That’s not to say business leaders didn’t fight the bill. Loren Furman, senior vice president of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, said a provision changing the definition of what constitutes taxable property in regard to software — a clause that would clarify that streaming services like Spotify or Netflix can be taxed even as Netflix is […]
In the News
OP-ED: Lawmakers’ double standard on workplace harassment
As the General Assembly approaches its final weeks, major legislation impacting businesses is getting closer to crossing the finish line. One of those bills is Senate Bill 176, which would implement sweeping changes to Colorado’s workplace harassment laws. The bill is well-intended — no individual should ever face uncomfortable or unsafe situations in the workplace due […]
DBJ: Capitol Business Preview: Workers’ compensation changes on fast track
By Ed Sealover for the Denver Business Journal Sponsors of a bill to allow significant expansion of doctor choice for patients going through the workers’ compensation system originally painted it as one they held little expectations for passing this year, saying instead that it was needed to start a long-term conversation. Not only did Senate Bill […]
DBJ: Unemployment taxes are becoming burdensome, but Colorado government could help if it wants
By Ed Sealover for the Denver Business Journal At the end of March, Colorado owed $1 billion to the federal government for loans that allowed it to continue paying unemployment insurance benefits after the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund went broke in August. Also, the state expected to receive $3.9 billion in new stimulus payments from […]
News Roundup: $1.8 Billion in New Taxes & Regulations Per Year for Colorado Businesses
The Denver Post: Colorado business community asks legislature for a timeout on new regulations and higher taxes A coalition of business groups pleaded with Colorado lawmakers Tuesday to avoid passing any legislation, however well-intentioned, that would make it more complicated or costly to do business in the state. “We need our state leaders to simply […]
Center Square: Cutting health care budgets will make this recession worse for working women
Op-Ed by Simon Lomax for Center Square One of the biggest challenges in politics and public policy is that people spend most of their time working in silos. That is, they work on a narrow range of issues or even just one issue. Reporters have beats. Lawmakers have committee assignments. Subject matter experts usually work […]
OP-ED: Don’t Block Business’ Recovery
Op-ed by Loren Furman and Rachel Beck for Colorado Politics When it comes to an economic recovery from the pandemic, recent data has shed light on where Colorado stands compared to other states — and it doesn’t look good. While neighboring states have regained nearly all of the jobs lost last year, Colorado’s unemployment rate is […]
In the News: Five Organizations Working to Strengthen Local Economies
Prevailing ideology holds that companies and entrepreneurs drive a region’s economic development by creating new jobs and boosting tourism. In some circumstances, these entities can contribute to a community’s growth. In no particular order, here are a few organizations committed to supporting local businesses and boosting their success. … Next up at #2 is the […]
DBJ: Some $7.4B in annual Colorado tax breaks affect every sector. Can business leaders protect them?
By Ed Sealover for the Denver Business Journal Colorado law offers 236 different tax exemptions, deductions and credits totaling some $7.4 billion in any given year, ranging from broad breaks on energy used in manufacturing to narrowly targeted credits that the state has not recorded anyone taking in years. And as the 2021 legislative session […]
DBJ: Why Colorado business leaders have mixed reactions to special legislative session
By Ed Sealover for the Denver Business Journal Following a three-day special session in which Colorado legislators passed 10 bills, including eight with stimulus money for various sectors, business leaders said they are grateful for any aid but see it only offering marginal help to small firms reeling from coronavirus restrictions. Four of the 10 […]