Colorado Concern 
 June 4, 2012
The Week in Review

 

 

Tamra WardMy sincere thanks to those of you who were able to join us this morning for our All Member Meeting  where we discussed what the 2012 elections mean to Colorado's business community and why it is important for our leaders to engage in state candidate elections. 

 

As you know, Colorado Concern - as an exclusive alliance of top executives with a common interest in enhancing and protecting the Centennial State's business climate - has three areas of focus:  legislative advocacy, which was at the forefront over the last five months while the General Assembly was in session; statewide ballot issues, both promoting measures we believe are of benefit to the state and fighting those we deem harmful; and raising and spending resources in state candidate elections. 

 

It seems evident that candidate elections are the starting point of our work together and directly impact the tone and the tenor of how we engage in our other focus areas. When we work to elect state policy makers who understand and embrace the ideals of the business community - be they Republican or Democrat - other efforts we support to move our state forward come more easily. When candidates who do not align with a business friendly philosophy are in office, our stance is often more defensive, and our tasks more difficult. 

 

Today, in Colorado, checks and balances exist in state government. The legislative branch is divided with one chamber in the hands of each political party. This divided control has been effective in limiting anti-business legislation. We support balance going forward, whether as it exists today or in another configuration. Will this be possible? We will work diligently to that end. Reapportionment of legislative districts has created highly competitive races, and efforts by groups such as ours will be critical.

 

Colorado Concern utilizes both a Political Action Committee (PAC) and a 527, The Business Opportunity Fund, in support of candidates who align with sound business principles. Our messaging is pro-business and pro-Colorado. We work with other like-minded organizations and individuals to ensure a strategic and wise use of resources.  

 

We need your help to ensure our efforts are successful. Click here for a pledge sheet to contribute to The Business Opportunity Fund. Simply fill it out and return to us using the contact information on the sheet.  No limits exist on the size of financial contributions our 527 can accept, and no legal restrictions are placed on who may contribute.  

 

If you are interested in participating, but would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact me at (303) 860-1201 or [email protected]. Know that your support will make the difference.

 

Warm Regards,

Tamra

Tamra J. Ward

President and CEO

Colorado Concern

Members in the News
 
 
David Palmer
Denver Business Journal: May 18
Colorado Concern Upcoming Events
 
Below is a list of upcoming Colorado Concern events.  Click here for more details and to register to attend.
  
Wednesday, June 27: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch Hosted by Kay Norton
Noon to 1:30 p.m., McCormick's Fish House
 
Friday, June 29: Colorado Concern Luncheon with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., History Colorado
Colorado Concern News Clips

 

 

Economic Development

 

New Xerox call center to bring hundreds of jobs to Greeley

Denver Post: May 30

 

Caroll: The truth about job creators

Denver Post: May 30

 

Gaylord to reorganize, won't proceed with Aurora hotel as planned

Denver Business Journal: May 31

 

More tech startups moving to Boulder

Denver Business Journal: June 1

 

Beer here! And there, and everywhere

Denver Business Journal: June 1

 

Aurora eco-devo chief confident Gaylord hotel will go forward

Denver Business Journal: June 1

 

Education

Editorial: Expand West Denver Prep charter school to North High School campus

Denver Post: May 29

 

Cepeda: School principals don't last long with education's revolving door

Denver Post: May 29

 

Guest Commentary: Private-sector career colleges in Colorado play vital role

Denver Post: June 1

 

Elections/Politics

For Mitt Romney, Bain Capital's record mixed in Colorado

Denver Post: May 29

 

Guest Commentary: Colorado needs a PUC commissioner with clean energy goals

Denver Post: May 29

 

Mitt Romney in Colorado: Stable Craig not the picture of failure

Denver Post: May 30

 

Guest opinion: Despite criticism, ballot bill good for democracy in Colorado

Boulder Daily Camera: May 30

 

The face of Colorado's legislature may change dramatically in November

Denver Post: June 1

 

Pot Initiative Key to Presidential Election in Colorado

NewsMax: June 2

 

Colorado's first-ever June primary creates little statewide excitement

Denver Post: June 3

 

Energy

Guest Commentary: End the uranium industry's free ride with regulators

Denver Post: May 29

 

Longmont group pushes anti-fracking ballot issue

Boulder Daily Camera: May 30

 

Guest Commentary: Sleight of hand in Erie environmental petition

Denver Post: June 1

 

General Business

From 'boots to suits,' transitioning from military service to civilian life

PBS: May 29

 

Broadmoor tops magazine's list of 'platinum hotels'

Denver Business Journal: May 29

 

Downtown Denver Partnership presents awards

Denver Business Journal: May 31

 

Wells Fargo wants to buy insurance-sales businesses

Denver Business Journal: June 1

 

Anadarko hits oil on old Lowry bombing range in Denver area

Denver Post: June 1

 

Health Care

Wil: Obamacare and the liberal squeeze of the Supreme Court

Denver Post: May 29

 

Guest Column: Colorado is a leader in health care

Valley Courier: May 30

 

GOP says Hick opposes health mandates, but his office says otherwise

Denver Post: May 31

 

Labor

SEIU boss Mary Kay Henry pushes for equality, Lift for workers

Denver Post: May 29

 

Taxes

Colorado taxpayers paid for errors in Saguache County tax assessments

Denver Post: May 31

 

Colorado tax scofflaw Douglas Bruce out of jail

Boulder Daily Camera: May 31

 

Transportation

The shrinking highway dollar

Our Colorado News: June 3

 

Water

Recession, last drought help water conservation gain Colorado foothold

Denver Post: May 30

 

In This Issue
The Week in Review - Update from President and CEO Tamra Ward

Members in the News

Upcoming Events

News Clips

Cory Gardner 

A very special thank you to U.S. Representative Cory Gardner (CO-4), who joined us at today's All Member Meeting. We appreciated his insights on the importance of the business community playing a strong role in state candidate elections.