Last week, the Colorado Chamber sent a joint letter to legislators outlining pending bills that are harmful to Colorado’s economy and business climate as the General Assembly reaches the final weeks of the session. These bills would increase the cost of business in Colorado and would likely make the state a less attractive place to do business.
“We want to highlight the bills that represent the greatest harm to Colorado’s economy and business climate, and ask for your help in ensuring that these bills do not become law,” the letter states. “Each would increase costs to residents and employers already burdened by 40-year record high inflation rates, and contribute to the erosion of Colorado’s reputation as a place where employers are welcomed and their businesses able to thrive.”
The list includes nine bills that would have the most negative impact on businesses in Colorado. One of the most important highlights is HB 1244 regarding air toxics, which would expand the authority of the Air Quality Control Commission and create a new one-size-fits-all air emissions program that could have a sweeping effect on businesses with industrial or manufacturing operations in Colorado. This would create new regulatory burdens and costs for industrial needs for various chemicals. The Colorado Chamber and its members have been aggressively working against the bill this session.
Another notable bill on the list is SB 230 regarding collective bargaining for counties, which would allow public employees of a county to have the right to engage in collective bargaining and other employee organizations. This would drive up costs through unfunded mandates and rob local governments of local control.
House Bill 1355 regarding producer responsibility was also highlighted as bad for business. The bill would create a new and unregulated nonprofit that would implement recycling services for various businesses and schools. This bill would require membership from certain Colorado businesses, including undisclosed fees companies would need to pay. The cost of consumer goods would effectively rise, disadvantaging Colorado businesses competing with out of state producers.
The letter also opposes the following bills: House Bill 1122, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Prohibited Practices; House Bill 1287, Protections For Mobile Home Park Residents; House Bill 1325, Primary Care Alternative Payment Models; House Bill 1362, Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions; House Bill 1363, Accountability To Taxpayers Special Districts; and House Bill 1370, Coverage Requirements For Health-care Products.
Joining the Colorado Chamber in the letter was the Colorado Competitive Council and 11 other local chambers of commerce. Read the full letter by clicking here.