Our members know that we’re stronger together. We’re proud of the businesses and nonprofits that are stepping up and helping our community navigate this challenging time. Share with us how your business is supporting our community.
Chamber Members Lending a Helping Hand
The companies will combine expertise to discover and develop fully human neutralizing antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 to potentially prevent or treat COVID-19. The mutually exclusive collaboration brings together Adaptive's proprietary immune medicine platform for the identification of virus-neutralizing antibodies with Amgen's expertise in immunology and novel antibody therapy development.
AT&T Responds to COVID-19 with Resources, Connections
From supporting first responders to helping Khan Academy reach more kids and their employees, AT&T is committed to being there when its customers and colleagues need them most, including waiving late fees and not terminating service as part of the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge.” Read how they’re responding. On April 12, AT&T announced three months of free wireless service for frontline nurses and physicians nationwide. Read more.
Bank of America (BofA) Offers Additional Support to Customers and Small Businesses
BoA has committed $100 million to nonprofits. Locally, the BofA Denver Market donated funds to cover administrative costs to create and manage the Colorado COVID Relief Fund; it contributed $25,000 to Mayor Hancock’s small business micro-grant program; and it deployed $970,000 to nonprofits with immediate needs. BoA was the first to begin executing on the federal Paycheck Protection Program. It is also offering assistance to clients struggling to make payments through its Client Assistance Program. BofA is supporting employees by enhancing benefits, moving to a minimum $20 hourly rate this quarter and has pledged no layoffs in 2020.
Biodesix, Inc., a leading diagnostic company in lung disease based in Boulder, launched the Biodesix WorkSafe™ Program, a customized return-to-work service for employers. The program is designed to help businesses in the United States prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 while resuming business operations.
Boeing to 3D-Print Face Shields for Health Care Workers, Offers Dreamlifter for Pandemic Response
Boeing employees will 3D-print face shields using additive manufacturing machines, as long as those facilities remain in operation consistent with federal, state and local health orders. The company also announced its intent to offer use of the Boeing Dreamlifter to transport critical and urgently needed supplies to health care professionals.
Boettcher Foundation Announces $1 Million COVID Biomedical Research Innovation Fund
The Boettcher Foundation, which has supported biomedical research in Colorado since the 1940s, has established a $1 million innovation fund to fight COVID-19 and potentially curtail future pandemic outbreaks. The foundation also gave $50,000 to the Help Colorado Now, the state’s COVID relief fund.
Bristol Myers Squibb Expands Patient Support Programs to Help Newly Uninsured Patients in the U.S.
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) announced an expansion of its patient support programs to help eligible unemployed patients in the United States who have lost their health insurance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The expanded program offers access to any branded BMS medicine for free, as well as those prescribed via telehealth services.
Canvas Credit Union Responds to COVID-19
The credit union is offering up to three months of fee-free payment deferrals on existing loans, including mortgages, business/commercial loans and/or lines of credit. It has launched a Helping Hands Loan, providing loans up to $5,000 with no payments required for 90 days. To support the community, Canvas is collecting donations through its Canvas Foundation from members visiting our drive-ups, with donations benefitting area food banks. Staff are also sewing surgical masks for medical professionals.
Children's Hospital Colorado Seeks Recovered COVID-19 Plasma Donors to Help Future Patients
Children’s Hospital Colorado is among the first health care systems in the country to begin collecting antibody-rich convalescent plasma to combat COVID-19. The program launched in late March when the blood donor center received a request for a critically ill adult patient at a nearby hospital. Children's Colorado is now making convalescent plasma available to hospitals across the state.
Cigna Responds to COVID-19 Across the Globe and Locally
In Colorado, the Cigna Foundation has supported the Colorado COVID Relief Fund as well as organizations that will help address hunger for youth and seniors in the community and provide technology to seniors to help them combat loneliness and depression.
The two organizations are teaming up to provide meals for hospital workers and support local restaurants, by collecting and distributing monetary donations to local restaurants to prepare takeout orders that then go to local hospitals.
Comcast is adjusting its Internet Essentials program to help families during this crisis. They’ll provided 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service to low-income families who live in a Comcast service area. And, they’re increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers.
Comcast has signed the “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” and is also offering eligible new customers 60 days of Internet Essentials service, an internet adoption program for low-income households, without charge. And it is providing Xfinity video customers access to free education resources. The company has also committed $500 million to support our employees where operations have been closed or impacted.
Danone North American Hikes Pay for Production Workers
Danone North America has hiked the pay of thousands of its food processing workers around the country and added new leave options. The Broomfield-based business has added a 15% premium for all hours worked that will be paid in addition to the food production workers’ normal wage.
Delta Dental of Colorado and Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation Respond to COVID-19
Delta Dental of Colorado and Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation announced on May 15 they have collectively committed $30 million in the form of billing and premium credits, loans, relief funds and grants to customers, oral health care providers and local community organizations.
They also have a variety of resources, including a guide to determine if you are experiencing a dental emergency and how to seek care. The Foundation has likewise donated $100,000 to the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, is distributing oral health care products and is supporting employees through an employee relief fund.
Denver Emergency Food Network Delivers Free, Prepared Meals
The organization, formed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, provides meals to homebound families and elderly individuals in need with the help of partners like Serendipity Catering and restaurants – and have grown to serving 3,000 meals a day.
Denver Water’s Response to Coronavirus
Denver Water has suspended all water shut-offs due to delinquent payments to ensure all customers have access to this vital resource. The utility is also attempting to limit water outages to emergencies only, and routine street projects that require temporary outages for more than one residence will be put on hold.
DISH, CenturyLink Take Steps to Ease Burdens on Telecommunications during Coronavirus Outbreaks
DISH Network has announced it is providing its entire portfolio of 600 Mhz spectrum to T-Mobile customers at no cost for the next 60 days. CenturyLink, which is based in Louisiana but has major Colorado operations, has suspended its data cap on internet usage for customers.
El Pomar Foundation announced today the establishment of the Colorado Assistance Fund (CAF). CAF is a $1 million fund offering immediate aid to nonprofit organizations supporting Colorado communities, organizations and individuals affected by the recent outbreak of COVID-19.
FirstBank Helps Make4Covid Get More PPE to Hospital Workers
FirstBank is supplying $50,000 to Make4Covid, a movement driven by medical professionals, engineers and entrepreneurs, who are using 3-D printing technology to create protective gear and medical equipment for hospitals battling the virus. FirstBank is also allowing customers, upon request, to defer up to three months of payments on residential mortgage loans, home equity installment loans and consumer installment loans. Read more about FirstBank’s COVID-19 response.
HealthONE Announces Grants to Aid in COVID-19 Relief Efforts, Offers Support for Staff
HealthONE’s HCA Healthcare Foundation has providing more than $1 million in grants to local community organizations to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts, including Mile High United Way and Food Bank of the Rockies. Its clinical experts have participated in numerous virtual forums. HealthONE has supported its front line with hotel stays, scrub laundering and donated meals. And a “Pandemic Pay” program was created for those who could not be redeployed in other roles.
Health Links, a program within the Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health, launched a webinar series in response to the pandemic. The webinars feature the latest COVID-19 information and guidance for employers and individuals in our communities presented by University of Colorado Anschutz expert faculty and alumni.
Kroger Shares Blueprint for Reopening Business
Kroger has developed and launched a new platform – KrogerBlueprint.com – to share what the grocer has learned to help businesses begin to reopen safely and in sync with their respective state plans. These are actionable recommendations for retailers, restaurants and food service companies, manufacturers, logistics and distribution centers and other industries to consider as they start crafting plans for safe work environments while the COVID-19 risk persists.
JPMorgan Chase has committed $50 million to address immediate public health and long-term economic challenges globally. An initial $15 million commitment will support communities and people hit hardest by this public health crisis. The remaining $35 million will be deployed over time to help the most vulnerable communities and people recover and have an opportunity to benefit from future economic growth.
Kaiser Permanente Shares Approach to COVID-19
Kaiser Permanente is removing barriers to COVID-19 care by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, diagnosis and treatment, including hospital stays. It is also supporting the community by providing $1 million to increase capacity for preventing and treating cases of COVID-19 within the nation’s homeless population in a collaboration with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
Mile High United Way Announces $1 Million in Rapid Response Funding
MHUW will grant $1 million in Rapid Response Funding to organizations across the Denver-Boulder metro area to support critical, basic needs services in the areas of food security, housing, rent/utility assistance, health services and support for seniors. Fifty community-based organizations have received $785,000. The remaining $215,000 will be distributed to child care providers in our community.
Mortenson Responds to COVID-19, Tracks Impact
Mortenson employees are taking steps to increase physical distancing, reduce worker concentrations, expand on-site health and safety services and work with trade partners to adjust workflows as necessary. They’ve also built triage tents for COVID-19 patients.
Norwich University Extends Complimentary Online Courses for Chamber Investors
Norwich University has extended its offer of complimentary online courses on business topics of data analytics, project management, leadership and corporate compliance. Each course is conducted asynchronously and can be accomplished at any time. One free course offered per person with the discount code partner1; however, use code profdev35 for 35% off a second course or code profdev50 for 50% off two or more courses.
PCL Helping Employers Get Back to Work Safely
PCL Construction has partnered with Camillion, Microsoft, WZMH and Quasar Loring Stephenson Parkin Architects to develop a smart screening and testing pod, called a Citizen Care Community Pod, that can be quickly and easily deployed to areas where testing for Covid-19 is needed, such as at entrances to hospitals, office buildings, schools and other places.
SANITYzer for All was launched by two friends, James Browder and Nicolas Wilson, who first met at college at Sam Houston State University in Texas. They both relocated to Denver. Earlier this year, Browder and Wilson, both military veterans, left their energy company jobs to take a gamble and start their hand sanitizer company. Since then, the company has expanded to offer cleaners, toilet paper and PPE. They also are dedicated to the community, so they’ve donated or offered their products at extreme discounts to a variety of organizations, including teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, veterans organizations, animal shelters and their favorite sport, rugby.
Uber Eats Waives Delivery Fee for Over 100K Independent Restaurants to Help Lessen Impact of Virus
Uber Eats says it’s waiving its delivery fee for more than 100,000 independent restaurants across the United States and Canada in an effort to support local businesses that have been limited to deliveries and pick-up orders due to the coronavirus pandemic.
United Health Foundation Grants $500,000 to Support Behavioral Health for Coloradans
The United Health Foundation has donated $500,000 to the Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) to help it meet behavioral health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will support behavioral health clinician staffing, outreach to vulnerable patients and expanded access to telehealth platforms. The effort is part of UnitedHealth Group’s initial $70 million commitment to fight COVID-19 and support impacted communities.
UnitedHealth Group Provides Testing, Resources, Support During Pandemic
UnitedHealth Group has taken several steps to respond to COVID-19, including developing and testing a new self-administered COVID-19 swab protocol, which is now FDA-approved; opening free access to the company’s mental health mobile app and 24/7 emotional support phone lines; and providing more than $60 million in support to those affected by COVID-19.
The VF Foundation Contributes $1.5 Million to Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts
The VF Foundation, the private grantmaking organization funded by VF Corporation, announced it will contribute an initial $1.5 million to support local communities around the world. As part of this contribution, The VF Foundation is partnering with VF Corporation to initiate a two-for-one community match campaign, up to an additional $500,000.
Wells Fargo Donates $6.25 Million to Aid in Coronavirus Outbreak
The Wells Fargo Foundation today announced up to $6.25 million in donations to support domestic and global response to COVID-19 and to aid public health relief efforts. The money will be donated to national and international groups in addition to providing local support.
Western Union Launches Worldwide Coronavirus Relief Drive
Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, and the Western Union Foundation announced a $1 million global matching challenge to help fight COVID-19 (coronavirus) and for relief in China and other affected countries. The combined Western Union and Western Union Foundation match will be up to $500,000.
Xcel Energy Stops Power, Gas Shutoffs during COVID-19 Epidemic
Xcel Energy won’t shut off power or gas to its 3.15 million residential customers for unpaid bills for the foreseeable, a move meant ensure people have the power and gas they need through the COVID-19 epidemic.
Earlier this evening, Gov. Jared Polis released a new Executive Order aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. The Executive Order requires Colorado employers, with some exceptions, to reduce in-person workforce by at least 50% by 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 24. It directs all employers to implement remote work solutions to the greatest extent possible and recommends employers stagger work schedules to reduce the proximity of workers if remote work is not practical or possible. The order extends through Friday, April 10.
Employers who can certify that employees are no closer than 6 feet from one another during the workday are exempt. Additional exemptions include:
For more information, please read the full announcement or review the FAQs, which include more detail about each exemption.
If you have critical needs not met by this exemptions list, please feel free to connect with us by emailing katie.doyen@denverchamber.org, so that we can help communicate appropriate needs to Gov. Polis’ administration.
Denver Releases Initial Economic Relief Package
Yesterday, the City and County of Denver announced an initial $4 million relief package to help small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The package offers several resources for businesses and workers:
In addition, the city’s Workforce Centers are offering support to jobseekers online, by phone and via email while the centers are physically closed. Job fairs are going virtual, so jobseekers can access the same job opportunities as they would have been able to do in person. Contact the city’s Workforce Services.
Learn more about the City and County of Denver’s resources for businesses.
Colorado Small Businesses Can Apply for Disaster Loans
Colorado received its declaration Thursday from the Small Business Administration to allow small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. Learn more about these loans or apply directly at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Other News
Health Care Perspectives
Kelly Brough is president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
Colorado Small Businesses Can Apply for SBA Loans
Colorado small businesses can begin applying for low-interest federal disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Program. The state received its declaration today, making these loans available. Eligible entities can receive loans up to $2 million, and interest rates would be no higher than 3.75%.
Our Denver Metro Small Business Development Center can help businesses apply for these loans. Visit www.denversbdc.org/disaster-relief or email info@denversbdc.org.
We are also seeking assistance from banks and lending professionals who would be willing to help small businesses through the lending process. Please email info@denversbdc.org if you or your business can help.
Learn more about these loans or apply directly at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
State Launches Relief Fund
Yesterday, Governor Polis announced the launch of the Colorado Relief Fund to help communities through the COVID-19 crisis.
Mile High United Way and the State of Colorado are operating the fund together with help from community leaders statewide. Funds will provide resources to organizations working in communities disproportionately impacted by the outbreak.
Bank of America, Morgridge Family Foundation and Wells Fargo are underwriting the fees of processing contributions, and several Chamber members are among the organizations to contribute so far. These include Bank of America, Delta Dental Foundation, FirstBank, Rose Community Foundation, The Denver Foundation, Wells Fargo and Xcel Energy. Donate today.
The state also set up a “Help Colorado Now” website at covrn.com, where you can find volunteer opportunities, lists of needed items and links to donate. Tips for staying healthy while volunteering are available at Spark the Change Colorado.
Other Recent State and City Announcements
State and Other Online Resources
The state launched a COVID-19 website at covid19.colorado.gov to help employers, employees and their families. Here are some state and other resources we’ve found:
See a more complete list of resources on the Chamber’s COVID website at denverchamber.org/COVID.
President Signs Federal Relief Bill
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed the Senate and was signed by President Trump on Wednesday. Under the legislation, employers with 500 or fewer employees will be required to provide employees who have worked for them for at least a month with:
The two weeks of paid sick leave apply to anyone:
Part-time workers are eligible, but businesses with fewer than 50 employees, health care providers and emergency responders may be exempted by the U.S. Labor Department.
The bill provides a tax credit to help cover the costs and the credit is applied to the tax the company or nonprofit normally pays for each employee’s Social Security. If the leave ends up costing more than the Social Security bill, the U.S. government will send the employer a check to cover the remaining costs.
Independent contractors who work for multiple employers are eligible for a tax credit of up to two weeks of sick pay at their average pay and 12 weeks of family leave pay at two-thirds their normal rate with the same caps as mentioned above. These workers must show they had to comply with a self-isolation recommendation or that they had to care for a child whose school closed due to the coronavirus.
The bill also provides funding for various food assistance programs and efforts to stabilize and increase access to unemployment insurance.
Read the legislation.
Read the U.S. Chamber of Commerce summary.
We are tracking other developments at the state and federal levels for disaster assistance and will keep you up to date. In the meantime, let’s help reduce the spread by washing our hands, not touching our faces and isolating from others.
Kelly Brough is president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
We are tracking federal legislation and state efforts to ease the burden of the COVID-19 outbreak on businesses, workers and their families.
Federal Legislation to Aid in COVID Relief Being Considered
Federal legislation under consideration aims to provide some relief to employers and employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Family First Coronavirus Response Act, aiming to give paid leave to workers who do not have it and extend paid leave for those who only get a few days. Then on Monday, they voted to amend the legislation.
If the Senate approves the bill and President Trump signs it, employers with 500 or fewer employees will be required to provide paid sick leave to employees who are quarantined, showing symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.
The bill provides a tax credit to cover the costs and support to people who are self-employed.
Read the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Read the latest on the legislation in The Washington Post.
View U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources.
We are watching this legislation closely and working through the U.S. Chamber on these efforts. We will keep you updated as this legislation moves through the process.
State Disaster Relief Loans
Our Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is tracking efforts from the state government that would make disaster relief loans available to small businesses. Currently, only counties that are contiguous to New Mexico, which has received its SBA Disaster Loan declaration, are eligible to seek assistance. These include Archuleta, Costilla, La Plata, Las Animas, Montezuma, Dolores, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose and San Miguel. We will be sure to send out updates as the SBA designates more Colorado communities.
Please check www.denversbdc.org/disaster-relief for the most up-to-date resources and information. The website is a collaboration among the 15 SBDC centers throughout the state.
Helping Your Community
All three sectors are pulling together to help our communities during this time. Learn how you can volunteer or donate.
Kelly Brough is president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
I know we’re all tracking closely the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Colorado, which is changing rapidly. Today we want to provide you with relevant business updates on small business lending, COVID-19 resources, emergency sick leave rules and Chamber operations.
Small Business Resources
Our Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) team is working hard to ensure businesses have access to a range of resources to help them navigate this challenging time. In the next week, we will be rolling out remote one-on-one consulting as well as digital programming for our clients. Our consultants and partners, including the state SBDC network and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), can provide services to assist with disaster loan applications, long-term planning, insurance navigation, physical and economic loss estimates and business preparedness.
The SBA is making available targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. The State of Colorado is currently working with the SBA to secure access for Colorado businesses and we will share details as soon as they are made available. You can learn more about the SBA’s Coronavirus Disaster Relief Lending here. Additionally, the City and County of Denver is working on a small business support plan. They are looking at the expansion of their current tools as well as leveraging federal assistance as it becomes available. We should have more details this week.
If you’re a small business in need of assistance, please email info@denversbdc.org and we will help connect you with available assistance.
COVID-19 Resources
There are a number of resources online that may be helpful to you and your colleagues.
Chamber Operations
Our commitment to serving our members is as strong as ever. Our team is working remotely at this time. We will reschedule large gatherings including this month’s Net90, which was scheduled for Wednesday, as well as the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation Annual Meeting that was planned for March 24. Below is a list of meetings this month that are moving virtual.
All SBDC programs for this week are postponed.
Meetings will be hosted virtually, so please be on the lookout for webinar or conference call details for your meetings with us. While meetings may look a little different in the coming weeks, we will continue to serve our members in every way we can. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@denverchamber.org.
Emergency Sick Leave
As you saw last week, Governor Polis declared a state of emergency for Colorado and triggered emergency rule making by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
CDLE published the Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay Rules on March 11. The rules require that employers provide up to four days of paid sick for employees being tested for COVID-19 in select industries: leisure and hospitality; food services; child care; education, including transportation, food service and related work at educational establishments; home health, if working with elderly, disabled, ill, or otherwise high-risk individuals; and nursing homes and community living facilities.
The requirement is not on top of sick leave an employer already provides and does not cover wage replacement should an employee test positive and require quarantine resulting in lost work time and wages. Other wage replacement options are still under review by CDLE and we will keep you up to date as we learn more. We want to make sure you are aware of all resources available, as we realize this mandate may be difficult for many employers.
Stay in touch
We will keep our members informed as often as needed to ensure we’re providing you with what you need to navigate this challenge. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@denverchamber.org.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
Emergency Rules on Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19 Released; Chamber Update on Events
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) published emergency rules on Wednesday that temporarily require employers in certain industries to provide four days of paid sick leave to employees awaiting COVID-19 testing.
These rules will be in effect for 30 days, or longer if the state of emergency declared by Gov. Polis continues. As part of that executive order, CDLE was directed to:
The Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay Rules requires up to four days of paid sick for employees being tested for COVID-19 in select industries: leisure and hospitality; food services; child care; education, including transportation, food service and related work at educational establishments; home health, if working with elderly, disabled, ill, or otherwise high-risk individuals; and nursing homes and community living facilities.
The requirement is not on top of sick leave an employer already provides and does not cover wage replacement should an employee test positive and require quarantine resulting in lost work time and wages. Other wage replacement options are still under review by CDLE.
Meanwhile, the Chamber has made the difficult decision to begin postponing and canceling large-scale meetings and events held at the Chamber and elsewhere.
Whenever possible, we will make call-in and web-based options available for smaller events. This includes committee meetings. Staff will be in touch to share information as it’s available.
All of us should continue to explore how we create opportunities for our employees to work from home, via conference line or via webinar, in case public health officials recommend that action in the future. Events like this require everyone to pull together as a community. We will provide regular updates regarding the events schedule in the future.
Chamber Testifies at Hearing for Public Health Insurance Option Bill
On Wednesday, Denver Metro Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough testified in strong opposition to House Bill 1349, a bill that directs the Division of Insurance to develop and implement an insurance plan in the individual and small group market. The legislation would force the participation of hospitals and insurance carriers with reimbursement and premiums rates set by the government.
The bill passed through the House Health & Insurance Committee with a 7-4 party line vote and sent to the Committee on Appropriations.
The Chamber released the following statement Tuesday regarding the legislation in advance of the hearing:
“The proposed government-run health insurance option shifts costs around rather than addresses the drivers of health care costs. The proposal would dictate a one-size-fits-all approach that would cut rates to providers and mandate participation by hospitals and insurance carriers across our state. Forcing insurers to provide a government-mandated product in markets in which they may not operate only increases inefficiencies and will cost employers and their employees more. The Colorado Option gives extensive power to a single appointed official and appointed board, a risky and unpredictable approach to policy making. We support a market-based effort that increases access to health care, drives down costs for all and is flexible for the wide range of communities, workers and businesses that make up our state. That isn’t what is being proposed.”
We also circulated a fact sheet to legislators that included the names of 19 organizations that signed on on to voice their opposition.
The fact sheet lays out how the legislation gives “sweeping authority” to the Commissioner of Insurance. The Commissioner will have the power to:
The fact sheet also details how the Colorado Option does nothing to solve the health care cost puzzle, because it simply shifts costs around rather than addressing the actual drivers of high cost. It may actually add inefficiencies by forcing insurers to be in markets where they may not operate otherwise.
“Our interests lie in finding solutions that get at the root of costs across the entire health care system,” Brough testified.
Bill Encouraging Strategic Capital Investment Passes Unanimously
House Bill 1298, which extends a program to encourage businesses to invest in capital projects and job creation in our state, passed unanimously through the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee following our testimony in support.
House Bill 1298 leverages framework created by programs like the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit and Colorado Enterprise Zone Program.
“These programs overseen by the Colorado Economic Development Commission provide modest, performance-based tax credits for economic activity that enhance the economic health of our state and its residents,” testified Sam Bailey, vice president of economic development for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, on behalf of the Chamber family of organizations Wednesday. “They provide a good balance between our need to compete with other communities around the U.S. who are pursuing the same companies and same jobs – with diligence for the investment taxpayers make through these programs.”
The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp (D-Arvada), Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Sen. Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) and Sen. Jack Tate (R-Centennial).
