In the News
May 16, 2010 - Legislators give Colorado businesses a working over
Denver Post, Steve Raabe - Commercial interests won a share of political battles in the legislature. On balance, however, the session that ended Wednesday was perceived by some advocacy groups as hard on business. "It's been one of the most difficult ever for businesses," said Dan Pilcher, senior vice president of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry..."There were a lot of really bad-for-business bills," said Loren Furman, CACI's vice president of governmental affairs. "The result is that employers won't be hiring as many people, wages will be cut and businesses won't be investing as much as they would have."
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May 13, 2010 - Ritter defends Legislature’s record on business issues
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - A number of Ritter staffers met with CACI’s board members and councils throughout the session, and those members were very vocal about their displeasure over actions such as suspension of the $48 million sales-tax exemption on energy used in manufacturing, said Loren Furman, CACI vice president of government affairs. And Ritter was not himself in contact with top CACI officials to gauge their support, she said.
“I don’t think we have been mincing words,” Furman said. “In fact, it’s just the opposite.”
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May 13, 2010 - This bill’s got problems
ColoradoBiz, Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry - "The Senate Finance Committee has approved HB-1200, which would limit enterprise-zone investment tax credits. The bill passed on a party-line four-to-three vote. CACI opposes the bill."
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May 12, 2010 - Ritter orders tracking of tax-credit recipients after proposal dies in Legislature
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - Added Loren Furman, vice president of government affairs for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry: “The Legislature has made a clear decision on this issue by defeating this bill. It is very unfortunate that there has been an action to circumvent that decision.”
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May 7, 2010 - Equal-pay argument stirs in waning days of session
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - "But Donnah Moody, a contract lobbyist for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry who served on the 2007 commission, said the tendency of a group like this is to examine what businesses are doing wrong rather than why different pay doesn’t equal inequitable pay."
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May 7, 2010 - Business-incentives study measure dies in Colorado Senate
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - "Companies need to have predictability as to what tax credits will be maintained or eliminated,” said Loren Furman, vice president of governmental affairs for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, after the bill died. “By having these kinds of studies and reviews and reports after they took the steps to get rid of (exemptions) in January, these companies are fearful they won’t have those tax credits in the future."
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May 7, 2010 - TRUTH TEST: Republicans attack Hickenlooper
9 News, Adam Schrager - "At the time, business groups like the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry said nearly three-quarters of its members said they would delay planned expansion and more than half would cut wages and not hire new workers if those measures became law."
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April 19, 2010 - CACI the latest to join the kill-bills parade
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - And now the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry has become the latest organization to write to legislative leaders asking them to kill a handful of bills for the economy’s sake.
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April 18, 2010 - Colorado employers can expect rate increases for unemployment insurance
Denver Post, Aldo Svaldi - Loren Furman, vice president of governmental affairs with the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, said "businesses weren't aware of how quickly the fund was being drained and would like earlier notice in the future."
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March 3, 2010 - Mark Tapscott: Business leaders swarm hill to fight card check
Washington Examiner, Mark Tapscott - "Bennet asked us why we were here for a bill that won't even be coming to the floor for a vote," Flanagan said. "But Vice President Joe Biden just said two days ago that card check is not dead, so we want to make sure they hear from us on it."
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March 2, 2010 - No consensus on 'card check' in meeting between Bennet, Colorado business leaders
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - CACI board president Tom Flanagan said "the meeting was similar to last year’s, with businesses saying that current law strikes a balance between management and workers and that this bill is just an effort to revive flagging union membership."
"Rumors of compromise bills keeping the secret ballot but mandating allowance of union organizers into workplaces abound, but industry leaders are not interested in them," Flanagan said.
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March 1, 2010 - Coloradans join U.S. Chamber's bid to sink union-organizing bill
Denver Post, Greg Griffin - "We can't let elected officials think we've forgotten about this," said Tom Flanagan, division president of Citywide Banks and CACI's chairman. "Our whole mission is to see if we can kill this. We're not interested in compromising."
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February 22, 2010 - Ignoring the impact of tax increases on businesses
Denver Post, Chuck Berry - Over the last two weeks, the Colorado General Assembly has vigorously debated 11 bills that will suspend or eliminate business tax exemptions, credits and exclusions when signed by Gov. Bill Ritter. During committee hearings that dragged late into the night, business owners showed up en mass to testify to the potential tax increases that the bills will mandate and the actions they say they will have to take to offset the added costs...
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February 19, 2010 - Business girds for new brawl in Statehouse
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - "The bill will disproportionately affect companies that do most of their business locally, several officials said. These range from startup high-tech companies concentrating on research and development to Denver’s professional sports teams," said Loren Furman, vice president of government affairs for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI).
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February 12, 2010 - Tax-exemption fight fallout expected
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - ...Added Loren Furman, vice president of government relations for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI): “Certainly this has been an important issue to us, and I think there would be many legislators that we wouldn’t endorse because of the position they’ve taken on this.”
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February 11, 2010 - Two Dems vote with GOP to block Obama's labor-board nominee
Denver Post, Sam Hananel - ...Several business groups in Colorado had spoken out against the nomination anyway.
"It is disappointing that Sens. Bennet and Udall chose to support a nominee whose views are out of step with the needs — and rights — of workers and employers alike," said Chuck Berry, president of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry.
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February 5, 2010 - Eliminate some of state's tax exemptions
Denver Post - Representatives of the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry contend it's improper to tax a manufacturing input, which is used to create a retail product that is taxed again. They call it double taxation, and we find that argument persuasive.
They also say that, as originally formulated, the lack of taxes on industrial energy consumption was an exclusion, not an exemption. If that is the case, it would seem lawmakers could wade into legal trouble with this bill.
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Jan 10, 2010 - State business lobbyists defend industry tax breaks that lawmakers may target
Denver Post, Miles Moffeit - ..."The business community has made significant sacrifices already," said Loren Furman, vice president of governmental affairs for the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry, noting that the General Assembly applied more than $100 million in fees on businesses to shoring up last year's budget. "Based on the current economic environment and these types of decisions by the state, many businesses have had to make difficult decisions, including laying off large numbers of employees."
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Jan 8, 2010 - Colorado jobless fund needs loan
Denver Post, Tim Hoover - ...The Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry and other business groups have been talking with the department for the past couple of weeks and mulling possible legislation, said Loren Furman, the group's vice president of governmental affairs.
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Jan 1, 2010 - Businesses prepare to play defense in legislative session
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - ...“Obviously, we’re interested in sustaining private-sector jobs and urging the Legislature not to do anything to increase unemployment,” said Chuck Berry, president, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry. “We’re against anything that will raise the cost of doing business and discourage companies from keeping the people they have, let alone creating new jobs.”
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Oct 28, 2009 - Business group elects longtime banker as chair
Denver Post - The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, a Colorado business coalition, elected longtime banker Tom Flanagan, a division president for Citywide Banks, as chair.
"CACI's top priority this coming legislative session will be to oppose efforts in the legislature to increase taxes on businesses to balance the state budget," Flanagan said...
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Oct 27, 2009 - Governor Ritter Press Release following CACI Annual Meeting
Gov. Bill Ritter told the state's largest business organization today that manufacturing and innovation will be key catalysts that drive Colorado's economy toward recovery and out of the recession.
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Oct 23-29, 2009 - Flanagan Takes Helm at CACI
Denver Business Journal - Longtime Denver banker Tom Flanagan, president of CityWide Banks, will be inducted Oct. 27 as the new chairman of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI). The Denver Business Journal interviewed him by phone on Oct. 20 about the statewide chamber of commerce’s top priorities and other issues.
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Oct 6, 2009 - 2006 Tax Changes Costs Colorado $60 Million
Denver Post, Miles Moffeit - The 2006 measure, known as "Special Regulation 7" was backed by the state business community, including the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry and the state software industry association.
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Oct 2, 2009 - Dropping Tax Incentives Would Harm State's Business Climate
Denver Business Journal Opinion, Dan Pilcher, CACI - Eliminating six critical business-tax incentives - which some legislator advocate to generate more revenue for state government - would force businesses to pay millions of dollars more in taxes, inhibit job retention and creation, and cramp state and local economic development efforts, according to a statewide survey of companies by the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI)...
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Aug 12, 2009 - Employers to Speak at Pinnacol Hearing
Denver Post, Tim Hoover - In an e-mail to the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, Carroll asks that policyholders give input on how the state-chartered insurance fund is serving employers and whether it should be privatized or brought back firmly under state control.
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Aug 11, 2009 - Businesses Like Their Tax Breaks
Denver Post, Miles Moffeit - The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry sought to drive home the high stakes of such a move, saying some businesses believe their operations would be seriously threatened if tax breaks are removed.
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July 18, 2009 - Labor Bill Rewrite in Works in Colorado
Denver Post, Andy Vuong - "We're glad that one onerous provision was removed, but the danger remains," said Peter O'Connor, board chairman of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the statewide chamber.
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Jun 2, 2009 - Ritter Signs more Colorado Business Bills
Denver Business Journal, by Ed Sealover - ...But despite the compromise, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and other business groups encouraged Ritter to veto the bill. Loren Furman, a lobbyist for CACI last month said good intentions aside, SB 244 “adds new mandates and increases the cost of health care at a time when businesses are trying to control costs.”
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Mar 6, 2009 - Health care ‘provider fee’ draws praise, criticism
Denver Business Journal - Chuck Berry, president and CEO of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, commended Ritter for “taking the lead” to address low Medicaid reimbursements — a problem that contributes to fast-rising health care premiums that businesses pay.
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Mar 27, 2009 - 40 Business Leaders Headed to Washington
Denver Business Journal, Ed Sealover - Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry officials will lead a group of 40 business leaders — the largest business lobbying contingent from the state to go to Washington, D.C. — to try to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act.
The delegation, which leaves March 31 for a two-day trip, plans to meet with all of Colorado’s congressional representatives and with U.S. Chamber of Commerce-led delegations from seven other states.
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Feb 25, 2009 - All eyes on state of unions
Denver Post - "Colorado is a battleground on this issue because its junior senator, Michael Bennet, has yet to take a stance on the legislation," said Chuck Berry, president of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the local arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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Jan 23, 2009 - Economy, health costs concern state businesses
Denver Post - The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry polls 300 companies as part of a marketing campaign.
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Jan 12, 2009 - Mining Ban Set Aside by Colorado Supreme Court
The Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry filed a brief in support of CMA's petition, citing the need for reasonable governmental regulation of business and industry, as did the state of Colorado, which cited the importance of state regulation of mining.
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Nov 9, 2008 - No regrets for Amend. 47 push
Dan Pilcher, chief operating officer of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, a supporter of Amendment 47, said the relationship between business and labor is now "more difficult than it has been in prior years."
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Apr 3, 2008 - Ritter's pleas on ballot issues go unheeded
Rocky Mountain News - Business and labor factions are pressing ahead with competing voter initiatives despite efforts by Gov. Bill Ritter to discourage them.
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Apr 2, 2008 - Biz, labor urged to work it out... Ritter steps in...
The Denver Post - Hoping to avoid an ugly confrontation between business and labor this fall, Gov. Bill Ritter wants the two sides to withdraw their competing ballot measures, his spokesman said Tuesday.
...Dan Pilcher, spokesman for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, which has endorsed the right-to-work initiative, said his organization wouldn't automatically rule out talks.
"All options are open to everybody, but no one has contacted us about such discussions or dialogue," Pilcher said. "I think as an organization we would always be open to considering anything."
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Apr 1, 2008 - Labor group pushing five ballot initiatives
Associated Press - ...Business groups vowed to fight the initiatives.
"The business community doesn't feel like this was a fight that it initiated by any means whatsoever," said Dan Pilcher, a spokesman for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, which supports the right-to-work proposal.
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Mar 28, 2008 - Chamber move sets stage for labor, business battle
Rocky Mountain News - The state chamber of commerce endorsed a right-to-work ballot initiative Thursday, ratcheting up the rhetoric in a looming battle between business and labor in this fall's election.
The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, known as CACI, says it's reacting to a half-dozen possible ballot initiatives backed by the state's labor unions. The proposed initiatives restrict employers' ability to fire workers and create new liabilities for corporate executives for criminal action.
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Mar 27, 2008 - CACI throws support to right-to-work ballot measure
Denver Business Journal - The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry said Thursday it will support one proposed ballot initiative but oppose four others... "CACI's clear mission is to champion a healthy Colorado business climate," said Alan Poe, chairman of the CACI board, "and the CACI board's action today is directly in line with that mission."
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Mar 21, 2008 - Business, unions prepare for initiative battles
Denver Business Journal - Colorado businesses could spend millions of dollars campaigning against proposed ballot initiatives that -- if voters approve in November -- would devastate the state's employment environment, business leaders say.
A coalition of labor unions backs a handful of measures intended to crack down on corporate fraud, require employers to provide health care insurance and bar companies from firing workers without notice or reasonable cause.
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Mar 3, 2008 - CACI advocates for a healthy economy statewide
Colorado Springs Business Journal - Colorado businesses seeking a voice in state policymaking have relied on the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry to advocate for their interests for more than four decades. As the statewide chamber of commerce, CACI champions a healthy business climate.
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