher consumer prices as companies adjust to higher state tax burdens.

By eliminating these tax tools, the bill significantly raises taxes on businesses, to generate new tax revenue earmarked to only serve a select group of individuals. This shift may reduce employers’ capacity to improve and maintain their products, support wage growth and investment, and weaken Colorado’s competitiveness for capital‑intensive and innovative industries.

This bill creates a new refundable family tax credit and funds it by eliminating the longstanding sales and use‑tax exemption for most downloadable software beginning in 2027. This change could result in higher prices for individual and business consumers for software and digital subscriptions.

Eliminating this longstanding software‑tax exemption effectively imposes a new tax on individuals and businesses. The resulting increase in compliance and tax obligations would be particularly burdensome for small firms that develop, sell, or rely on software, limiting their ability to raise wages or invest in their local communities.

HB26-1207 would require private businesses with 100 or more employees to publicly submit the same demographic workforce data to the Colorado Secretary of State that they already confidentially provide to the federal Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Organizations already submit demographic workforce data confidentially to the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). This information is not publicly released at the employer level. This bill creates an additional state‑level public reporting mandate which raises employee confidentiality, privacy, data security and other public‑records‑related risks.

This bill increases regulatory oversight of “large-load data centers,” defined in the bill as facilities with projected electrical demand above a specified megawatt threshold (commonly 20 megawatts or greater) that require significant new transmission or generation infrastructure. The bill requires increased reporting on projected energy usage, grid impact studies, infrastructure planning coordination with utilities, and may authorize cost-sharing or rate design mechanisms tied to high-load customers.

Data centers represent significant capital investment, high-wage employment, and long-term economic diversification opportunities for Colorado. Imposing additional regulatory layers or disproportionate cost allocations on a targeted industry sector risks undermining economic competitiveness relative to peer states.

HB26-1091 establishes new data privacy requirements on homeowners’ insurance carriers operating in Colorado. The bill regulates how insurers collect, store, use, and share customer information, including underwriting data, claims history, property risk assessments, and modeling inputs.

Prescriptive restrictions on underwriting data and modeling tools could limit insurers’ ability to accurately assess risk. Compliance may require substantial system redesigns, vendor contract revisions, cybersecurity upgrades, and new reporting infrastructure for carriers, reinsurers, brokers, and third-party analytics providers.

This bill expands employer workers’ compensation insurance coverage requirements to include all contract and subcontract workers.

Expanding mandatory coverage classifications creates significant compliance burdens especially for organizations relying on contract and subcontract workers. These compliance triggers could increase premiums, administrative oversight, and potential litigation exposure related to worker classification disputes. For small and mid-sized employers, higher mandated insurance costs reduce flexibility to invest in hiring, wage growth, and business expansion.

This bill would require certain businesses to collect, maintain, and potentially submit expanded emissions records to state regulators, increasing reporting obligations tied to air quality compliance.

Additional recordkeeping mandates add operational complexity and compliance costs for businesses already operating under extensive federal and state air quality regulations. Expanding documentation requirements without modernizing or streamlining existing processes risks creating duplicative oversight, inconsistent enforcement, and regulatory uncertainty.

The bill strengthens legal protections for critical infrastructure facilities in Colorado, including energy, water, telecommunications, and transportation systems. The bill increases penalties for individuals who damage or interfere with these facilities.

Reliable infrastructure is foundational for economic activity, public safety, and regional growth. Strengthened protections reduce risks of operational disruption, protect employees and communities, and support business continuity across sectors. The Chamber supports policies that safeguard essential infrastructure assets and reinforce long-term economic stability and investor confidence in Colorado.

This bill excludes insurers from the definition of victim for the purposes of criminal restitution. Insurers instead file civil actions against the offender to recover losses if the insurer has suffered because of a relationship with the victim.

As drafted, the bill creates a blind spot for certain victims-- particularly insurers -- who play a critical role in compensating losses resulting from fraudulent conduct. The Chamber supports an amendment to ensure that insurers and other affected parties remain eligible for restitution.

HB26- 1119 lets local governments tax land and buildings at different rates, which can lower costs for some property owners or, depending on local decisions, increase project costs for developers.

SB26-078 modernizes administrative and operational frameworks across Colorado’s public higher education system, improving how institutions manage data, budgets, and industry partnerships. By streamlining outdated requirements and providing greater flexibility, the bill enables colleges to respond more quickly to workforce demands, strengthen job-ready academic programs, and support businesses seeking a skilled and competitive talent pipeline.

This bill aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability between the Colorado Department of Higher Education and other public institutions, while preserving legislative oversight and protecting student privacy. This is tackled by submitting fiscal information sooner, removing work restrictions, creating data advisory groups, and by updating how big construction projects are planned.

SB26-078 modernizes administrative and operational frameworks across Colorado’s public higher education system, improving how institutions manage data, budgets, and industry partnerships. By streamlining outdated requirements and providing greater flexibility, the bill enables colleges to respond more quickly to workforce demands, strengthen job-ready academic programs, and support businesses seeking a skilled and competitive talent pipeline.

Currently 4-year higher education institutions are barred from offering concurrent enrollment off campus— even when courses meet all statutory concurrent enrollment criteria.. This bill allows off campus courses to be included in concurrent enrollment programs when they meet requirements of an accredited agency.

Concurrent enrollment enables high school students to earn both high school and postsecondary credit for the same coursework, helping accelerate degree completion, reduce overall college costs, and expand access to higher education. HB26-1078 expands student access, strengthens the talent pipeline, and helps address workforce shortages without altering the integrity or standards of the concurrent enrollment program.

HB26-1118 creates the Colorado-Ireland Trade Commission, giving businesses a structured channel to access Irish markets, pursue new trade and investment opportunities, and engage in cross-border economic discussion.

The bill supports companies seeking partnerships or expansion abroad by improving connectivity with Irish markets and investment networks. It also provides a mechanism for Colorado businesses to participate in international economic discussions and benefit from ongoing educational, cultural, and commercial collaboration.

This bill would require investment owned electric utilities to establish a First Allotment of Residential Electricity service (FARE) program. This program would grant a minimum amount of electricity at a marginal cost rate lower than the standard residential rate, with utilities having to define usage thresholds, pricing and enrollment processes for income qualified customers. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) must approve the proposal upon determining the program is in the public's interest, which is undefined.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes SB26-002 because it imposes a permanent discounted‑rate mandate that injects regulatory uncertainty and increases the likelihood of indirect cost‑shifting onto other customers. It adds yet another layer to an already complex utility landscape where The State of Colorado requires private, investor-owned utilities to evaluate securitization, a financing tool that spreads large system costs over time using state‑authorized bonds. This further signals future rates could depend increasingly on regulatory decisions rather than market fundamentals

This bill would ban the sale, distribution, and use of many common rodenticides and rodent glue traps across Colorado, allowing only tightly limited use during a declared public‑health emergency, and it requires professional pest services to prioritize non‑chemical prevention and trapping methods. It also requires businesses to disclose when they are using rodenticide for public health matters

SB26-062 significantly limits proven, effective pest-control tools relied upon by grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, and other commercial facilities to protect public health, food safety, and property. Rodent infestations require rapid and reliable mitigation. Restricting access to commonly used rodenticides and glue traps would slow response times and reduce the ability of businesses to address active infestations, particularly in dense urban areas and older buildings where rodents are more prevalent. The DMCC supports balanced, science-based policies that protect wildlife while preserving businesses’ ability to maintain safe, sanitary environments for workers and consumers. SB26-062 does not adequately strike that balance and would ultimately impose higher costs on businesses and consumers without demonstrable public health benefits.

This bill would give the Attorney General new authority over a wide range of health‑care deals, including requiring 60 days’ advance notice, coupling state submissions to federal filings, empower the AG to block transactions that “may” lessen competition or harm consumer welfare, expand hospital/nonprofit transaction oversight, and add doctor financial‑relationship disclosures to patients.

SB26-041 raises significant concerns because it would substantially expand the Attorney General’s authority over a wide range of routine health-care transactions, including affiliations, investments, and restructurings that are often necessary to maintain financial stability and access to care. The bill’s broad scope and vague review standards create uncertainty for providers, investors, and lenders. SB26-041 also duplicates existing federal and state regulatory review processes without clearly demonstrating added consumer protection, while the expanded disclosure requirements introduce additional operational complexity without evidence of improved patient outcomes. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports balanced, predictable oversight that protects consumers while preserving access, innovation, and investment in Colorado’s health-care system. SB26-041 does not strike that balance.

This bill creates a Colorado Nuclear Workforce Development & Education Council housed at the Colorado School of Mines, and it sets up a grant program to help colleges build or expand nuclear engineering and related training programs using private gifts, grants, or donations, not state general funds.

This bill strengthens Colorado’s economic competitiveness by enabling a skilled workforce training program for the emerging nuclear energy sector. Nuclear energy can be part of the “all-of-the-above" approach to meeting Colorado’s [clean?] energy goals. By leveraging private funding and housing the effort at the Colorado School of Mines, the bill supports high-wage, high-skill job creation, attracts private investment, and reinforces Colorado’s leadership in energy innovation-without relying completely on state general funds.

This Bill lets cities create special zones around transit where they can use future state sales tax growth to help pay for transit improvements. It also offers new tax credits to build affordable housing in those areas.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports HB26-1065 because it leverages targeted, market-based incentives to catalyze development in transit-oriented areas, unlocking economic activity on underutilized land while strengthening Colorado’s transportation and housing infrastructure. By encouraging higher-density development near existing and planned transit, the bill promotes more efficient land use and supports long-term regional growth. HB26-1065 stimulates private investment in areas well-positioned for redevelopment, but they face financial or regulatory barriers. Increased development near transit hubs creates a multiplier effect, driving commercial activity, supporting local businesses, and expanding employment opportunities, while also improving access to jobs and services for residents. These investments can reshape local sales and property tax dynamics by broadening the tax base and generating sustained revenue over time, depending on the structure of designated investment zones.

This bill is designed to remove certain zoning and local approval barriers for housing projects on land owned by nonprofits, schools, transit entities, and housing authorities. It requires housing developments on these “qualifying properties” to be approved through a more standardized administrative process and that to be treated no more restrictively than similar housing in the same area.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports HB26-1001 because it addresses one of the most significant barriers to Colorado’s long-term economic competitiveness: an inadequate supply of housing. By expanding opportunities for residential development, this legislation helps alleviate supply constraints that drive up housing costs, limit workforce mobility, and impede business growth across the Denver metro region. HB26-1001 modernizes restrictive local zoning frameworks, historically limiting development, even in areas where demand for housing clearly exceeds supply. By reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and providing clearer pathways for development on qualifying properties, the bill enables the market to respond more effectively to housing demand. While the legislation does not impose specific price controls, increasing overall housing supply is a critical and proven mechanism for stabilizing costs over time and improving access for workers at a range of income levels.

Currently, a board of county commissioners (board) may not appropriate general fund money from ad valorem taxes for multijurisdictional housing authorities or other housing authorities established in statute. The bill removes this prohibition and allows a county to use ad valorem tax revenue to support housing authorities and various workforce housing developments. In addition, the bill makes CO’s middle income housing tax credit transferable to a qualified individual/corporation without owning an interest in a qualified project.

This bill expands Colorado’s ability to address housing shortages by allowing counties to invest general fund revenue, including ad valorem tax revenue, in housing authorities and workforce housing initiatives, thereby increasing local flexibility to fund housing development. The bill also strengthens the middle-income housing tax credit by allowing credits to be transferred and claimed by taxpayers who do not own an interest in a qualified housing project, a change that broadens investment participation and encourages new housing construction. Together, these updates improve housing availability and support long-term economic growth.

The bill requires employers to take additional steps to protect the health and safety of workers, above those specified by federal standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, applied under Colorado law. It grants the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment authority to adopt additional rules to maintain or enhance workplace protections if federal standards are weakened or if no federal standard exists. The bill authorizes the attorney general, the division, labor organizations, or aggrieved individuals to refer concerns to authorities, file civil actions, and seek statutory damages or penalties for violations, with collected penalties credited to the Workplace Health and Safety Fund for use by the division.

This bill creates significant administrative and compliance burdens that disproportionately impact small businesses, which make up the majority of employers in Colorado. The requirements to maintain workplaces free from recognized hazards, comply with evolving standards, and navigate enforcement actions expose businesses to potentially high penalty costs. Tracking and implementing these standards, particularly as federal rules change or the division adopts new regulations, can be complex and resources intensive. These obligations may divert limited resources away from business operations and growth, ultimately placing an outsized burden on Colorado employers.

The bill expands pricing disclosure requirements for delivery service platforms by requiring clear and conspicuous disclosure of all fees—including flat, variable, and percentage-based fees—and concise explanations of their purpose. For goods, including groceries, platforms must display a comparison of the on-app price and the in-store price both at the item-selection stage and on a subtotal page prior to checkout, including cumulative comparisons for all goods selected. The bill also prohibits charging unreasonably excessive prices to “captive consumers”—defined as consumers at locations, such as airports, hospitals, and event venues, where sellers of ancillary goods or services face no competition.

This bill imposes prescriptive and operationally burdensome requirements on delivery service platforms that may increase costs, reduce service availability, and diminish consumer convenience. The bill also relies on subjective standards tied to “unfair” or “unconscionable” pricing, creating legal uncertainty and litigation risk. Collectively, these requirements may discourage participation in delivery platforms, limit retailer options, and lead to higher prices, producing outcomes contrary to the bill’s stated intent.

This bill establishes prescriptive pricing standards and compliance requirements that may increase operating costs and create legal uncertainty for businesses that sell goods and services across Colorado. Sports and entertainment venues, festivals, hospitals, and event operators rely on flexible pricing models to manage variable demand, staffing, and significant overhead costs. Restricting this flexibility may reduce vendor participation, limit service options, or result in lower-quality offerings for consumers. Over time, increased compliance burdens and could discourage businesses and events from operating or expanding in Colorado, resulting in higher costs and fewer options for consumers.

The bill would eliminate Colorado’s 81-year-old Labor Peace Act, removing the requirement for a second election after a workplace unionize before all employees could be required to pay union dues or fees regardless of whether they want to join the union.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes any efforts to unravel the Labor Peace Act, which has been a key component of Colorado’s economic success for decades. This hinders Colorado’s competitiveness, removes an employee’s autonomy, and comes at a cost the employer has to take on. The Chamber believes that protecting the Labor Peace Act is essential to supporting businesses and workers and ensuring that Colorado remains a competitive and attractive place to work and do business.

This bill restates the purpose of the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit program to allow the economic development commission to authorize new credit awards through the state income tax year 2032. The credits enable certain employers to receive credit against their income taxes if criteria are met. This credit puts an emphasis on creating new jobs in Colorado.

Allowing new credit awards ensures job stability in Colorado continues, and employers aren't the ones taking a hit when it comes to creating new jobs. Furthermore, the State Auditor will measure the effectiveness of the credits, ensuring the credit goes to job creation and that the taxpayer is being given these valuable credits.

Currently, the achieving a better life experience state income tax deduction (ABLE deduction) expires on December 31, 2025. The bill extends the ABLE deduction until December 31, 2030. The bill specifies that the purposes of the ABLE deduction are to provide support to individuals with disabilities and their families and to provide an incentive for individuals with disabilities and their families to set aside money in an account to cover future disability-related expenses. ABLE accounts allow individuals to save without jeopardizing essential benefits like Medicaid and SSI, but without this program, they are restricted to just $2,000 in assets—an arbitrary limit that creates unnecessary financial instability. The program encourages employment by allowing individuals with disabilities to work and contribute without fear of losing benefits, increasing economic participation and workforce diversity

The Chamber supports SB25-302 because it strengthens workforce participation and financial independence for individuals with disabilities, including many veterans, by extending the ABLE tax deduction. Removing barriers to savings and employment enables more Coloradans to contribute to the economy without jeopardizing critical benefits, supporting a more inclusive and diverse labor force. This policy aligns with the Chamber’s commitment to economic growth by empowering individuals to work, save, and participate fully in our communities and workforce.

The bill amends statute enacted by last year’s SB24-205, Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence.

The Chamber opposes SB25-318 unless amended, due to serious concerns about the bill’s timing, complexity, and lack of clarity. Colorado’s economy is already showing signs of strain—from declining startup activity to outmigration—and businesses need certainty, not rushed and unclear regulations, especially around critical technologies like AI. While we appreciate the sponsor’s efforts to engage stakeholders, the current proposal leaves too many unanswered questions about compliance, costs, and feasibility. We urge a more deliberate approach that supports innovation while ensuring responsible, workable guardrails for AI development.

The bill sets limits on how much health insurance carriers can reimburse health-care providers for services covered under state employee and small employer group health plans. It prohibits providers from billing patients for any unpaid balance beyond their in-network coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. The bill also requires insurance carriers to share cost and quality data with state regulators and mandates an annual report on savings from these reimbursement limits, with a portion of those savings allocated to a new health care fund. Additionally, it funds a study on expanding similar reimbursement limits to school districts, higher education, and local government employee health plans, with findings due by January 1, 2028.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1174 due to the potential economic impact of shifting costs from state to private sector employees. This approach sets a concerning precedent by attempting to address a longstanding state funding issue in a way that could disrupt the health care market, especially at a time when Medicaid funding remains uncertain, and hospitals are already under financial pressure. We encourage policymakers to explore solutions that improve affordability without placing additional strain on businesses, employees, and the broader health care system.

The bill establishes the Provider Stabilization Fund to support safety net healthcare providers that serve low-income and uninsured patients at reduced or no cost. Funding will be distributed based on the proportion of uninsured patients each provider serves, with the fund receiving $25 million in FY 2025-26, $20 million in FY 2026-27, and $15 million annually thereafter from the unclaimed property trust fund, along with other possible appropriations and donations. The fund will be managed by a new support board and is intended to draw down additional federal matching funds, with annual reporting requirements to ensure oversight and transparency.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports SB25-290 as a pragmatic solution to stabilize healthcare access for low-income and uninsured Coloradans by bolstering safety net providers that serve these vulnerable populations. By drawing funding from a portion of interest earnings on the unclaimed property trust fund and leveraging additional private and federal dollars, this bill creates a sustainable pathway to protect essential health services. Supporting the strength of Colorado’s healthcare infrastructure is not only a moral imperative—it’s a business issue that directly impacts workforce stability, economic mobility, and community wellbeing.

A bill that modifies construction defect claims by restricting them unless they result in actual property damage due to code violations, loss of property use, bodily injury, or imminent safety risks. It also rolls back recent tenant protections by repealing updates to warranty of habitability laws, limiting the attorney general’s ability to enforce them, and eliminating mandatory mediation and extended eviction timelines for tenants receiving cash assistance. Additionally, it requires that any new energy codes adopted after January 1, 2026, must be cost-effective, ensuring their economic benefits outweigh implementation costs.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports SB25-131 as a necessary step toward addressing Colorado’s housing crisis by reducing barriers that discourage residential development. By requiring proof of actual damage for construction defect claims and rolling back overly burdensome regulations, the bill helps create a more balanced legal environment that encourages builders to invest in housing projects.

This bill establishes the Crash Prevention Enterprise within the Colorado Department of Transportation to reduce vehicle collisions—especially those involving wildlife or vulnerable road users—by funding targeted infrastructure and safety improvements. Beginning in 2026, a crash prevention fee will be added to every auto insurance policy in the state, collected by insurers and used to fund these specific safety initiatives. Revenue from the fee will primarily support grants for local and tribal governments or public/private entities to implement crash-reduction projects, with penalties for insurers that fail to collect and remit the fee.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB25-1303 due to its creation of a new enterprise and fee that would raise insurance premiums for Colorado residents. While we appreciate the intent to reduce collisions and protect vulnerable road users, the bill imposes additional financial burdens on policyholders at a time when affordability is already a growing concern. We believe these infrastructure and safety improvements should be funded through existing transportation resources that are already effectively managed by CDOT—not through another added cost to Coloradans.

This bill seeks to prevent the violation of the civil rights of individuals in Colorado based on their immigrant status by repealing the affidavit requirements for undocumented individuals seeking in-state tuition or identification documents, prohibiting jail custodians from delaying a defendant’s release to aid immigration enforcement once bond conditions are met, and expanding the ability to petition courts to vacate guilty pleas for lower-level offenses like class 3 misdemeanors, traffic misdemeanors, and petty offenses. It also extends personal information protection requirements to political subdivisions and their employees while repealing certain annual reporting mandates. The bill also sets access and privacy standards for public childcare centers, schools, healthcare facilities, higher education institutions, and libraries, with penalties for violations. Additionally, it broadens restrictions on sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities and limits federal access to non-public areas of detention facilities unless related to a federal crime or authorized by a warrant. The bill also updates privacy standards under the Colorado Privacy Act by regulating the collection of precise geolocation data and limiting data collection to what is “reasonable” and “necessary”. Additionally, it extends civil arrest protections to individuals receiving treatment related to court proceedings and restricts unauthorized military forces from entering Colorado without the governor’s permission.

The bill aims to safeguard the civil rights of individuals based on their immigration status, raising initial concerns about conflicts between state and federal enforcement. With amendments to the bill, including language aimed at eliminating potential requirements and liability for private businesses, we have moved to an Amend position.

This resolution challenges the constitutionality of Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), arguing that it removes essential legislative authority from elected representatives and gives it directly to the voters. Lawmakers argue this shift undermines Colorado’s “republican form of government,” which is required by both the U.S. Constitution and Colorado’s Enabling Act. As a result, the General Assembly is directing legal counsel to file a lawsuit to determine whether TABOR violates these constitutional principles by limiting the legislature’s ability to assess taxes and allocate funds.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HJR25-1023, as it initiates a taxpayer-funded lawsuit aimed at dismantling the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR)—a voter-approved policy that Coloradans continue to overwhelmingly support. While we recognize TABOR has its flaws, we believe any reform should be pursued through thoughtful amendments and inclusive dialogue, not through litigation funded by the Colorado taxpayers. Colorado residents shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for both sides of a lawsuit designed to undermine their own individual rights without a clear or democratic path forward.

The bill aligns municipal sentencing with state-level offenses by capping incarceration periods, prohibiting mandatory minimums unless a comparable state offense exists, and limiting consecutive sentences to twice the highest charge. It strengthens defendants' rights by ensuring municipal defense counsel receives the same access to case information as state-level counterparts and expands the ban on flat-fee payments for indigent defense beyond domestic violence cases. Additionally, it increases transparency by requiring all municipal court proceedings to be open to the public, with virtual access for in-custody hearings and a mandate for timely case resolution.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill as it preempts local authority and limits the ability of cities to address crime effectively. By capping municipal sentencing and restricting local discretion, the bill removes key tools communities need to maintain public safety. Local governments must retain the flexibility to respond to the unique needs of their communities.

A bill that establishes that certain evidence of unfair or deceptive trade practices constitutes a significant public impact. The bill clarifies that deceptive trade practice claims cannot be based solely on contract breaches, negligence, or professional service disputes unless they involve material misrepresentation, failure to disclose key information, or actions beyond providing advice or opinion. These changes help define the scope of deceptive trade practice claims and their applicability in legal disputes.

The Denver Metro Chamber continues to oppose lowering the standard required to file a claim under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. We ardently support safeguarding consumers; however, the Chamber believes that overturning the over 25-year-old Colorado Supreme Court decision and thus, significantly lowering the threshold of what is legally required to prove harm, will incentivize predatory litigation tactics and frivolous lawsuits. As a result, this legislation would lead to major economic harm for Colorado’s business community.

The bill amends wage and hour laws to expand the definition of "employer" to include individuals with at least 25% ownership, with language added to exempt a minority owner who has fully delegated control of day-to-day operations. It prohibits payroll deductions below the minimum wage and allows penalties for unpaid wages to be waived under certain conditions. It increases the wage claim adjudication threshold to $13,000 by 2026, with inflation adjustments from 2028. The division must determine if violations are willful and publish violators' names. It also notifies relevant government bodies if violations are not remedied within 60 days. Employers who misclassify employees face fines up to $50,000 for repeat violations. The bill reduces the wait time for paying employees from the wage theft enforcement fund from six months to 120 days. It strengthens protections against employer retaliation, includes immigration status misuse as intimidation, and allows for attorney fees in discrimination or retaliation cases.

The Denver Metro Chamber is shifting its position from amend to oppose on HB25-1001 due to its increased legal risks, administrative burdens, and potential chilling effect on business growth. While we support fair wage policies, this bill broadens employer liability, encourages costly litigation, and imposes significant compliance challenges—particularly for small and mid-sized businesses. Additionally, the new dispute fee provisions (including the extension beyond 90 days) and steep penalties for wage violations, create legal uncertainty, burden employers with legal costs, and discourage fair resolution efforts. Given these unresolved concerns and the direction of the bill, we can no longer support it in its current form.

The bill sets conditions for childcare centers owned by institutional investment entities to receive state funding. These centers are limited to a maximum waitlist fee of $25 and are required to post accurate pricing on their websites. Institutional investment entities must allow centers to retain property ownership and give at least 60 days' notice before laying off employees or changing enrollment policies after acquiring a center. These requirements apply to entities owning five or more childcare centers.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1011 as it imposes targeted regulations on private equity-owned childcare centers, limiting growth and reducing available childcare spots across the state. Instead of incentivizing the development of more childcare facilities, this bill creates barriers for investment, which is often essential for independent operators to break into a difficult industry, secure capital, and expand services. Additionally, requiring businesses to submit financial reports to the government sets a concerning precedent that could extend to other industries, ultimately discouraging investment in Colorado’s childcare sector.

The bill makes several changes to state tax expenditures, including increasing the percentage of a company’s workforce that must be in Colorado to qualify for certain insurance tax benefits. It limits or phases out several tax deductions and credits, such as the business personal property tax credit and alternative minimum tax credit, while extending or creating others, including a tax credit for seniors and contributions to childcare programs. Additionally, it modifies sales tax rules by taxing certain software and interstate telecommunications services and adjusts the enterprise zone tax credit by capping claims at $2 million starting in 2026. The bill also removes grants for property tax and heating assistance for low-income seniors, replacing them with a new income tax credit.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is in an amend position on HB25-1296, as its tax policy shifts could have significant unintended consequences for businesses and economic development in Colorado. While the bill is intended to be revenue-neutral, its impact is uneven—lowering income taxes while significantly increasing sales taxes, including a new software tax that could cost businesses hundreds of millions of dollars. Additionally, changes to the regional insurance tax credit could jeopardize major employers, disrupting a previous compromise and impacting job opportunities within the state.

The bill establishes two state-run insurance enterprises to address risks related to extreme weather and wildfires. The bill creates the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise, which would impose a 1.5% fee on homeowner’s insurance premiums to fund grants that help homeowners upgrade to more resilient roofing materials, reducing insurers' overall risk. The bill also creates the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise, which would provide reinsurance payments to insurers covering high-risk wildfire areas, requiring participation in exchange for market stability, and is funded through bonds and potential insurer fees. Additionally, the bill sets a homeowner’s insurance loss ratio threshold of 75% over three years, requiring insurers with excessive profits to lower rates by at least 5% annually.

The bill establishes two state-run insurance enterprises to address risks related to extreme weather and wildfires. The bill creates the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise, which would impose a 1.5% fee on homeowner’s insurance premiums to fund grants that help homeowners upgrade to more resilient roofing materials, reducing insurers' overall risk. The bill also creates the Wildfire Catastrophe Reinsurance Enterprise, which would provide reinsurance payments to insurers covering high-risk wildfire areas, requiring participation in exchange for market stability, and is funded through bonds and potential insurer fees. Additionally, the bill sets a homeowner’s insurance loss ratio threshold of 75% over three years, requiring insurers with excessive profits to lower rates by at least 5% annually.

A bill that makes significant changes to Colorado’s workers' compensation system by shifting the burden of proof in medical treatment disputes from injured workers to their employers or insurers. It also allows injured workers to choose out of network care and requires employers and insurers to adhere to state-mandated utilization standards when responding to medical treatment requests and clarifies that failure to do so could result in automatic approval of care—leading to increased costs for insurers, employers, and ultimately, individual employees.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1300 due to its sweeping and costly changes to Colorado’s workers' compensation system. By shifting the burden of proof to employers and insurers, allowing unlimited doctor changes, and enabling automatic approval of disputed treatments, the bill would significantly increase litigation and overall costs—ultimately impacting both businesses and employees. Historically, changes to workers' compensation have been carefully vetted, but this rushed approach lacks stakeholder input and could create instability in the system.

A bipartisan bill clarifies that construction professionals owe an independent tort duty of care to construct residential homes in a non-defective and reasonable manner, and that this duty is owed equally to original and subsequent residential home purchaser.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is in an amend position on SB25-185 as it seeks to clarify legal responsibilities for construction professionals following a specific appeals court decision. While we appreciate the bipartisan efforts, the current language needs refinement to ensure clarity and avoid unintended consequences. We appreciate the sponsor’s commitment to this issue and look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to refine the language while preserving the bill’s original intent.

The bill expands oversight of mergers, acquisitions, and affiliations involving healthcare, long-term care, and veterinary care entities by requiring parties to notify the attorney general (AG) at least 60 days before a transaction takes effect. The AG may review, investigate, and potentially block or unwind transactions deemed contrary to the public interest, with parties allowed to challenge such decisions in court. Additionally, entities involved in a transaction must submit annual reports for five years, and noncompliance can result in fines of up to $200 per day. The bill also introduces new disclosure requirements for healthcare providers referring patients to entities in which they or their family members have a financial interest.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes SB25-198 due to its far-reaching expansion of the Attorney General’s oversight on healthcare, long-term care, and veterinary care transactions. By creating one of the most restrictive hospital transfer laws in the country, this bill could freeze market activity, making it harder for struggling rural hospitals to merge or secure financial stability. Additionally, the sweeping regulatory expansion sets a concerning precedent for business mergers and acquisitions across industries, creating uncertainty for future investments in Colorado.

Starting in 2026, this bill allows for an increase of up to one percentage point in the health insurance affordability fee collected from insurance carriers, which will ultimately be passed down to Colorado residents. The additional revenue would be allocated to state-subsidized individual health plans, the reinsurance program, and other healthcare affordability initiatives. The bill also authorizes the enterprise to seek outside funding through gifts, grants, and donations to further support these efforts.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1297 due to its reliance on increasing fees that will ultimately raise costs for Colorado employers and employees. In 2020, the state attempted to address healthcare affordability by adding $60 per month to a family of four’s insurance bill, and this bill proposes yet another increase —further burdening businesses and individuals. Without continued federal support and a continued struggle with inflation, we urge policymakers to reevaluate a long-term strategy that balances affordability with Colorado’s economic realities.

The bill expands eligibility for property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing and tax credits to include embodied carbon improvements, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions in building materials and infrastructure projects. It adds these improvements to the Colorado New Energy Improvement District’s financing program and modifies the industrial clean energy tax credit to recognize them as greenhouse gas reduction measures.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports SB25-182 for its incentive-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in building materials and infrastructure projects. Expanding eligibility for PACE financing and industrial clean energy tax credits to include embodied carbon improvements gives businesses more flexibility in meeting greenhouse gas reduction standards. By broadening the options for sustainable construction, this bill encourages innovation and helps businesses adopt cost-effective carbon reduction methods.

The bill requires the Colorado Energy Office to establish a state utility on-bill repayment program, allowing utility customers to finance energy efficiency and electrification upgrades through their monthly utility bills. Large investor-owned utilities must submit plans for these programs to the Public Utilities Commission for approval. To fund the initiative, the state treasurer will issue a $100 million interest-free loan from the unclaimed property trust fund, to be repaid by 2045.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is actively working on HB25-1268 to ensure it does not create unintended consequences for Colorado’s housing market. While well-intended, this bill raises concerns about potential debt burdens tied to properties, which could slow home sales. We encourage further collaboration to refine the bill and prevent any negative impacts on homeowners and real estate transactions.

The bill requires employers to implement protections for workers who are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures at the worksite, including temperature mitigation measures, rest breaks, and temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans. This bill allows courts to impose penalties on employers found guilty of discriminatory, retaliatory, or adverse employment practices, including compensatory and punitive damages, however, includes a carve out on punitive damages if an employer can prove good faith efforts were made to comply with the law.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1286 as it imposes overly rigid temperature standards that go far beyond existing OSHA regulations, creating significant compliance challenges for employers. Colorado already adheres to federal workplace safety standards, and adding state-specific mandates could disrupt industries where temperature thresholds of 90 and 30 degrees are impractical. This bill would place an extreme burden on businesses, potentially halting essential operations and harming Colorado’s economy.

The bill imposes new restrictions on payment card networks, limiting their ability to set or adjust interchange fees, requires merchants to accept all cards from a network, or charge fees on disputed transactions before resolution. It also caps interchange fees for charitable contributions at 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards. Violations could result in civil lawsuits, with penalties including actual damages, attorney fees, and in cases of bad faith, triple damages.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1282 due to its unintended consequences, including a potential negative impact on Colorado’s tourism industry and local airports. With Colorado ranked 4th in the nation for reward program usage, this change would significantly reduce travel to the state, harming our $28.3 billion tourism industry, which supports 188,000 jobs. By limiting access to frequent flier miles, we threaten a reduction in travel to Colorado, ultimately harming businesses that depend on tourism and weakening a critical pillar of the state's economy.

The bill prohibits a retailer from selling or displaying certain fuel products without labeling fuel products with the statement "Combustion of this product releases greenhouse gases known by the state of Colorado to be linked to global heating and significant health impacts." Failure to comply would be considered a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill due to its overly prescriptive labeling requirements and excessive penalties under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. Mandating specific language, font, and size creates compliance challenges, increases costs for business and consumers, and exposes retailers to disproportionate legal risks. While the Chamber supports consumer transparency, this rigid and punitive approach fails to consider industry standards or practical implementation.

The bill targets the construction of middle market housing through a series of proposals, including: 1) establishing a rebuttable presumption that a property is defect-free if a state agency or local government has issued a certificate of occupancy, 2) requiring a claimant to file an affidavit of a third-party licensed professional indicating the negligence or other action, error, or omission of the construction professional, and 3) requiring that a construction professional must offer to settle the claim or specify why the defect does not require repair. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations to 10 years, raises the homeowner association approval threshold for filing claims from 50% +1 to 65%, and allows a construction professional that meets specified requirements to use certain affirmative defenses.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce appreciates the effort to address Colorado’s housing crisis highlighted in HB25-1272 and supports meaningful construction defect reform to encourage middle-market condo development. While we are encouraged by the bill’s inclusion of a rebuttable presumption and an increase in the homeowner’s association approval threshold for filing claims, some challenges remain that may limit developer participation and usage. We look forward to working with stakeholders to continue refining the bill to ensure we reach our shared goal of effectively increasing housing supply while maintaining necessary legal protections for homeowners.

The bill updates energy benchmarking and performance standards for certain building owners, requiring compliance with new 2040 emissions targets set by the Air Quality Control Commission. It also authorizes alternative compliance mechanisms for building owners to allow for compliance with certain performance standards and significantly increases civil penalties owed for a violation of the benchmarking and performance standard requirements. Additionally, this bill would establish a Building Decarbonization Enterprise to provide financial and technical assistance, funded by an annual fee at quadruple the rate of the current fee, on covered building owners. Lastly, it exempts local governments with an approved wildfire resiliency code from energy code adoption requirements.

The Denver Metro Chamber has shifted from an oppose to support on HB25-1269 following key amendments that strike a more practical balance between environmental goals and economic reality. By restoring the original fine structure, allowing compliance with local standards, and removing the 2026 timeline, the bill reduces regulatory uncertainty and gives building owners more tools for compliance. The compromise supports long-term business stability, ensures continued economic competitiveness, and provides a clearer path for the commercial real estate sector to meet decarbonization targets without sacrificing growth.

The bill prohibits businesses from using automated decision systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), to set individualized prices for consumers or wages for workers based on surveillance data, such as personal characteristics or behaviors. It allows the attorney general, district attorneys, or affected individuals to take legal action against violations, seeking civil penalties, damages, and attorney fees. Additionally, violations are classified as deceptive trade practices under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

HB25-1264 combines two distinct issues—AI-driven consumer pricing and employee wage setting—into a single bill, creating regulatory uncertainty for businesses. Currently, the bill broadly defines "surveillance," which could unintentionally restrict standard business practices, such as performance reviews and customer experience assessments, that help maintain service quality. Additionally, many businesses use AI to offer personalized discounts based on consumer behavior, a common and beneficial practice that enhances the customer experience. A more tailored approach would better balance consumer and worker protections with practical business operations.

A bill that establishes whistleblower protections for workers involved in developing and/or training foundation artificial intelligence models, preventing retaliation from the developer for reporting safety or security concerns. Developers must provide notice of these rights, create an anonymous internal reporting process, and update workers monthly on the status of their concerns. Violations could result in legal action, with potential penalties including reinstatement, greater of either $10,000 or lost wages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Whistleblower protections serve a critical function to safeguard employees, however, HB25-1212 imposes overly broad provisions that introduce severe, downstream risks to a developing industry within Colorado. The proposal allows for disclosures based on a broadly defined “substantial risk,” even when no laws have been violated, creating the potential for misuse and the exposure of proprietary information. Additionally, the harsh penalties—including punitive damages, a $10,000 minimum fine, and attorney's fees—place an undue burden on businesses within an evolving industry.

The bill increases legal requirements for construction professionals by mandating extensive documentation disclosures, including personal information, plans, maintenance recommendations, and insurance policies. It also requires an automatic 8% prejudgment interest for prevailing claimants and voids contract provisions that limit group lawsuits. Additionally, the bill expands the ability of homeowner associations to pursue construction defect claims.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1261 as it increases legal requirements for construction professionals by mandating extensive documentation disclosures, further deterring much-needed condominium construction in Colorado. By requiring extensive disclosures, automatic prejudgment interest, and expanded legal avenues for homeowner associations, the bill would drive up costs and liability risks for builders. This approach mirrors last year’s strategy and, if enacted, would only worsen Colorado’s struggling housing market.

The bill requires owners or operators of facilities that emit air pollutants to maintain compliance records and make them publicly accessible on their websites. In addition, the bill mandates the owners or operators of such facilities to maintain records that will help the public determine whether the owner or operator is in compliance with rules establishing applicable air quality control regulations. The bill also mandates that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provide a link on its website directing the public to these records.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB25-1241 due to excessive costs and redundant reporting requirements. Requiring businesses to publish emissions data online imposes significant expenses, especially on smaller operations that may have to create websites to comply. The sheer volume of data makes publishing it effectively nearly impossible, and rather than adding costly and unworkable mandates, policymakers should focus on improving transparency within existing regulatory systems.

The bill introduces a four-installment payment option for property taxes on qualifying residential and improved commercial properties, beginning in the 2025 tax year. Taxpayers can pay in four equal installments due in February, April, July, and September, provided at least half is paid by April 30. The bill also extends the tax lien sale notice deadline from September 1 to October 15 to align with the new payment schedule.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports HB25-1199 as a practical solution to help property owners, including small businesses, better manage property tax payments by allowing for quarterly payment opportunities instead of every six months.

A bill that consolidates damages provisions for individuals with disabilities who experience an unfair housing practice, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights with the general protections under the Colorado anti-discrimination act (CADA) for all protected classes. The bill standardizes available remedies, including compliance orders, monetary damages, attorney fees, and a $5,000 statutory fine per violation, while capping noneconomic damages at $50,000, with reductions for small businesses that promptly correct violations. Additionally, it extends the deadline for filing public accommodation or discriminatory advertising complaints from 60 days to one year.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports efforts to ensure fairness and accessibility but has concerns about HB25-1239’s potential impact on business. Extending the complaint filing window and introducing noneconomic damages could lead to increased litigation risks, particularly for small employers with limited resources. We urge lawmakers to adopt amendments providing businesses with 90-day cure period, a waiver for those who can demonstrate proof they are actively making progress on the necessary changes, and exemptions for businesses with fewer than 10 employees to maintain a fair balance between accountability and economic sustainability.

A bipartisan bill to extend the advanced industry investment tax credit from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2031, while expanding eligibility in 2028 to include manufacturing sector small businesses that meet specific economic criteria. It revises the definitions of "qualified investment" and "qualified investor," clarifying eligibility restrictions and excluding certain individuals and entities, such as C corporations and major stakeholders, from receiving the credit. Additionally, the bill reduces the annual credit cap from $4 million to $2.5 million starting in 2027 and requires qualified small businesses to report on the credit’s impact for five years, with penalties for noncompliance.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports the extension of the advanced industry investment tax credit but has some remaining concerns about the proposed reduction in the annual credit cap. Given the program’s role in fostering innovation and economic growth, we believe maintaining the $4 million cap is an important component in enabling this program to reach its full potential before adjusting. We encourage policymakers to provide more time for the program to grow and maximize its impact on Colorado’s advanced industries and manufacturing sector.

A bill that standardizes apprenticeship requirements for public and energy sector public works projects, mandating that contractors and subcontractors performing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or construction laborer work participate in a registered apprenticeship program with specified graduation standards. It also aligns enforcement provisions, requiring lead contractors to identify and certify all subcontractors, include apprenticeship requirements in contracts, provide compliance documentation, and allow waivers under certain conditions. Additionally, the bill permits government agencies to require project labor agreements for public projects, which, if applied to all construction work, would exempt the project from apprenticeship and prevailing wage requirements. Finally, it allows counties to opt into state apprenticeship and prevailing wage requirements, collaborating with state agencies through intergovernmental agreements for enforcement and implementation.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has concerns about HB25-1130, as it could create unintended barriers for Colorado’s construction industry by limiting workforce flexibility and increasing compliance costs. While we support efforts to strengthen workforce development, the bill’s rigid apprenticeship requirements and provisions for Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) may reduce competition and make it harder for businesses to meet labor demands. We encourage policymakers to consider a more balanced approach that expands apprenticeship opportunities without restricting workforce access or increasing costs for employers and taxpayers.

The bill prohibits utilities from sharing personal data with third parties or government entities, except for assistance programs, and expands restrictions on utility service disconnections, preventing shutoffs during extreme weather, poor air quality, or medical emergencies. Additionally, it requires that funds collected from the energy assistance system benefit charge are used year-round for direct bill payment assistance, including for low-income customers.

The bill prohibits utilities from sharing personal data with third parties or government entities, except for assistance programs, and expands restrictions on utility service disconnections, preventing shutoffs during extreme weather, poor air quality, or medical emergencies. Additionally, it requires that funds collected from the energy assistance system benefit charge are used year-round for direct bill payment assistance, including for low-income customers.

The bill prohibits using an automated driving system to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless an individual who holds a commercial driver's license is in the vehicle, monitors the vehicle's driving, and intervenes, if necessary, to avoid illegal or unsafe driving. The penalty is $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense; and doubles for each subsequent offense.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes HB25-1122, as it creates unnecessary barriers to automated vehicle (AV) innovation and commercialization in Colorado. By requiring a commercial driver to be present in AV-operated trucks and imposing steep fines, this bill would effectively eliminate AV development in the state, stifling technological advancement and economic growth. This legislation, and its fine structure, sets a troubling precedent that could discourage investment in Colorado’s tech and transportation sectors.

The bill requires local governments with minimum wages higher than the states to implement a tip offset for food and beverage employees, ensuring tipped wages account for the difference between state and local minimum wages plus $3.02. Starting October 1, 2026, local governments can adjust the tip offset but cannot reduce it below $3.02 or decrease it by more than $0.50 annually. This measure aims to balance local wage increases while maintaining a standardized approach to tipped wages.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports implementing a tip offset to help restaurants manage rising local minimum wages while maintaining a sustainable pay structure for all employees. By allowing restaurants to offset the wage difference, this bill helps ensure they can fairly compensate both front-of-house and back-of-house staff without compromising operations. As labor costs continue to climb, this policy provides much-needed relief to struggling restaurants and supports the long-term stability of Colorado’s hospitality industry.

A bipartisan bill that expands the economic development rate program, which allows investor-owned utilities to offer reduced electricity rates to commercial and industrial customers that relocate or expand in Colorado. It increases the maximum duration of the discounted rate from 10 to 25 years, raises the allowable load for qualifying projects from 20 to 40 megawatts, and streamlines the application process by requiring commission approval within 120 days. Additionally, the commission must consider the broader economic benefits of these projects for other utility customers and the surrounding community.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports this bipartisan bill to enhance Colorado’s economic competitiveness by expanding the Economic Development Utility Tariff. Expanding the parameters of the existing program will make the tariff significantly more usable, enabling its ability to be utilized to attract business investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth. By ensuring investor-owned utilities can effectively offer this tariff and requiring consideration of broader economic benefits, this bill strengthens Colorado’s ability to compete for large-scale business expansions.

A bill requiring Colorado businesses with over $1 billion in annual revenue to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, with reporting for scope 1 and 2 emissions starting in 2028 and scope 3 emissions in 2029. Disclosures must be independently verified by a third-party auditor, ensuring accuracy and transparency. Noncompliant entities may face civil action from the attorney general or a district attorney, with penalties of up to $100,000 per day for violations.

The Denver Metro Chamber recognizes the importance of sustainability but has serious concerns about the feasibility of this bill, particularly the requirement to track Scope 3 emissions, which includes countless indirect factors such as employee commutes and supply chain materials. With a broad reach that includes parent companies outside Colorado, this mandate would be incredibly difficult to implement. Imposing such regulation would not only burden businesses and threaten Colorado’s economic competitiveness and ability to attract and retain major employers, but also fails to account for significant sustainability work already underway.

A bill to expand the definition of anti-growth laws to include any local restrictions that impose additional limitations on specific housing types beyond existing zoning or building codes. It reaffirms that local governments cannot enforce population growth limits or restrict residential development permits unless temporarily following a declared disaster emergency. Additionally, it clarifies when local governments must allow private property owners to pay a fee instead of dedicating land if their property does not meet dedication standards.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports efforts to expand availability and affordability of housing in the state, and this bill helps ensure that local restrictions do not create unnecessary barriers to development. By preventing unattainable land dedication requirements and allowing for a wider variety of housing types, this legislation promotes greater flexibility in meeting community housing needs. We believe this approach aligns with our commitment to increasing housing supply and fostering sustainable growth across the region.

This bill requires businesses to disclose the full total price of goods, services, or property, excluding government and shipping charges, and prohibits misrepresenting or omitting pricing details. Landlords are banned from requiring tenants to pay certain fees, and food and beverage establishments must disclose mandatory service charges and distribute them solely to nonmanagerial employees. Violations are considered deceptive practices, and aggrieved individuals can file a civil action seeking damages of either three times the actual loss or $100-$1,000 per violation if not remedied within 14 days of a written demand.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports efforts to protect consumers from unfair business practices but is concerned that this bill will cause harm to industries operating in good faith. We are particularly concerned by the inclusion of a private right of action provision, which is often a vehicle for excessive litigation and predatory litigation practices against these sectors. We encourage bill sponsors to work with stakeholders to continue refining the legislation and address potential impacts while maintaining consumer protection goals.

The bill prohibits landlords, their agents, or subcontractors from using coordinators to restrict competition among dwelling units, engaging in coordinated pricing, or entering agreements that limit competition. Violations are considered illegal restraints of trade under the "Colorado State Antitrust Act of 2023" and are subject to penalties. Additionally, the Division of Housing must create a public education program to inform residents about the bill’s provisions.

The Denver Metro Chamber strongly supports the bill’s intent to prevent anti-competitive practices in the housing market and ensure fair pricing. However, the bill’s broad language raises concerns around unintended consequences, potentially setting precedents that could make it harder for businesses to operate in Colorado. We urge the bill sponsors to collaborate with the business community to refine the language.

The bill allows an institution of higher education or athletic association to compensate a student athlete for the use of the student athlete's name, image, or likeness. Under current law, a student athlete is prohibited from entering into a contract if it conflicts with a team contract. The bill repeals this prohibition and related provisions.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports this bill, as it responds to the changing landscape of student athletes, allowing universities to pay student athletes with self-generated dollars (not state funds), helping keep Colorado competitive. The legislation is expected to boost spending in sports-related industries and increase tourism and local activity, benefiting hospitality, retail, and services in surrounding communities.

A bill that focuses on the enforcement of certain landlord-tenant laws including, clarifying that the Attorney General has the power to initiate civil and criminal actions to enforce such laws as well as expanding this power to counties, cities and counties, and municipalities. In addition, the bill establishes a receivership mechanism as a remedy for violations by the landlord. This mechanism allows for the attorney general, counties, or municipalities to request a district court to appoint a receiver to manage multifamily residential properties when owners violate laws or regulations. The bill outlines the steps for appointing and terminating receiverships after a minimum of 180 days.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce suggests amending this bill to include a cure period, allowing landlords time to address violations before escalating to receivership. Additionally, we recommend raising the standards for appointing a receiver to ensure this action is reserved for severe, repeated violations. These changes aim to balance tenant protection with fairness for property owners, fostering an equitable regulatory environment.
     

A bipartisan bill to incentivize the deployment of wireless telephone infrastructure in the state by requiring the Colorado Broadband Office to implement a wireless telephone infrastructure deployment grant program. The bill allows for the broadband office to allocate high-cost support mechanism (HCSM) money for the grant program to help finance the deployment of wireless telephone infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

The Denver Metro Chamber seeks to amend HB25-1080. While we value the bipartisan effort to boost wireless infrastructure deployment, we recognize the broadband office has effectively allocated already scarce federal funding for rural broadband. We urge the bill sponsors to further collaborate with the broadband office to align efforts as they share a central objective.

A bill that tasks the Colorado School of Public Health with analyzing draft model legislation for implementing a single-payer, nonprofit, publicly financed, and privately delivered universal health-care system in Colorado, with a report due to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026. It also establishes the Statewide Health-Care Analysis Collaborative, a 20-member group of experts, legislators, and officials, to advise the school during the analysis.

The Chamber opposes HB25-045 due to concerns about its cost and redundancy. While the bill does not directly establish publicly financed healthcare, Coloradans rejected a single-payer system in 2016. Given the tight budget, funding this study diverts resources from other critical programs. Feasibility studies on publicly financed healthcare already exist in Colorado, making this effort unnecessary. Additionally, the proposed system conflicts with existing programs like the Colorado Option and reinsurance.

The bill authorizes the state treasurer to invest up to $50 million of state money in bonds that may have below-market interest rates that are issued by a quasi-governmental entity if the proceeds of the bonds are used for the creation of affordable for-sale housing that otherwise would not be created without the state's investment. Money from redemption of such bonds may be reinvested by the state treasurer for the same purpose.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports this approach to creating affordable for-sale housing as part of a continued effort to address the housing shortage and in-turn promote economic growth in the Denver metro area.

The bill expands the definition of an unfair and unconscionable act under consumer protection laws to include price gouging in the sale of necessities. It presumes price gouging if prices increase by 10% or more above the average price in the 90 days before the increase. "Necessities" are defined as goods or services essential for consumers' health, safety, and welfare.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce recommends amending the bill to adopt a higher standard for defining "price gouging" and narrowing the term "necessities" to a specific list for clarity and enforcement. The presumption of gouging with a 10% price increase over a 90-day average should be removed to allow for case-specific findings. Additional exceptions, such as allowances for seasonal pricing, increased input costs, and promotional pricing, are necessary to reflect market realities. These amendments will ensure a fair and balanced approach to regulating price increases outside of declared emergencies.

The bill would eliminate Colorado’s 81-year-old Labor Peace Act, removing the requirement for a second election after a workplace unionize before all employees could be required to pay union dues or fees regardless of whether they want to join the union.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposes any efforts to unravel the Labor Peace Act, which has been a key component of Colorado’s economic success for decades. In a recent poll of Colorado voters, 70% opposed eliminating the second vote and two-thirds opposed requiring paycheck deductions from workers if they did not want to join a union. The Chamber believes that protecting the Labor Peace Act is essential to supporting businesses and workers and ensuring that Colorado remains a competitive and attractive place to work and do business.

The bill removes the jurisdiction of state plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression boards over factory-built structures once the state housing board adopts related rules. By July 1, 2026, an advisory committee must develop regional building codes for these structures, which the board will adopt to supersede conflicting local laws unless local governments adopt the board's rules. The board will also establish rules for inspections, manufacturer accountability, and third-party design plan approvals.

We support streamlining regulation of factory-built structures, reducing regulatory barriers in order to lower costs and increase modular housing options. The bill will help speed approval processes to bring more housing to market faster and lower cost of housing construction to increase housing affordability, helping to address the state’s considerable housing challenges around affordability and availability.

A bill to establish a workforce advisory council to discuss and consider air quality control rules that impact workforce issues in affected industries. Additionally, the council will issue recommended standard procedures for the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Air Quality Control Commission to follow when conducting workforce impact analyses for inclusion in rule-making procedures.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports establishing a workforce advisory council, as it balances environmental protection with the economic realities of affected industries. By recommending standard procedures for workforce impact analyses, the council will enhance regulatory transparency and predictability, helping businesses adapt more effectively and bringing them to the table. This collaborative approach enables diverse perspectives to be better considered, promoting practical solutions that safeguard jobs and support sustainable economic growth.

The bill introduces two income tax subtractions from 2027 to 2038: one for capital gains from converting at least 20% of a business to employee ownership, and another for worker-owned cooperatives, up to $1 million of federal taxable income. It extends the tax credit for conversion costs to 2037, raises the credit rate to 75% from 2026, and increases annual credit limits. The bill also expands eligibility for the credit to nonprofits supporting employee-owned businesses, allowing them to claim up to 75% of their costs, capped at $167,000.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports the bill as it incentivizes employee ownership, which enhances business sustainability, productivity, and financial performance, contributing to long-term economic stability in Colorado. By promoting local wealth retention through worker-owned businesses, the bill boosts local economies and supports broader economic growth. Expanding tax credits to nonprofits and raising credit rates fosters innovation and encourages more businesses to adopt employee ownership models, aligning with the Chamber's goals of promoting a thriving, competitive business environment.

The bill creates a new refundable tax credit only if at least one qualified film festival with a multi-decade operating history and a verifiable track record of attracting 100,000 or more in-person ticket sales and over 10,000 out-of-state and international attendees (AKA Sundance) commences the relocation of the festival to Colorado by January 1, 2026. Upon relocation, for calendar years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2037, the maximum aggregate amount of refundable tax credits that any qualified global film festival entity is eligible to receive is $34 million and the maximum aggregate amount that all existing or small Colorado festival entities collectively may receive is $5 million.

Bringing the Sundance Film Festival Colorado is anticipated to drive economic activity, boosting tourism and stimulating local businesses across various sectors. The bill also supports smaller local festivals, fostering community and cultural development. The expected increase in visitor spending and long-term industry growth is anticipated to generate substantial tax revenues, providing a strong return on investment and enhancing Colorado's economic resilience and cultural reputation.

A bipartisan bill concerning Colorado’s state property taxes, SB24-233 makes reductions in valuations for residential and commercial property taxation beginning with the 2024 property tax year. Starting in 2025, the bill sets rates that impact schools and local government entities separately, and introduces a “Ref C” style local revenue growth limit equal to the local governmental entity's base year qualified property tax revenue increased by 5.5% for each year since the base year including the relevant property tax year. The limit does not apply to local governments that are home rule local governments, school districts, have not received voter approval to exceed the statutory 5.5% property tax revenue limitation, or have not received voter approval to collect, retain, and spend revenue without regard to the limitations in section 20 of article X of the state constitution. A local government may seek voter approval to waive the limit. The bill exempts 10% of the value of homes under $700,000 from taxation, gradually reducing that percentage for higher-value homes. The bill also lowers the assessment rate for non-K-12 revenue to 6.95%, while maintaining K-12 property tax revenue assessment rates at 7.15%

The Denver Metro Chamber closely monitored SB24-233. Finding practical solutions to address Colorado’s 2020 repeal of the Gallagher amendment and subsequent increase in property valuations and taxes is a priority for the Denver Metro Chamber. We continue to advocate for practical, implementable solutions that not only address the most recent 40% spike but protect against similar dramatic increases in the future. Senate Bill 233 presents a solution that is better than the status quo, and commercial rates will adjust meaningfully. However, residential ratepayers will not see a decrease in what they owe going forward – rather, their tax bill will not increase as much as it would have. The Denver Metro Chamber believes that there is still work to be done to ensure that Colorado residents remained protected and supported for the future.

The bill mandates upgrades to electric utilities to support state goals and standards, including data collection, cost caps, and customer options for interconnection. Utilities must plan for distribution system improvements, consult with affected communities, and ensure adequate staffing. Labor for projects must meet specific requirements and the bill establishes a grant program for line worker apprenticeships, funded by a transfer of $800,000. The commission will set rules and approve recovery of related costs through a grid modernization adjustment clause. Utilities must implement virtual power plant programs and file plans for undergrounding utility infrastructure by specified deadlines.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports SB24-218. This bill enables Xcel Energy to modernize energy infrastructure and address environmental concerns. By investing in the distribution system and collaborating with stakeholders, it ensures a comprehensive approach to meet evolving energy needs. This bill promotes transparency, job creation, and sustainability, setting a strong foundation for a resilient energy system. We urge legislative support for its long-term benefits to our communities and the environment.

A bipartisan bill that establishes requirements for the development of inclusive community solar capacity, also known as community solar gardens, by investor-owned electric utility companies. The bill requires utility companies with over 500,000 customers to make at least 50 megawatts of inclusive community solar capacity available, while companies with 500,000 customers or fewer must make 4 megawatts available. Under current law, a utility customer may subscribe to a portion of a community solar facility and receive a bill credit for their share of the community solar facility output. The bill lays out a number of new requirements for new community solar facilities, protections for subscribers of the facilities, subscription discounts for income-qualified subscribers of the facilities, and a standardized format of disclosures that must be provided to prospective subscribers. The bill also directs the commission to establish cost-sharing mechanisms for new facilities that are connecting to the utility's distribution system and reporting requirements for a utility regarding cost-sharing mechanisms and effectiveness.

The Denver Metro Chamber seeks amendments for SB24-207. This bill seeks to expand development of community solar capacity by investor-owned electric utility companies. While commendable in its intent, the introduced bill presents significant drawbacks for implementation. Community solar gardens are the most expensive way to bring new renewable energy online, and the legislation also drives increased energy costs through administrative, development and billing processes dictated through the bill. The Chamber supports amending the bill by streamlining and clarification of procedures and establishment of equitable cost-sharing mechanisms for new community solar facilities connecting to the utility's distribution system to ensure fair distribution of costs and efficient integration of renewable energy resources. By incorporating these amendments, we aim to optimize the effectiveness of community solar programs, ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy are accessible to all consumers while mitigating unnecessary costs and confusion.

The bill imposes a set of duties on each large hub airport in Colorado, which, as defined by federal law, only includes Denver International Airport, for accessibility-related functions. The airport shall monitor the completion and ongoing upkeep of compliance with the duties and functions according to the timelines established in the bill. An individual alleging damages resulting from a violation of the duties required by an airport may bring a civil suit against the airport and may seek a court order requiring compliance and any other remedy available under law.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB24-1452. We support accessibility and disability rights, but this bill unfairly penalizes Denver International Airport for violations beyond its control, as the airport in made up of many separate entities who are independently responsible for their own work. The inclusion of a private right of action risks frivolous lawsuits and diverts resources from genuine improvement efforts. These punitive measures hinder progress and lead to unintended negative consequences. Therefore, we oppose this bill's enforcement mechanisms.

The introduced bill prohibits a person from operating or expanding certain units that combust municipal solid waste and specifies exemptions to the prohibition. The bill also clarifies that combustion and combustion units do not meet certain standards established by state law or rules and changes current law to provide that synthetic gas produced by the pyrolysis of waste materials is not an eligible energy resource for the purpose of certain state-level renewable energy standards. Lastly, the bill also changes current law to specify that methane derived from the pyrolysis of municipal solid waste is not recovered methane that is a clean heat resource for clean heat plans.

The Denver Metro Chamber seeks amendments for SB24-150. Amendments in the House of Representatives significantly altered the bill's impact, raising major economic development concerns with businesses and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The state would be prohibited from incentivizing businesses using a combustion engine, which could devastate state support for key industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, microelectronics, and clean technology, and would be particularly harmful to efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel. The Chamber’s concerns with this bill are limited to the House amendments, and believes the bill should be restored to the Senate version.

The introduced bill makes modifications of the Regional Transportation District, including modifications to increase transit ridership and to promote district transparency and accountability. Other modifications include regional fixed guideway mass transit systems, changes to the current board, creating a transitional board from Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026; the creation of a new board; district elections and procedures; additional modifications to the statutes governing the board; the creation of a 10-year strategic plan. This bill also requires the district to make its annual budget and other specified budget information available to the public on its website in a format that is easy to access, understand, and navigate. It will repeal the requirement that a person pay rent at fair market value for use of a transfer facility. It will require the department to establish a mass transit bus driver training program; establish the coordination between transit providers and metropolitan planning organizations to propose and implement fixed-route transit service plans; and it authorizes the department to use the money that was designated for the development of the Burnham Yard rail property and instead use it for site preparation, site enhancements, planning, and facilitating a track alignment that preserves buildable land while promoting transit and rail capacity and increasing safety in connection with the development of the Burnham Yard rail property.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB24-1447. The Chamber agrees that changes to the RTD board size and selection process are needed, but does not support the changes to the board contemplated in HB 1447, and has taken an oppose position on the bill. However, we understand that the governance sections will be removed from the bill, and we look forward to seeing such changes so that other language focused on collaboration, strategic planning and support for economic development can progress.

As introduced, the bill requires a developer of a high-risk artificial intelligence system to use reasonable care to avoid algorithmic discrimination in the high-risk system. The developer of a general-purpose artificial intelligence model is required to create, maintain, and make available specified documentation for deployers who intend to integrate the general-purpose model into the deployer’s AI systems. Certain disclosures and information include: 1) enabling the deployers to understand the capabilities and limitations of the general purpose model; 2) disclosing the technical requirements for the general purpose model to be integrated into the deployers' artificial intelligence systems; 3) Disclosing the design specifications of, and training processes for, the general purpose model, including the training methodologies and techniques for the general purpose model; 4) Disclosing the key design choices for the general purpose model, including the rationale and assumptions made; 5) Disclosing what the general purpose model is designed to optimize for and the relevance of the different parameters, as applicable; and 6) providing a description of the data that was used for purposes of training, testing, and validation, as applicable. In addition, the bill requires the developer of an AI system that generates or manipulates synthetic digital content to ensure that 1) the outputs of the artificial intelligence system are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as synthetic digital content and 2) are disclosed to a consumer that the synthetic digital content has been artificially generated or manipulated. The Attorney General and district attorneys have exclusive authority to enforce this bill – and violation of the proposed legislation will be considered an unfair or deceptive trade practice. The bill includes a right to cure before bringing an enforcement action for the first year.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes SB24-205. This bill aims to tackle algorithmic discrimination and transparency in AI systems, but it faces significant hurdles. Colorado’s economy is made up of a wide set of unique industries, many of which leverage AI. Though the Denver Metro Chamber believes a regulatory framework to provide protections around new emerging technologies is valuable, we are concerned about the lack of state-specific stakeholder engagement that would consider Colorado-based businesses. In its introduced form, SB24-205 will hamper innovation and put Colorado at an economic disadvantage. In addition, we are concerned that centralizing execution through the state Attorney General’s office will lead to inconsistencies with enforcement, making it difficult for companies to navigate compliance. While the bill's objectives are laudable, the Denver Metro Chamber does not believe it is ready for advancement.

The bill establishes the Black Coloradan racial equity commission in the legislative department to conduct a study to determine, and make recommendations related to, any historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans that may be attributed to Colorado state practices, systems, and policies, and to identify measures that are consistent with the constitution to address those effects. The study includes historical research conducted by the state historical society, commonly known as History Colorado, and an economic analysis. At the conclusion of this study, the commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the governor about the study and make the report available on a publicly accessible webpage of the General Assembly's website. The report must include a description of the study's goals, the results of the historical research and economic analysis, and the commission's recommendations. After the commission submits the report, the commission shall work with any parties necessary to implement the recommendations in the report.

The Denver Metro Chambers supports SB24-053. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce believes that our region and state succeed when we have the full participation of everyone in the economy, and our vision is for the economic empowerment of every Coloradan. Identifying and understanding any barrier that prevents full participation is a priority. Several years ago, our Chamber worked with the Brookings Institution to identify many of these economic disparities in Colorado and in Metro Denver under our commitment called Prosper Colorado.  This bill provides a very similar pathway for even more resources for research and economic analysis on where gaps exist, how gaps are created, and what steps should be taken so that all businesses and individuals can thrive. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce believes that economic empowerment for every Coloradan will require concerted efforts, partnerships across sectors, economic and social research, and an authentic desire to see everyone succeed to their fullest potential.

The bill mandates the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission to establish rules by May 31, 2025, for a state dredge and fill discharge authorization program, overseen by the Department of Public Health and Environment. These rules must focus on minimizing and compensating for the impacts of dredge and fill activities, aligning with federal Clean Water Act guidelines. The Division of Administration within the department will administer authorizations for activities involving dredged or fill material discharge into state waters. It will issue individual and general authorizations, with specific conditions to mitigate adverse effects. Compensatory mitigation is required for impacts exceeding specified thresholds. Until the rules are enacted, the division will enforce existing Clean Water Policy 17 and may issue temporary authorizations under certain conditions, with a maximum duration of two years. Certain activities are exempt from authorization, and the definition of "state waters" includes wetlands. Additionally, the bill extends requirements for informing relevant state bodies and submitting mitigation proposals to applicants seeking permits or authorizations for water diversion, delivery, or storage facilities requiring approval from the United States.

The Denver Metro Chamber seeks amendments for HB24-1379. The bill aims to establish rules for a state dredge and fill discharge authorization program, but concerns remain within the regulated community due to insufficient clarity and predictability. To address these concerns, we urge sponsors to amend the bill for a clearer roadmap, including specifying where the program will be housed, ensuring adequate funding and realistic permitting timelines, clarifying criteria for authorizations, defining "state waters" to include wetlands, and providing exemptions for certain activities. These amendments are crucial to ensure effective protection of water resources and certainty for Colorado businesses.

The bill refers a ballot issue to the voters at the November 2024 statewide election to allow the state to keep and spend all revenue from the existing tax on the net proceeds of licensed sports betting (sports betting tax), including revenue in excess of the $29 million fiscal year estimate included in the 2019 ballot question as follows: All revenue from the sports betting tax up to $29 million annually, together with all revenue derived by the Division of Gaming in the Department of Revenue, will continue to be used to pay for the regulation of sports betting, to offset losses to other wagering revenue recipients, and to support responsible gaming, with any remaining money being transferred to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund; and all sports betting tax revenue over $29 million annually will be transferred to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund for water conservation and protection projects. If the majority of electors voting at the November 2024 statewide election vote against allowing the state to keep and spend all sports betting tax revenue as outlined above, then any tax revenue collected in excess of $29 million annually will be refunded to the licensed sports betting operations that paid the sports betting tax according to a reasonable method to be determined by the department of revenue.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports HB 24-1436. Proposition DD revenues are projected to exceed the $29 million TABOR cap as soon as this year, and every year going forward. Without a change to the law by Colorado voters, any revenues received above the cap must be returned. Colorado has critical, and historically underfunded, water needs. The Colorado Water Conservation Board has put these funds to good use, funding hundreds of projects all around the state, and through this “de-Brucing” measure, the state can allocate additional revenues to vital water initiatives, securing our state's water resources.

The bill creates a refundable state income tax credit that an employer may claim if the employer employs an apprentice for at least six months during an income tax year and either has a registered apprenticeship program or is an employer-partner of a registered apprenticeship program. The tax credit offers up to $6,300 for 6 months of employment plus up to $1,050 for each consecutive additional month of employment, for a maximum of up to $12,600 per apprentice per income tax year.

The Denver Metro Chamber seeks amendments for HB24-1439. We've supported initiatives in the past that aim to expand and scale registered apprenticeship opportunities through grants and tax credits. While we appreciate efforts to respond to feedback and ease the burden of this process, this bill presents challenges for unregistered and emerging industries to access and utilize this funding effectively. To truly enhance inclusivity and ensure that all industries can benefit from these opportunities, we urge the sponsors to amend the bill. Specifically, we recommend exploring ways to make the process more accessible and user-friendly for all stakeholders, particularly those in unregistered and emerging sectors. This may involve streamlining application procedures, providing additional support or resources, or considering alternative administrative structures that better accommodate the diverse needs of Colorado's workforce. By making these amendments, we can maximize the impact of this legislation and ensure that it serves as a catalyst for growth and opportunity across all industries.

The bill adds a provision to the procurement code that authorizes an applicable procurement official to select the most appropriate source selection method for a state procurement, even if a different source selection method is specified in statute. The new provision specifies that the procurement official has the discretion, if that official determines that the source selection method specified in statute is not the most appropriate source selection method for the procurement, to determine and use a different source selection method in the best interest of the state, given time requirements, financial considerations, and market conditions.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports SB24-196. This bill grants flexibility to state procurement processes, allowing officials to choose the best method for each situation. This promotes efficiency and adaptability, ensuring decisions consider time, finances, and market conditions. It modernizes procurement practices, prioritizing the state's interests while enhancing accountability.

The bill establishes the Stream and Wetlands Protection Commission within the Department of Natural Resources and mandates it to develop and manage a dredge-and-fill permit program for regulating the discharge of dredged or fill material into specified state waters. The program aims to ensure protections for state waters in alignment with federal Clean Water Act standards as of May 24, 2023. Additionally, a Stream and Wetlands Protection Division is created within the department to oversee the permit program's administration and enforcement. Until specific rules are implemented, the bill temporarily restricts the Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control Division from taking enforcement actions against activities involving the discharge of dredged or fill material into state waters, provided such activities maintain consistent protection of state waters akin to compliance with federal law before May 25, 2023. Penalties are established for violations of permits, rules, or enforcement orders under the program, with fines of up to $10,000 per day per violation. Furthermore, the bill directs a transfer of $600,000 from the Severance Tax Operational Fund to the Capital Construction Fund on July 1, 2024, to facilitate the bill's implementation.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports SB24-127. The Chamber agrees that a program is needed in order to protect state waters in a balanced and thoughtful way, and agrees with the approach of the legislation, which has a narrow scope, is appropriately funded, has clear requirements, and is aligned with the program started under the Obama administration.

The bill expands the affordable housing tax credit by increasing the credit amounts that the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority may allocate to qualified taxpayers. The bill also accelerates the credit by requiring that a qualified taxpayer claim 70% of the total amount of the credit awarded by the Authority in the first year of the credit period and claim 6% of the total amount of the credit awarded by the Authority in each of the second through sixth years of the credit period.

The Denver Metro Chamber is in support of HB24-1434. Housing is the top priority for Denver Metro Chamber this session, and the Chamber has supported this program in the past. The program has been successful, and the legislation will accelerate refunds, increasing its effectiveness.

A bipartisan bill that eliminates the liquor-licensed drugstore license, specifies requirements for a retailer to display beer and wine in a single location, and prohibits beer and wine retailers from selling alcoholic beverages greater than 14%. In addition, the bill removes the cap on the amount of alcoholic beverages a retailer can purchase from retail liquor stores. Lastly, the bill outlines new constraints for the delivery of alcohol including, 1) prohibiting beer and wine retailers from delivering alcohol beverages to another person licensed to sell alcohol beverages and 2) removes the prohibition on a retail liquor store delivering alcohol beverages to another retail liquor store.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB24-1373. This proposed legislation imposes excessive regulations, burdening businesses with restrictions on alcohol sales, including limitations on alcohol percentage, constraints on product display in stores, and a ban on retail purchases.

A bill that introduces new protections for unleased mineral interest owners in the pooling of mineral interests by the Colorado energy and carbon management commission. Currently, when two or more separately owned tracts are within an oil and gas drilling unit, current law allows the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission to enter a pooling order, pooling the mineral interests of those tracts, for the development and operation of the oil and gas drilling unit. This bill introduces new administrative requirements in the application, execution, or protest of a pooling order.

The Denver Metro Chamber is an amend position for SB24-185 to address requirements around the affidavit and the proposed shift to personal liability. The bill as written would place personal liability on employees instead of a company, creating legal issues and concerns. Current legal processes are proven to be efficient and effective for Colorado businesses. Changing to an affidavit and subjecting employees to personal liability would create a vacuum in the workforce, making it difficult if not impossible to find employees willing to fill these jobs.

A bill that seeks to build and fund multimodal surface transportation infrastructure projects, including rail projects. This includes imposing a “congestion impact” fee in maximum amounts of $3 per day on short-term rental vehicles or $2 per day on electric or hybrid electric vehicles. As a part of this effort, the bill specifies that the Regional Transportation District (RTD) extend construction and operations of its northwest rail fixed guideway corridor to include an extension of the corridor to Fort Collins as the first phase of front range passenger rail service. The bill would require the transportation enterprise to develop a new multimodal strategic capital plan that aligns with the 10-year transportation plan of the Colorado department of transportation (CDOT) and statewide greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals as well as assess and leverage federal money made available to the state on an ongoing basis.

The Denver Metro Chamber is in an amend position because while we find new infrastructure involving transportation critical, it's important to be thoughtful about its implementation. The bill raises questions around division of responsibilities amongst entities, the reliance on car rental fees, and leaves open questions around what happens with funding in the event that the state does not secure federal dollars. It is critical that the language of the bill reflects a clear path for delivering a transportation system that works for Colorado.

The bill creates the Colorado alcohol impact and recovery enterprise and board in the department of revenue to 1) collect a fee from manufacturers and wholesalers that distribute alcohol within Colorado; and 2) use the fee for alcohol and related substance use disorder prevention and recovery services/programs throughout the state. The bill would exempt small manufacturers and wholesale distributors of alcohol based on production and distribution level. The bill also requires the state auditor to conduct an audit of the enterprise in the 2030-31 state fiscal year and every fourth fiscal year going forward.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports proven and effective recovery efforts for residents struggling with addiction, however, funds already exist to support these efforts. We are concerned about the dramatic increase in funding that doesn’t account for the preexisting programming in this space, target efforts with demonstrated success, or provide clarity around spending goals.

The bill would require the Colorado Energy Office to solicit interest from local governments that are served by a dual-fuel utility in becoming a gas planning priority community. Once a local government expresses their interest, this would formally indicate their interest in working with the utility to mutually explore opportunities for neighborhood-scale alternatives projects. This project targets either decommissioning a portion of the gas distribution system or avoiding expanding the gas distribution system. The bill requires the utility to work with an approved community to identify neighborhood-scale alternatives projects in each community and then follow up with reporting on the implementation of any approved neighborhood-scale alternatives projects. The commission must allow the utility to recover costs incurred from the implementation of a neighborhood-scale alternatives project.

The Denver Metro Chamber is in an amend position on HB24-1370. The Denver Metro Chamber supports a free market approach to business, and have questions about whether this legislation could prohibit a Colorado business from choosing the fuel source that meets the needs of their operations. Additionally, it is essential that businesses have a clear path to compliance with all laws and regulations, and this bill raises questions of it will conflict with a utility's legal obligation to serve.

A bill that would repeal the severance tax exemption for oil and gas wells known as stripper wells, which produce on average less than 15 barrels of oil per day or 90,000 cubic feet or less per day of gas. Stripper wells are currently exempt from the state severance tax and this bill would repeal the stripper well severance tax exemption beginning in 2025.

The Chamber Opposes HB24-1367. We are concerned that the bill’s short runway for implementation would leave companies that operate these wells with insufficient runway to adjust to the change in tax burden, potentially having the effect of putting such companies out of business. Industries need appropriate time to adjust to changing regulations, and must have sufficient opportunity for compliance. Additionally, under TABOR, proposals for “a tax policy change directly causing [more than a de minimis] net tax revenue gain” to the state are required to go to the voters, and we believe questions about the constitutionality of the proposal and whether it is compliant with TABOR must be answered.

The bill would implement new requirements for local government to include climate action elements in their master plans, and would require state agencies to prioritize awarding grants that satisfy a list of criteria described in the bill. A climate action element must include climate-related goals, plans, or strategies and a description of any money from the federal, state, or a local government that a local government has received for the implementation of any of the plans or goals described in the climate action element. In addition, the bill requires the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to coordinate with metropolitan planning organizations to establish criteria that define and identify growth corridors. The bill also makes changes to the statewide transportation plan, including: 1) an examination of the impact of transportation decisions on land use patterns, 2) the identifying highway segments to promote the development of dense, walkable, and mixed-use neighborhoods in transit-oriented centers, and 3) an emphasis on integrating planning efforts within CDOT to support multimodal transportation, neighborhood centers, and transit-oriented centers.

The Denver Metro Chamber is in an amend position on HB24-1366. Providing accessible and more affordable housing is the Chamber’s leading priority. However, we are concerned about the bill’s approach to prioritization of planning. The Denver Metro Chamber will continue to support effective and practical policy that enables Colorado’s limited available resources to achieve the greatest outcome.

The bill creates the "Colorado College Preparation and Enrichment Program" in the Department of Higher Education, to be administered by the office of educational equity. The program's purpose is to create partnerships between local education providers (K-12 schools) and institutions of higher education (IHE). The program's goals are to increase the number of students who graduate from high school, matriculate to an IHE, and ultimately graduate from an IHE.

The Chamber supports SB24-156. Colorado is currently experiencing a severe labor shortage; our state may have as many as 210,000 job vacancies at any given time with 110,000 residents collecting unemployment. Talent supply, or more accurately talent shortages, are often articulated as the number one concern of business owners in the state as it relates to long term growth, success and sustainability. Colorado struggles with ensuring high school graduates go onto pursue various post-secondary opportunities, an issue that disproportionally impacts communities of color. Given these concerns, the Denver Metro Chamber supports legislation seeking to address workforce shortages by encouraging the matriculation of students into higher education opportunities.

A bill that prohibits the sale and distribution of certain HVAC systems manufactured after Jan. 1, 2027, and sets up a process that allows individuals to make anonymous reports of violation of technical standards. The bill imposes new penalties for violation, including a warning letter to the alleged violator and in the case of a third subsequent violation, the attorney general may bring a civil action and seek up to $2,000. The bill also would require the Colorado Energy Office to conduct a study comparing the cost difference between an HVAC system that meets the technical standards and the HVAC system that does not. In addition, the bill creates a $5,000 refundable state income tax credit per installation of an eligible heat pump available for home builders or HVAC contractors. Lastly, the bill requires recipients of state financial assistance for new building construction projects that include energy-consuming products covered by the Energy Star program to use covered energy-consuming products certified by the Energy Star program.

The Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1352. We recognize that addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the metro area; however, this bill places significant penalties and mandates on individuals that fail or cannot afford to comply. We agree that heat pumps are a viable alternative energy source however, this new technology cannot fit all of Colorado’s homeowners’ needs or budget – passing an undue burden onto individuals who are already struggling to stay afloat in Colorado’s housing market.

The bill adds established payments to loan-out companies as a qualified local expenditure for the purpose of qualifying for the film incentive income tax credit, removes a condition that the credit is available only in years that the amount of state revenues are in excess of the limitation of state fiscal year spending by at least $50 million, and extends the deadline from Feb. 4, 2025, to July 1, 2028, for a tax credit effectiveness study to be submitted to the Finance Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Chamber Supports HB24-1358. The Denver Metro Chamber views creative industries as a critical component of Colorado’s economy that merits our support and investment. We support the diversification of Colorado’s economy through continued investments in various industries such as art and film. As a pro-business organization, we appreciate an incentive-based approach that enables smaller businesses to enter what is a historically difficult industry.

A bipartisan bill that is part of the Governor’s workforce package, the bill focuses on several regional development talent initiatives. The bill creates the regional talent summit grant programs and an income tax credit for facility improvement and equipment acquisition costs associated with training programs designed to alleviate workforce shortages.

The Chamber supports HB24-1365. Colorado is currently experiencing a severe labor shortage; our state may have as many as 210,000 job vacancies at any given time with 110,000 residents collecting unemployment. Talent supply, or more accurately talent shortages, are often articulated as the number one concern of business owners in the state as it relates to long term growth, success and sustainability. Given these concerns, the Denver Metro Chamber encourages legislation seeking to address workforce shortages by scaling and expanding existing programs that have seen proven success.

A bill that seeks to make changes to the existing pipeline safety rules, requiring the Public Utilities Commission to increase mapping requirements for all pipelines within its jurisdiction, decommission sections of pipeline that have not been used for two or more years, and develop a website for pipeline safety data in Colorado. The bill also makes significant changes to the penalties for violating pipeline safety law, increasing the penalties from $200,000 to $500,000, allowing the Commission to increase penalties based on certain metrics and factors, and beginning in 2026, the Commission would be required to adjust the penalty for inflation every two years.

The Chamber opposes HB24-1357. The Denver Metro Chamber supports the safety and wellbeing of our citizens and agrees that pipeline safety is paramount. As a result, we have serious security and safety concerns with this bill and any requirement to map the location of all of Colorado’s pipelines. Energy companies are already at a heightened risk of being targeted and this proposal would put the industry and Coloradan’s access to energy in jeopardy. Additionally, cost of compliance would be significant and ultimately passed on to Colorado ratepayers, without achieving the goal of increasing safety.

Part of the Governor’s workforce package, the bipartisan bill authorizes the Department of Education to commission a financial study analyzing the costs to provide students the opportunity to obtain college credits, industry credentials, and work-based learning experiences. The bill also requires the Office of Information Technology to build the Colorado statewide longitudinal data system to establish a data system to support effective state investments, inform policy research, and assist Colorado citizens in making choices related to their education and training pathways. Lastly, the bill requires the office to submit an annual report summarizing the education and workforce outcomes using the data system.

The Chamber supports HB24-1364. Colorado is currently experiencing a severe labor shortage; our state may have as many as 210,000 job vacancies at any given time with 110,000 residents collecting unemployment. Talent supply, or more accurately talent shortages, are often articulated as the number one concern of business owners in the state as it relates to long term growth, success and sustainability. Given these concerns, the Denver Metro Chamber encourages data-based legislation to help align opportunities to pursue higher education with workforce needs.

The bill requires the executive director of the Department of Local Affairs to develop reasonable methodologies for conducting statewide, regional, and local housing needs assessments and reasonable guidance for a local government to identify areas at elevated risk of displacement. The bill also requires the director to conduct and publish several different types of housing reports including a statewide housing needs assessment, a report identifying current housing stock and estimating statewide needs, and several directories detailing different components of housing and land use strategies. In addition, the bill requires a local government with a population of 1,000 people or more to make an annual housing action plan, which is an advisory document that demonstrates a local government’s commitment to address housing needs, guiding legislative action. Lastly, the bill also sets up a $15 million dollar grant program to provide technical assistance to aid local governments in establishing regional entities, creating local and regional housing needs assessments, making the housing action plan, enacting laws and policies that encourage the development of housing that mitigate displacement, and creating strategic growth in master plans.

The Chamber supports SB24-174. The Denver Metro Chamber recognizes that the lack of affordable housing slows Colorado’s economic growth, undermines our ability to attract and retain talent, and poses a significant challenge to employees and employers across the state. We encourage a data driven approach to best address the statewide need for housing, enabling the state to understand the discrete needs of each region and how to best allocate resources. Colorado’s housing crisis is a multifaceted issue, and we believe we need to develop solutions across the housing continuum to adequately address it.

A bill that creates an Environmental Task Force Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Public Health and Environment. The bill enables local governments to request the office to impose limits on operational emissions within their jurisdiction, requires the office to develop two environmental equity and cumulative impact analyses for specific geographic locations within Colorado and impose new regulations and requirements on petroleum.

The Denver Metro Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1338. While we support reporting that informs practical and effective policy to help address greenhouse gas emissions, we are concerned by some of the less definitive language in the bill and seek further clarification.

The bill creates a pilot program for an income tax credit for owners of qualified housing developments focused on rental housing for middle-income individuals and families. Middle-income individuals and families are defined as having an annual-household income between 80% and 120% of the median income of households the same size within their region. Rural resort counties would be defined as having an annual income of 80% and 140% of the area median income. The amount is credited and determined by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and the aggregate amount of credits allocated in a year cannot exceed $10 million. The bill also requires CHFA to annually report on the middle-income tax credit pilot program to the general assembly and to make the report publicly available.

The Denver Metro Chamber Supports HB24-1316. Providing pathways to address the serious need for attainable housing is the Denver Metro Chamber’s leading policy priority. We believe that in order to reach this goal, Colorado needs an “all of the above” approach. By providing an income tax credit to incentivize development for middle-income citizens, we can continue to address the critical need for additional housing options in Colorado – contributing to the overall health of our economy.

The bill prohibits a person from advertising a price for a product, good or service that does not include all mandatory or nondiscretionary fees or charges. A violation of this prohibition is a deceptive trade practice enforceable by the attorney general or a district attorney.

The Denver Metro Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1151. The Denver Metro Chamber supports protecting consumers from unfair business practices; however, we recognize that there are unique industries within Colorado that operate in good faith with their consumers that could be unintentionally impacted by this piece of legislation. The Chamber seeks to omit the proper industries from the language of this bill to ensure the bill is operable across all unique business types.

A bill that increases the membership of the Air Quality Control Commission from nine to 11 members, requiring one member to represent a disproportionately impacted community and a climate scientist. Under current law, the commission is required to adopt rules regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the industrial and manufacturing sector, the bill would require the commission to adopt a new slate of specific rules concerning GHG emissions and compliance. This includes 1) prohibit GHG emissions from increasing with a cap at 97 million metric tons between 2025 and 2030, 2) prohibit sectors from complying with GHG emissions compliance through payment of fines, 3) establish source specific GHG reduction requirements specific to disproportionately impacted communities.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB24-1339. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority; however, this bill will have sweeping consequences on all manufacturing and industrial operations. The bill essentially throws out complex, recently adopted rules that were crafted over years, with the State of Colorado and all stakeholders expending serious resources to arrive at the GEMM 2 rules. Additionally, this bill will place an undue burden on our industrial and manufacturing industry.

The bill allows local governments, specifically a board of county commissioners, to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the retail sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine products, including prohibiting the sale of any or all flavored cigarettes, flavored tobacco products, or flavored nicotine products.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes SB24-022. The Denver Metro Chamber is opposed to marketing of tobacco products to children. However, we do not believe state or local jurisdictions should have the capacity to ban a federally legal product, especially as the state grants regulatory authority and permission to products that remain illegal at a federal level. We believe this type of legislation creates a concerning precedent and leads to a patchwork of laws that creates an unfair and anticompetitive environment.

A bipartisan bill that creates two tax incentives to support the development of the quantum technology ecosystem in the state. In order to qualify for either tax credit, the Colorado-based entity must receive a multi-million-dollar federal grant from the Economic Development Administration for the regional technology and innovation program or a comparable federal grant program. Tax credits include 1) Tax credit for investments in fixed capital assets to create a shared quantum facility and the 2) Quantum business loan loss reserve tax credit. Both create a 100% refundable income tax credit. The office and the administrator are required to annually report to the general assembly regarding the facility credit and the loan loss credit and may, after soliciting advice from the Department of Revenue and Quantum Industry participants, create and modify policies and procedures as necessary to implement the facility credit or the loan loss credit, as applicable.

The Denver Metro Chamber Supports HB24-1325. Creating and identifying pathways to enable a strong workforce, and therefore, remaining economically competitive, is the Denver Metro Chamber’s foundational priority as an organization. We support strengthening Colorado’s economy by incentivizing the quantum industry to grow and develop in our state. We encourage the investment in this budding industry through the proposed refundable state income tax credits to help fund the development of a shared quantum research facility for private sector and academic research collaboration, innovation, and commercialization. We believe this investment will help create a pipeline for innovation and strong job creation for Colorado.

A bipartisan bill that makes any tax exempted business listed as a 501C a place of public accommodation subject to the provisions of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. The bill amends the definition of a place of public accommodation to include non-profits, though a place that is used for religious purposes (church, synagogue, mosque, etc.) remains exempt. A person may be fined $10,000 for violating the act.

the Denver Metro Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1124. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports protecting our community and citizens from discrimination and enforcing violations related to this issue. However, we are concerned about components of this bill that assign harsh penalties for non-compliance and introduce unclear language, such as discrimination based on “viewpoint,” as a costly violation.

The bill creates two separate state income tax incentives to encourage enrollment in higher education. The first incentive is available to a graduate of any Colorado institution of higher education with a credential required or supported by certain jobs identified by the 2023 Colorado talent pipeline report, defined by the bill as "top jobs." The second incentive is available to an eligible transfer student attending a four-year Colorado institution of higher education, in the amount of $50 per credit hour transferred from either a two-year Colorado institution of higher education or earned while under certain enrollment status in high school.

The Denver Metro Chamber supports HB24-1340. The Denver Metro Chamber’s mission and vision is founded upon “putting more Coloradans to work” in quality jobs. In this effort, we support helping make higher education more affordable and aligning this education with workforce needs. Colorado is currently facing a critical workforce shortage; 2.5 jobs remain vacant for every unemployed person in our state. This is partially a result of not accurately training people to fill gaps in our industry. This bill rewards potential students for pursuing Colorado’s most needed industries, providing citizens with strong opportunities and pathways for employment.

The bill imposes a set of duties on the Denver airport authority for accessibility-related functions at Denver international airport. The bill would authorize the Division of Aeronautics to issue fines for noncompliance of the duties and functions to any entity in violation. For a first offense, the entity has 30-days to remedy the noncompliance. If not remedied within 30-days, the fines increase. In addition, the bill includes a private right of action, enabling an individual alleging damages resulting from a violation by an entity to bring a civil suit and seek a court order requiring compliance and any other remedy the court determines necessary.

The Denver Metro Chamber opposes HB24-1165. We ardently support accessibility and disabilities rights. However, we are concerned about components of this bill that assign harsh penalties to Denver International Airport for violations they have little or no control over – such as violations that are carried out by separate entities such as TSA or specific airlines. Additionally, the Denver Metro Chamber is opposed to the inclusion of a private right of action, as it leads to frivolous lawsuits and predatory litigation practices.

A bipartisan bill that creates the economic development organization (EDO) action grant program within the Colorado office of economic development to provide $2 million worth of grants funding to Colorado-based economic development organizations to support and increase their capacity to implement community-specific economic development programming.

The Chamber supports HB24-1160. The Denver Metro Chamber is supportive of the bipartisan effort to support economic development and strategy across Colorado. HB24-1160 is a continuation of a grant program that increases the capacity for economic development organizations to invest in programs that support economic development opportunities across the state. The Chamber continues to be supportive of programs and initiatives such as HB24-1160, that help drive the further development of a robust economy that will in turn attract, expand, and retain businesses in the regions across the state.

A bill that seeks to increase the affordability of housing in transit-oriented communities (TOCs). This includes providing definitions for TOCs and counties required to adhere to the new requirements to meet housing opportunity goals. A housing opportunity goal is a zoning capacity goal based on an average zoned housing density and the number of transit-related areas within a transit-oriented community. The bill requires a transit-oriented community to meet its housing opportunity goal by ensuring that enough areas in the transit-oriented community qualify as transit centers. The bill creates the transit-oriented communities infrastructure fund grant program to assist local governments in upgrading infrastructure within transit centers and neighborhood centers. In addition, a transit-oriented community is required to demonstrate that it has met its housing opportunity goal by submitting a housing opportunity goal report to the department of local affairs.

The Chamber supports HB24-1313. Colorado’s housing shortage is the Denver Metro Chamber’s primary policy concern. We support increased incentives and removal of barriers to encourage the development of transit-oriented communities. The Chamber will continue to support and encourage legislation that provides an increase in the stock of housing as our state continues to grapple with the impacts of a housing shortage.

A bill that increases the enforcement of violations that impact the environment. This includes establishing definitions for a “repeat violator,” a person that, in a three-year period, has committed five or more violations of certain air quality laws and a “high priority repeat violator,” which is defined as a repeat violator that, in a three-year period, has committed five or more exceedances of the allowable emissions of an air pollutant in a permit. The bill increases the penalties the division of administration in the department of public health and environment must issue for repeat violations from a warning letter or advisory to an order of compliance. The order must assess civil penalties and/or must require a high priority repeat violator to submit a root cause analysis for their violation. In addition, the division of administration may assess civil penalties for air quality violations without going through the district courts. The bill increases the civil penalty minimums for violations by repeat violators under state air quality laws, with specific increases for violations in a disproportionally impacted community. The bill also allows a person to file a civil action against an alleged violator of air quality laws. Current law provides that a person that violates a local government's air quality regulations is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $300. The proposal raises the maximum civil penalty to the amount provided by state air quality laws and requires a defendant to award the prevailing plaintiff any cost of litigation.

The Chamber opposes SB24-166. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority; however, this bill removes any informal mechanisms for handling air quality violations, eliminating any consideration of whether an individual or business is acting in good faith or unable to meet constantly evolving environmental standards. For example, this bill makes no distinction between record-keeping errors and actual emissions exceedances. We believe that inclusion of a private right of action goes far beyond the appropriate penalties. The legislation would function as a ban, arbitrarily setting emissions limits that are in many cases impossible to meet and setting astronomical penalties while removing the ability of state enforcement to work with companies to achieve compliance.

A bipartisan bill that grants the attorney general rule-making authority over restrictive employment agreements. Current law allows an employer to recover the expense of educating and training a worker where the training is distinct from normal, on-the-job training. The bill regulates the recoverable expense as other consumer debt and student debt.

The Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1324. The Denver Metro Chamber supports further clarifying the parameters by which an employer can recover the expense of educating and/or training an employee to ensure that neither party is taking advantage of one another. However, we are concerned with the current language to dramatically increase penalties by making such actions a violation under the Colorado Consumer Protections Act and allowing for a private right of action. We believe the addition of such penalties will lead to frivolous lawsuits and predatory behavior.

A bill that includes a multitude of new emission standards and requirements for diesel-fueled automobiles as well as facilities or buildings that generate air pollutants within the eight-hour ozone Denver/Front Range nonattainment area. The bill also redefines ozone season as the period between May 1 and Sept. 30. Beginning in 2025, oil and gas activity must pause during the ozone season within the nonattainment area. Moving forward, oil and gas operators must prepare several new reports including an inventory report that includes the emissions of certain air pollutants from their operations and a report estimating emissions of nitrogen oxides from the oil and gas operations in the nonattainment area. This report will be used to develop a nitrogen oxide emissions budget to set certain emission level maximums. Lastly, the bill also requires the department of transportation to establish vehicle miles traveled reduction targets for the nonattainment area and to develop policies and programs to assist metropolitan planning organizations to help meet targets.

The Chamber opposes SB24-165. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority; however, this bill will have sweeping consequences on energy production and utilization in the state. The Chamber is particularly concerned by the compounding provisions ostensibly banning oil and gas from operating for five months of the year, which would in practice function as a ban. In addition, the proposed limits on vehicle miles traveled by individuals will disproportionally impact those who cannot afford to live close to their worksites or afford electric vehicles.

The bill seeks to prohibit a county or municipality from enforcing minimum parking requirements for property that is within a metropolitan planning organization. The prohibition does not apply to lowering the protections provided for persons with disabilities; preventing a county or municipality from enacting or enforcing a maximum parking requirement; or preventing a county or municipality from enacting or enforcing a minimum parking requirement for bicycles.

The Chamber supports HB24-1304. The housing and affordability crisis continues to be a critical issue. Restrictive parking requirements, such as mandating visitor parking or multiple parking spaces per home, can limit the development of housing, which Colorado desperately needs. As our state continues to invest heavily in diverse housing opportunities and transit-oriented development, we support eliminating minimum parking requirements and enabling the market, and therefore Coloradans, to dictate how much parking is needed.

A bill that modifies the process to obtain permits that impact air quality. This includes clarifying that a request for general permit registration does not constitute having a valid construction permit. In addition, the bill requires that the division of administration in the department of public health and environment or the air quality control commission can only grant permits for certain proposed sources in a nonattainment area that meet certain requirements. Requirements include: 1) the proposed source will not contribute to an exceedance of any applicable national ambient air quality standard, 2) The owner or operator of the proposed source achieves emissions reductions of each air pollutant, and 3) The proposed source is not in a disproportionately impacted community.

The Chamber opposes HB24-1330. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority; however, this bill will have sweeping consequences on energy production and utilization in the state and would create a regulatory process so burdensome it would grind the state’s permitting processes to a halt. Though this bill is aimed at the oil and gas industry, the proposed modifications to the permitting process will compound existing permit delays, heavily impacting industrial and manufacturing, and even many commercial, operations across the state.

A bill that provides community revitalization incentives for the support of creative industries by extending the community grant revitalization program and creating an income tax credit for expenses related to completing infrastructure that supports creative industries and creative industry workers.

The Chamber supports HB24-1295. The Chamber views creative industries as a critical component of Colorado’s economy that necessitates our support and investment. Our priority is making sure Colorado remains a great place to live and work. As a result, we support incentivizing creative projects such as the renovation/development of properties for creative industries, economic development, historic preservation, or childcare centers that enables the state to continue strengthening our diverse economy.

A bipartisan bill that requires local governments to notify affected utility companies of road improvement projects and establishes the process by which local governments and utility companies may enter into agreements concerning the relocation of utility facilities. The bill requires local governments and utility companies to coordinate on road improvement projects necessitating the alteration of utility lines. The utility must pay for the costs associated with an unreasonable delay.

The Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1266. The Denver Metro Chamber encourages collaboration and effective coordination between utility companies and local governments to ensure efficient processes. We encourage clear and fair compliance measures that foster a beneficial relationship between the utilities and local government.

The bill would prohibit issuing new oil and gas permits after January 2030 and would add certain conditions to any permit that is issued after July 2024 to end certain operations of the well before December 2032. In addition to this, if the energy and carbon management commission determines the operations of a certain oil & gas well are adversely impacting the environment, the commission can issue an order requiring the responsible party to mitigate their impact. Noncompliance will result in the commission suing the impacting party.

The Chamber opposes SB24-159. Addressing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the metro area; however, this bill will have sweeping consequences on energy production and utilization in the state, leading Colorado to outsourcing our energy needs, and cause a dramatic hit to state & local funding. The Chamber is deeply concerned by potential repercussions of banning all new oil and gas permits and the economic impacts that would ripple out from eliminating a Colorado industry, including substantial job loss, higher energy costs for Coloradans and a potential $600 million hit to public education.

This is a bipartisan bill that creates three new four-year programs to be implemented by the division of housing in the department of local affairs to support and incentivize childcare facility development. The programs include the childcare facility development toolkit, technical assistance program, and the childcare facility development planning grant program. Each of these programs are created to incentivize and support local governments in identifying and making regulatory updates or improvements to community planning, development, building, zoning and other regulatory processes to support the development of childcare facilities.

The Chamber supports HB24-1237. Strengthening our workforce is the leading priority for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Finding affordable and accessible childcare is a critical challenge for working parents and is a factor for companies in determining whether to locate or grow in Colorado. This bill helps to fill this gap. By incentivizing community planning for family care, we help state and local communities to support and strengthen the local workforce.

The bill creates the employee ownership office, which was originally created administratively by the governor in 2020, as a statutory entity within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The bill also creates an income tax credit for specified costs incurred by new employee-owned businesses, to be administered by the employee ownership office.

The Chamber supports HB24-1157. The Denver Metro Chamber is committed to helping Colorado businesses stay in Colorado. This bill helps enable employees to buy into or own preexisting businesses. We support HB24-1157 and will continue to prioritize opportunities and programs that further enable an ownership society.

The bill prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to attend meetings, listen to speech or view communications concerning religious or political matters. The bill creates a private right of action of employees seeking lost wages, front pay, compensation, costs and attorney's fees should their employer violate this policy. Certain employer communications are exempt from the prohibition, including communications required by law or that are necessary for an employee to perform the employee's job duties. Lastly, each employer is required to post a notice of the employee rights outlined in the bill at the employer's workplace.

The Chamber opposes HB24-1260. The Denver Metro Chamber takes employee protection very seriously. However, we are concerned by the broad sweeping language within HB24-1260. The ambiguous language concerning what constitutes a political matter paired with a private right of action could lead to serious unintended consequences, impacting DEI efforts, volunteer programs with a faith component, and disincentivizing businesses from relocating to Colorado.

The bill would add requirements for projects that receive federal money for broadband deployment. The bill would require that these projects cannot give less than 25% weight to fair labor practices by establishing evaluation metrics for applicants.

The Chamber opposes HB24-1245. The Denver Metro Chamber supports fair labor practices; however, the federal government currently has effective fair labor practice requirements in place. Layering bureaucratic requirements on top of the federal fair labor practice requirements will heavily slow down the implementation of broadband projects. Closing the digital divide in rural Colorado is crucial for the further development and empowerment of citizens living beyond the front range, and these new requirements will inhibit this effort.

The bill requires a health-care insurance carrier to include a primary care provider as a participating provider in all networks, including narrow networks and all tiers of tiered networks, of the carrier's health benefit plan if they meet certain criteria.

The approach of the bill would increase healthcare costs for businesses and employees by eliminating a critical tool for controlling costs.

This bill allows an individual with a criminal conviction if the offense is a violent felony or a misdemeanor to petition a regulator to determine whether their criminal conviction should preclude them from becoming qualified to be registered, certified, or licensed for a state-regulated occupation. If an offense is not violent, but would otherwise disqualify a person from registering, retaining a certification, or license, the bill would disallow the regulator from considering the person’s criminal conviction for the offense after a 3-year period has passed.

The Chamber is monitoring amendments to this legislation, as it aligns with our equity and inclusion agenda. Reassessing overly restrictive barriers to help maintain a pathway to a stronger workforce while also protecting our hiring practices is imperative to Colorado’s economic success.

The bill adds measures to encourage healthier social media use by youth. This includes requiring the department of education to expand local student wellness programs to address the impacts of problematic technology use and create and maintain a resource bank of evidence-based, research-based, and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to the mental health impacts of social media use by children and teens. The bill also would require social media platforms to display a pop-up warning to users under the age of 18 when they have spent one-hour on the platform and/or is on the platform from the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Chamber is in an amend position for HB24-1136. The Denver Metro Chamber encourages the bi-partisan and collaborative effort to put parameters around social media for youth. However, components of the proposed legislation introduce new standards and requirements that create a patchwork of compliance for national companies. The Chamber seeks to promote child online safety, while ensuring businesses can practically and clearly comply with our state laws.

A bill that adds limitations to the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAs). Current law prohibits the sale or distribution of class B firefighting foam that contains PFAS chemicals. This bill repeals an exemption, prohibiting the use of PFAs for gasoline distribution facilities, refineries, and chemical plants as well as certain outdoor apparel or installing artificial turf that contains intentionally added PFAS. The bill also adds several new goods to the existing product phase-out timeline which prohibits the distribution of products in certain categories on and after certain dates. These products include certain cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, menstruation products, ski wax and textiles that contain PFAS.

The Chamber opposes SB24-081. The Denver Metro Chamber supports common-sense, practical approaches to the regulation of PFAS. We believe SB24-081 is an extreme bill that would dramatically impact Colorado’s access to critical products and goods such as various medical devices and equipment, including PPE. A bill this broad would affect all products containing PFAS of any kind in Colorado such as semiconductors; solar panels; firefighting foam; electronics including cell phones, laptops and tablets, etc. We implore the legislature to take a measured and thoughtful approach when targeting PFAS in order to avoid drastic unintended consequences.

A bill that adds disclaimers and administrative processes to the Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA). This includes items such as stating that a construction professional is not vicariously liable for the acts or omissions of a licensed design professional for any construction defects and adding a list of requirements in order to obtain the majority approval of the unit owners before initiating a construction defect action.

The Chamber supports SB24-112. The Denver Metro Chamber’s leading priority is to address the housing crisis by increasing the stock of housing for Coloradans. Colorado is an increasingly litigious environment to do business in - driving developers to avoid the risk of lawsuit by either staying out of residential projects or simply leaving the state. This bill addresses a major issue consistently brought up by industry professionals by raising the standard a plaintiff’s attorney must reach before bringing a lawsuit.

This bill expands the right-to-repair statues to digital electronic equipment and adds exemptions for various types of digital electronic equipment (such as motor vehicles, medical devices, and certain construction and energy-related equipment). In this context, right-to-repair means the original equipment manufacturer is required upon request to provide parts, tools, documentation and other resources to independent repair providers to facilitate repair.

The Chamber has taken an amend position for HB24-1121. The Chamber supports ensuring people can repair their digital electronic equipment. However, other states that have passed similar legislation have done so with clear exemptions for unique instances when a right to repair may be unjustified or have unintended consequence, such as with leased equipment. We encourage more research into the products and industry areas this piece of legislation will impact the most before moving forward.

This is a bipartisan bill that creates new policy and procedures concerning record sealing and expungement. The bill allows the defendant in a mistaken identity case to petition for an expungement order if the arresting agency does not file a petition themselves. The defendant is not subject to any fees or costs associated with expunging the record. The bill also clarifies procedures for automatic sealing of a defendant’s record and a hearing related to sealing matters to be conducted remotely. In addition, the bill lowers waiting periods for sealing municipal records and creates record sealing procedures for conviction records when a statutory change legalizes previously prohibited conduct.

The Chamber supports HB24-1133. A core tenet of the Chamber is supporting efforts to put more Coloradans to work. In July 2021, 7.7% of jobs in Colorado were unfilled — an all-time high for the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This bill follows a larger package that was passed two years ago and seeks to address the labor shortage by improving the policies and procedures related to record sealing and expungement. The Chamber continues to support this type of legislation that enables more people reach or be eligible for employment.

This bill introduces new measures to address ozone levels in areas that do not meet federal ozone national ambient air quality standards. This includes a voucher program for owners of high-emitter vehicles that have unsuccessfully attempted to have the vehicle repaired to cure the noncompliance, a garden rebate program to increase the use of small electric motors used for outdoor power equipment, as well as expand the existing clean fleet enterprise programs to include light duty trucks, authorize a grant program to acquire clean vehicles and require a prioritization of grants to local governments. Lastly, the bill also requires the division of administration in the department of public health and environment to regularly perform photochemical modeling studies and data analysis designed to determine ambient air ozone levels and the effectiveness of policies for lowering ambient air ozone levels.

The Chamber supports SB24-095. The Denver Metro Chamber is supportive of thoughtfully crafted, data-driven legislation to reach a more sustainable future. In recent years, the state has adopted numerous air quality measures, and is considering additional measures this year. We support the approach to determine the effectiveness of previous environmental policy, so we can make informed decisions as we strive to achieve effective outcomes though Colorado policy. We are also supportive of incentive-based approaches, such as cash for clunkers that incentivize owners of high-emission vehicles to be able to afford better, more sustainable options.

The bill would expand the Construction Defect Actions Reform Act and the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. This includes removing the limitations on the legal rights or remedies that can be brought by the plaintiff, requiring prejudgment interest be awarded at a rate of 6% to the date of sale and 8% thereafter, and increasing the statute of limitations in which a claimant can bring a lawsuit from six years to 10 years.

The Chamber is opposed to HB24-1230. The Denver Metro Chamber is strongly opposed to HB24-1230, which is being brought by the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. We believe in properly protecting Colorado homeowners, but current state policy has already created an overly litigious environment that has resulted in a severe lack of construction of condominiums and townhomes, a major factor in Colorado’s housing shortage. This legislation would exacerbate our housing crisis, taking the state in the opposite direction it needs to go to address the shortage of entry-level homes.

This bipartisan bill concerns raising the limits on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions. Existing law limits the amount recoverable for noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions to $300,000. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the bill incrementally increases the noneconomic damages limitation to $500,000 over five years.

The Chamber is in support of SB24-130. Colorado’s current cap on noneconomic damages is set in statute, requiring that those caps are periodically revisited. The Denver Metro Chamber supports raising noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions from $300,000 to $500,000, while stressing that caps are critical to keeping the cost of insurance reasonable.

This bill requires attorney fees to be awarded to the prevailing defendant in an action concerning judicial review of a local land use decision, except for when an action is brought by the land use applicant before the government entity. 

The Chamber Supports HB24-1107. The Denver Metro Chamber’s leading policy priority is to provide more housing options for Coloradans. Judicial Review of Local Land Use decisions codifies an existing judicial decision to protect the court appeal process from abuse. Requiring attorney fees to be awarded to the prevailing defendant will add a cost, or consequence, in bringing forth frivolous lawsuits. As a result, this bill will help streamline the process at the local level to build additional housing.

This is a bipartisan bill that amends the Colorado Privacy Act to include certain protections for an individual’s biometric data. The controller (business that collects the data) must adopt a policy that 1) establishes a retention schedule, 2) includes a protocol for responding to a breach of security and 3) includes guidelines that require permanent destruction of the biometric identifier. In addition, the controller must 1) obtain disclosure and consent forms to collect biometric data 2) allow consumer access and update biometric information, and 3) restrict an employer’s permissible reasons for collecting employee biometric information.

The Denver Metro Chamber has taken an amend position on HB24-1130. The Chamber supports clear, enforceable policy that enables business within Colorado to effectively comply with amendments to the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA). The Denver Metro Chamber appreciates the current stakeholder effort working to ensure that by adding increased protections to the CPA, we will not be hamstrung with unintended consequences in the future.

This is a bipartisan bill that aims to increase the number of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Colorado through new requirements, grant programs and limiting permitting restrictions. The bill requires jurisdictions to allow, subject to an administrative approval process, one ADU to a single unit detached dwelling. The bill also prohibits qualifying jurisdictions from enacting or enforcing certain local laws that would restrict the construction or conversion of an accessory dwelling unit.

The Chamber Supports HB24-1152. We encourage a bipartisan effort to increase housing inventory and provide diverse options for Coloradans. This bill both incentivizes the construction or conversion of ADUs through grant programs and lowers the barrier to entry by limiting permit restrictions and local laws that would normally prohibit ADU construction. ADUs are a critical option for a diverse set of stakeholders, including the disabled community looking to stay close to their support systems and giving seniors the opportunity to age in place. While we understand this is not the only solution needed to address Colorado’s housing needs, this piece of legislation works to bring much needed housing inventory to market.

This is a bipartisan bill that makes changes to Colorado’s occupational portability program concerning the spouses and dependents of military members to allow them to either more easily obtain or keep their credentialing. Changes include: (1) streamlining a spouse or dependent’s transfer of occupations licensure or credentials in Colorado if they are in good standing in another state, (2) allowing applicants to be credentialed if the applicant committed an act that would have disallowed them from licensure in Colorado, but the applicant remains in good standing in their current state, (3) allowing military spouses and dependent to obtain a six-year credential while in Colorado, (4) waiving application and renewal fees for credentials, and (5) expanding eligibility for the program to spouses and dependents of Armed Forces Reserve, Ready Reserve, and National Guard members in Colorado.

The Chamber Supports HB24-1097. The Denver Metro Chamber strongly supports legislation that empowers our workforce and increases contributions to local economic development. This piece of legislation streamlines processes that enable military families to more easily relocate and work in Colorado. By allowing military spouses and dependents to more easily obtain or keep their credentials during a move, we hope to provide additional support and encourage growth opportunities within the military community.

This bill creates two property rights with the goal of increasing the stock of affordable housing: a right of first refusal and a right of first offer. The bill requires the seller of multifamily rental properties that are considered existing affordable housing to give notice to the local government at least two years before the first expiration of an existing affordability restriction on the property and again when the seller takes certain actions as a precursor to selling the property. A local government also has the right of first offer to all other multifamily rental properties that are 20 years or older and have not more than 100 units and not less than five units in urban counties and three units in rural and rural resort counties.

The Chamber Opposes HB24-1175. While the Chamber believes addressing housing affordability is vital for workforce retention and recruitment, this bill would make capital investment less appealing, and therefore more difficult to build affordable housing stock. The most effective way to bring down housing costs is to support development in a meaningful way—cutting regulations, working to reform zoning, construction litigation reform, and incentivizing development professionals to invest and build in communities that need housing the most.

This is a bi-partisan bill that introduces a new, refundable income tax credit for qualified costs incurred in the conversion of a commercial structure to a residential structure. All applications and review will go through the Governor’s office of economic development. The office of economic development cannot reserve a tax credit in excess of $3 million for any one project and cannot reserve more than $5 million of tax credits in any one calendar year.

The Chamber Supports HB24-1125. The Denver Metro Chamber strongly supports incentive-based approaches to encourage the development of additional housing, which this legislation does by creating a refundable tax credit for eligible costs incurred when converting a commercial structure to residential.

This is a bipartisan bill from Senate leadership that adds several amendments to the Colorado Privacy Act to add enhanced protections when a minor's data is processed and there is a heightened risk of harm to the minor. This bill would apply to any Colorado business that controls consumer personal data (controller). A controller that offers an online service, product, or feature to a consumer that the controller either knows or willfully disregards is a minor is required to: 1) use reasonable care to avoid heightened risk of harm to minors, (2) conduct and review data protection assessment and maintain documentation regarding the assessment for a specific period, (3) unless the minor parent or legal guardian has consented, the controller is prohibited from processing a minor’s personal data for targeted advertising, selling personal data, or profiling the minor’s personal data, (4) controller is also prohibited from using a system design feature to prolong a minor’s use of the product or, 5) collecting a minor’s geolocation.

The Denver Metro Chamber has taken an amend position on SB24-041. The Denver Metro Chamber appreciates the critical need to protect children from online harm. In this effort, the Chamber supports clear, enforceable policy that enables business within Colorado to effectively comply with amendments to the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) and appreciates the current stakeholder effort working to ensure that the increased protections to the CPA will not result in unintended consequences in the future.

This bill looks to make changes to certain aspects of the Construction Defect Action Reform Act. The proposed bill introduces a right to remedy option, in which condo owners and the contractors involved in the construction defects claim work bring in a neutral third party to resolve the matter by either doing remedial work or hiring another construction professional to perform the work before it is taken to court. In order to bring a claim, two-thirds of the actual owners of condominium units must provide their written consent. Under the act, claimants can only seek damages for 1) actual damage to real or personal property, 2) actual loss of the use of real or personal property, 3) bodily injury or wrongful death, and 4) a risk of bodily injury or death, thread to the life, health, or safety of the occupants.

The Chamber Supports SB24-106. The Denver Metro Chamber supports safeguarding homeowners from unfair business practices that could put their home and personal investment in jeopardy. However, the Construction Defect Reform Act’s has led to predatory and unfair lawsuits that result in harming Colorado’s ability to increase the stock of housing, which we desperately need. The Denver Metro Chamber supports making specific changes to certain aspects of the Construction Defect Reform Act, such as adding a pathway for remediation or requiring lawyers to prove damage or harm, which continue to protect homeowners while curbing predatory and unfair lawsuits.

This bill requires a cost-effective analysis to be made ahead of proposing new energy efficiency standards on or after Jan. 1, 2026. The analysis would use the existing energy efficiency standards and requirements as a baseline comparison and assess whether the proposed economic benefits of the proposed energy efficiency standards would exceed the economic costs of those standards.

The Chamber Supports SB24-092. The Denver Metro Chamber supports the analysis of the economic impact of newly proposed energy standards. The Chamber is supportive of reliable, realistic and implementable climate solutions. However, many businesses are unable to keep up with the cost of implementing the new solutions that are rolled out each year. We hope this bill will help accurately project the cost-benefit analysis of newly proposed energy solutions, helping policymakers consider the impacts of implementation on small and large businesses.

The bill creates the Colorado workforce demonstration grants pilot program in the office of economic development to provide grants to eligible workforce training providers in order to facilitate workforce training for eligible participants.

The Chamber supports SB25-050. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce supports investing in our workforce development and training programs. We encourage proven, evidence-informed workforce programs that result in stronger opportunities for future apprentices and trainees.

This bill would allow for overdose prevention centers, or safe injection sites. An overdose prevention center is defined as a facility designed to provide a space for individuals to use controlled substances in a monitored setting with supervision, access to equipment and counselors, as well as referrals to substance use disorder treatment. The bill specifies that a municipality may authorize the operation of an overdose prevention center within the municipality’s boundaries.

The Chamber Opposes HB24-1028. The Denver Chamber acknowledges that the increase in drug abuse, drug related deaths, and crime remains to be a monumental and deeply concerning issue for our communities. The Chamber is highly concerned about the disproportionate strain the location of a safe injection site can have on a community or neighborhood, local businesses, and local law enforcement. We also recognize the health and public safety risks to citizens, local communities, and health-care staff associated with such facilities.