The 2025 legislative session is in full swing as Colorado Chamber policy councils gather to discuss upcoming legislation impacting the business community and receive updates from key leaders.
Last Friday, the Colorado Chamber Tax Council welcomed Representative William Lindstedt, chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee. Rep. Lindstedt shared his goals for the session, his approach to leading the finance committee and plans to address budget challenges. He also discussed his upcoming legislation, including a tax credit for employee-owned businesses and the extension of the Advanced Industry Investment Income Tax Credit Program.
Representative Naquetta Ricks, house chair of the Business Affairs and Labor Committee, joined the Colorado Chamber Labor & Employment Council on Wednesday to discuss her priorities as chair, her approach to balancing business and labor interests and her experience as founder and president of the African Chamber of Commerce.
The Colorado Chamber took positions on the following bills:
Tax Council Positions:
HB 1021: Support
The bill aims to encourage and help businesses become employee-owned by offering tax benefits and support for both business owners and nonprofits assisting with the transition. This bill introduces changes to income tax laws that will take effect starting in 2027 and go until 2038.
HB 1095: Amend
The bill requires that when someone challenges their property’s value in a protest or hearing, they must comply with the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice. The Chamber is working with bill sponsors to amend the bill to narrow its application to the Board of Assessments Appeals and add value thresholds.
HB 1157: Support
The bill extends the Advanced Industry Investment Income Tax Credit Program for five years and reduces the annual credit allocation to $2.5 million, down from $4 million. It also broadens eligibility by allowing manufacturing firms with out-of-state sales and changing the ownership criteria for qualification.
SB 046: Amend to Support
The bill establishes confidentiality standards to protect taxpayer information used in sales and use tax investigations conducted by third parties on behalf of local taxing jurisdictions. The Chamber received further clarification on the intent of the bill and moved to a “support” position.
Labor & Employment Council Positions:
HB 1208: Support
The bill requires any local government implementing a minimum wage higher than the state minimum wage to also establish a tip offset for food and beverage employees. This offset must equal the difference between the local and state minimum wages, plus $3.02.