Colorado Workers for a Better Business Climate

A project of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce

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We love living and working in Colorado. But misguided policies at the capitol are making it more and more expensive for workers to live here and for businesses to operate here.

Colorado Workers for a Better Business Climate understands that a pro-business climate fostering prosperity is good for all Coloradans.

Key Issues

COVID-19 Recovery: Coloradans Can't Afford Anti-Business Policies

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on Colorado's economy. With record unemployment, mass layoffs, and many businesses closing their doors, the right policy solutions are critical. We need to put ourselves in the best position to foster an economic recovery, assist businesses in rehiring employees, and implement common-sense policies that protect workers and businesses alike.

Unfortunately, some lawmakers don't see it that way. Rather than helping businesses and their employees through these challenging times, they are pushing for policies that would impose crippling costs and regulatory burdens on businesses. For example, in the 2020 legislative session, state legislators tried to pass a massive tax increase on the business community through HB 1420, which would have devastated employers and their employees across the state.

As we approach the 2021 legislative session in January, lawmakers need to understand that in order to help workers recover from this crisis, we must help the businesses that employ them.

The Colorado Public Option

Colorado lawmakers have long been trying to pass a state public option for health insurance and this year, they're pushing for House Bill 1232 to fulfill that goal.

In order to fund lower premium rates for individual plans, the bill would impose measures that shift costs to employer-sponsored health care plans. Under this bill, if you currently receive your health insurance through your employer like most Coloradans, your premium rates will inevitably increase to fund this plan.

Initial estimates project a cost-shift between $830 million and $1 billion on employer-sponsored health care plans, translating into a potential loss of between 4,300 and 5,200 jobs in Colorado. It also could result in other unintended consequences, like reduced benefits or salaries for workers, reduced staffing at hospitals, and fewer private sector options – all while businesses and employees are trying to recover from the economic losses caused by COVID-19.

The cost of health insurance continues to rise and lawmakers should work towards finding balanced solutions to address the problem. HB 1232 would only make the problem worse for many Coloradans.

Action Center

Take action to Keep Colorado Working and fight bad policies that will hurt our economy.

We are facing the worst economic crisis in decades.

Colorado workers and businesses can’t afford a costly new public health insurance option.

Sign your name if you oppose House Bill 1232!