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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber today announced a growing coalition of diverse business and industry groups opposed to House Bill 1118, the fair workweek scheduling bill. The Chamber has raised concerns that the proposal would drive businesses out of the state and hurt Colorado’s economic competitiveness.
HB 1118 imposes broad new regulations and restrictions on how employers manage employee workweek schedules and pay. Under the bill, employers would be required to release all work schedules at least two weeks in advance and provide predictability pay and retention pay to workers. It would impact thousands of public and private employers across the state, creating inflexible requirements that fail to consider the basic operational needs of businesses and the nature of unpredictable industries.
The diverse coalition of more than 65 business groups reflects the sweeping nature of HB 1118. These punitive new scheduling requirements would be felt not only by the hospitality industry, but also health care providers, public entities like schools, social service providers, and more. While the bill’s proponents claim it will only impact employers with 250 or more employees, as drafted, it would also apply to small and independent businesses that have more than one location in Colorado.
“The harsh reality of this bill is that it will lead to fewer available jobs for workers, lower pay and less flexibility – all while driving businesses out of the state. As written, it’s the most punitive of its kind in the country and the Colorado Chamber will utilize all resources available to oppose it,” Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman said last week after the bill was introduced.
The growing list of business groups opposed to HB 1118 are as follows:
Restaurant, Retail, Hotels/Lodging, Trade, Healthcare and Tourism:
Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology
Colorado Association of School Executives
Colorado Bankers Association
Colorado Beverage Association
Colorado Brewers Guild
Colorado Cider Guild
Colorado Contractors Association
Colorado Convenience Stores Association
Colorado Event Alliance
Colorado Gaming Association
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
Colorado Restaurant Association
Colorado Retail Council
CO/WY Petroleum Marketers Association
Hispanic Contractors of Colorado
International Council of Shopping Centers
Kodiak Building Partners
National Utilities Contractors Association
Powersports Dealers Assoc. of Colorado
Rocky Mountain Food Industry Assoc.
The Tavern League of Colorado
Tourism Industry Association
Wagner Equipment Co.
Visit Denver
Regional Economic Development and Local Chambers:
Adams County Regional Econ Partnership
Alamosa Chamber of Commerce
Arvada Chamber of Commerce
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Broomfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce
Colorado River Valley Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Craig Chamber of Commerce
Denver Metro Chamber
Douglas County Business Association
Durango Chamber of Commerce
Estes Chamber of Commerce
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Golden Chamber of Commerce
Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Brighton Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau
Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce
Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce
Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce
Jefferson County Business Lobby
Longmont Chamber of Commerce
Loveland Chamber of Commerce
Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance
Northwest Douglas County Chamber & EDC
Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
South Metro Denver Chamber
Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce
Vail Valley Partnership
Westminster Chamber of Commerce
West Chamber (Jefferson County)
West Metro Chamber of Commerce
Statewide Business Organizations:
American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Competitive Council
Colorado Concern
Economic Development Council of Colorado
National Federation of Independent Businesses
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The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.