In this Capitol Report:
Energy and Environment Council Votes to Oppose SB 168
The Colorado Chamber’s Energy & Environment Council this week voted to oppose Senate Bill 168, which modifies the tax structure of community solar gardens and coal.
In order to continue and expand Colorado’s community solar garden tax exemption, the bill essentially increases taxes on the production of coal – shifting the tax burden from one source of energy to another.
Increasing the taxes assessed on coal facilities will ultimately increase the cost of energy for individuals and businesses. This also has the potential to set a precedent for other forms of energy in future legislation.
SB 168 passed out of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy this week and will move on to the Senate Finance Committee.
Division of Labor Releases New Guidance on COMPS Order (Overtime Rule)
The Colorado Division of Labor & Statistics has made available the Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #36 Poster on their website which can be found here: COMPS Order #36 – Informational Page. This is the “Poster” to use to comply with the “Posting and Distribution Requirements” COMPS Rule 7.4. As a reminder, Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (“COMPS Order”) #36 is effective March 16, 2020. Those standards and the final Rule are based on an exhaustive stakeholder and hearing process held in 2019 through the beginning of 2020.
The Division has also provided guidance on the Division’s Laws, Regulations, and Guidance webpage and include the following INFO documents:
INFO # 1: Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order) #36
INFO # 2: DLSS Wage Claim Investigation Process
INFO # 3 Tips (Gratuities) and Tipped Employees Under Colorado Wage Law
The Division’s INFOs are not binding law, but they are the Division’s officially approved opinions and notices to employers, employees, and other stakeholders as to how the Division applies and interprets various statutes and rules. The Division will continue to post and update INFOs on various topics.
Colorado Chamber Joins Logan County Business Leaders for Annual State of the Community
Members of Colorado’s Eastern Plains business community gathered at the CSU Northeast Regional Engagement Center on February 27 in Sterling for the annual State of Our Community Business Roundtable. Glenna Aurich, executive director of the Logan County Chamber introduced the panel representing local government and business leaders including Lyn Frank, representing RE-1 Valley School District; Dr. Jay Lee, president of Northeastern Junior College; Joe McBride, Logan County Commissioner; Don Saling, Sterling City Manager; and Wade Tyrrell, CEO of Sterling Regional MedCenter/Banner Health. The panelists shared major accomplishments from 2019 as well as projects underway for 2020, and Lauren Schwartz from the Colorado Chamber shared a 2019 legislative summary as well as business priorities that the Chamber is currently focused on in 2020.
If you haven’t visited this community recently, you would be impressed at the civic pride and sense of collaboration among these community leaders, which have contributed to beautification and infrastructure projects, outdoor recreation and economic development opportunities, as well as Sterling’s recent designation as one of 26 official state Creative Districts in Colorado.
The Colorado Chamber Truly Appreciates Our Policy Council Supporters!
During the legislative session, our 6 policy councils meet each month to discuss the hundreds of bills that are introduced every legislative Session. The Councils include: Health Care Council; Tax Council; Energy & Environment Council; Labor & Employment Council; Governmental Affairs Council; Federal Council.
Colorado Chamber members serve on each of these Councils and provide significant expertise on policy issues and guidance to our lobby team on legislation.
We are very grateful to the supporters and sponsors of our Councils which include:
- Aurora Chamber of Commerce
- Colorado Association of Mechanical & Plumbing Contractors
- Colorado Rural Electric Association
- Deloitte
- Kaiser Permanente
- Sherman & Howard
- United Power
- Waste Management
If you wish to sponsor a council, please contact Laura Moss at [email protected].