Soon it will be 2015 and time for resolutions. I won’t over-share by listing my personal goals for 2015, but will assure you that as a business community we have some ambitious goals for next year. And, of course at the top of that list is ensuring we have a good legislative session.
The 2015 session kicks off on Jan. 7, and to inform our members the Chamber and the Colorado Competitive Council are hosting our 2nd Annual Business Legislative Preview at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 5. This preview of the upcoming session is where you can hear the leadership from both parties share their priorities and how those will impact business. The Denver Business Journal’s Ed Sealover will moderate the event. Last year’s event delivered an incredibly candid conversation, and we expect this year to be equally interesting.
We focus our work at the Capitol on those issues that impact our economic future. Our three pillars—health, education and infrastructure—guide our work because they impact the economic vitality of our state. Our five priority issues—education, energy, transportation, water and engaging independent voters—will be kept at the forefront as well.
We already know some issues are coming our way and below we’ve summarized our position and view on these critical issues:
- Reforming construction litigation. We’ve been expressing concern for some time that access to affordable condominiums is becoming nearly impossible in our state because of the likelihood of litigation. A broad and diverse coalition including the Chamber, the Metro Mayors Caucus and Housing Colorado is working with Sen. Jessie Ulibarri to reform these laws and begin to deliver a full range of housing options back to all of us.
- Supporting Colorado Academic Standards. We will continue to defend the implementation because these standards measure the skills our kids need to be successful, like problem-solving, critical thinking and communications skills. Our students deserve high standards and our economic future depends on the success of these students in college and their careers.
- Reforming our constitutional amendment process. We must ensure better information is delivered to voters when they sign petitions for ballot issues and we must slow down the ease with which our constitution is being amended.
- Supporting public-private partnerships (P3s). Addressing our infrastructure needs demands that public and private work together to deliver and fund needed improvements. We will continue to support the ability of our departments and our private sector to engage in solutions that deliver these critical investments.
- Supporting responsible oil and gas development. We will continue to support strong regulations that protect our communities and our environment, while ensuring this vital industry can continue to invest and grow in Colorado.
- Supporting tax increment financing (TIF). Tax increment financing has helped improve many areas around our state—it is a critical tool to that helps deliver significant improvements and redevelopment projects that have revitalized our neighborhoods.
So, you can see we’ll be pretty busy again this year at the Capitol. And, as always, we’ll update you each week about the positions we’re taking on bills and the reason we take those positons. One resolution we hope you will add to your list is to make sure you voice helps shape our positions—please follow the session and attend the committee meetings where these issues are discussed.
Kelly Brough is president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
[Photo by: Ken Lund]
