In this Capitol Report:
Colorado Chamber Announces Endorsements for 2020 Election
This week, the Colorado Chamber announced its endorsements for the November 2020 General Election. The bipartisan list of endorsements follows an extensive vetting and interview process and approval from the Colorado Chamber’s Political Action Committee and Board of Directors. The interviews were conducted earlier this month over the course of several days.
“These candidates all demonstrate in their own way a commitment to a prosperous economic environment and dedication to the business community of Colorado,” said Loren Furman, senior vice president of state and federal relations. “They’ve exhibited a thorough understanding of the issues, a willingness to listen and engage with employers, and an ability to work across the aisle when needed to make sure the voice of business is heard. From incumbents with a proven record of fighting for business to candidates that show great potential, the Colorado Chamber’s endorsements represent our trust in a strong working relationship between these leaders and the business community for years to come.”
The Colorado Chamber and approximately 50 representatives from business and industry conducted roughly 30 candidate interviews in-person and via video conference. Candidates were pressed on policy questions ranging from employment, energy, health care, and more. They were also assessed on their understanding of how business works and their willingness to work with the business community on legislation.
The candidate vetting and endorsement process, which the Colorado Chamber conducts every two years, includes detailed analyses of candidates’ campaigns, fundraising, legislative districts, and voter performance and history. The endorsements include both open seats and incumbents across the political spectrum.
View the Colorado Chamber’s press release here.
View the article Colorado Chamber reveals legislative endorsements — and some are unexpected by Ed Sealover the Denver Business Journal.
Colorado Chamber Board of Directors Votes to Support Ballot Initiative 304
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce this week announced support for Ballot Initiative 304, which is currently in the signature collection process for approval by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.
The initiative would allow a fiscal impact statement to be included in a ballot initiative’s language, so Coloradans understand the full economic effects of ballot proposals. Currently, the only information voters receive regarding economic impact of a proposal is its direct impact on the state budget. Initiative 304 would provide additional information on a proposal’s impact on public and private sector employment, job gains or losses, the overall state economy, revenues and taxes. This information would appear directly on the ballot.
“All too often when lawmakers or advocacy groups look to create costly new state programs, the burden falls on the business community to foot the bill,” said Colorado Chamber President Chuck Berry. “When these issues make it to the ballot, voters should know just how much they will cost, who pays, and what the impacts will be. Initiative 304 is about transparency and providing voters with an accurate reflection of how future ballot initiatives impact the overall health of our economy.”
To view the ballot language, click here. For the Colorado Chamber’s press release, click here.
Gov. Polis Urges Employers to Continue Maximizing Remote Work
Gov. Jared Polis this week is asking for help from the business community to curb the spread of COVID-19 by maximizing remote work for employees and encouraging social distancing and mask wearing in office environments.
“We would like to ask for your help to support office environments to continue to achieve higher and higher levels of social distancing and prevention, as appropriate for an individual organization,” Gov. Polis said in a letter to business leaders. “Specifically, remote work is one of our best social distancing strategies, with minimal economic impact. As such, we strongly recommend that employers continue to maximize the use of telecommuting whenever possible.”
According to the governor’s letter, a recent analysis from the Colorado School of Public Health suggests a correlation between COVID-19 outbreaks in office environments and overall lower levels of social distancing. Gov. Polis has issued a statewide mask order as well as a 10pm cut-off for alcohol sales statewide.
View Gov. Polis’ full letter by clicking Letter to Business Leaders.