Colorado Concern 
 January 14, 2013
The Week in Review

 Tamra Ward

The opening gavel on the 69th Session of the Colorado General Assembly fell last week and, as is customary, the first several days were full of pomp, circumstance and speeches. This year both chambers of the Legislature - and the executive branch - are under the control of one party, in this case the Democrats. Historically, one-party control can lead to more political or partisan measures being introduced and moving through the process. In recent years the business community benefited from divided government. The checks and balances that structure provided led to a more thoughtful approach around introducing legislation, as bipartisan support was required to move a proposal through the process and to the Governor's desk for signature. Colorado Concern is optimistic that the focus of this session will be on issues that move the state forward by improving our business climate, stimulating job growth and bettering our public sector systems. That said, we will be watchful for measures that we deem harmful, and will engage to stop them whenever necessary.

  

Click here for a copy of opening day remarks from legislative leaders. 

 

 The Governor's State of the State text also is available for your review. Click here for Colorado Concern's response to these opening day comments.

 

Over the next five months, on every Monday, we will provide you with an update on what has occurred at the Capitol, as well as a status sheet of bills we are supporting, opposing or monitoring on your behalf. Should you have questions, concerns or ideas you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact me at (303) 860-1201, or tamra@coloradoconcern.comMeanwhile, please mark your calendars: Our first legislative leadership meeting will occur over breakfast on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7:30-9 a.m., at Second Home Restaurant (JW Marriott, 150 Clayton Lane, Denver), with Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino. If you have not yet registered to join us please do so here.

 

Thank you to all of you who signed up for our legislative buddy system. In the coming weeks we will be following up with you regarding next steps. If you did not sign up, but are still interested, you may do so here.

 

Happy 2013!

 

Warmly,

  Tamra

 

 Tamra

 

 

Members in the News
  

Walter Isenberg John Shaw

McWhinney joins The Union Station Re-Development Team

Denver Post: January 9

 

 Pat Hamill

Fiscal-cliff legislation needs a do-over in 2013

Denver Business Journal: January 11

Colorado Concern Upcoming Events 
  

Below is a list of upcoming Colorado Concern events. 

Click here for more details and to register to attend.

    

Tuesday, January 22: Colorado Concern Membership Breakfast with Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino

7:30 to 9 a.m., Second Home Kitchen and Bar in Cherry Creek

Colorado Concern News Clips 

 

Budgets

States' budget battle could reshape national politics

Denver Post: January 11

 

Economic Development/Economy

Bill targets Colorado startups for state grants

Denver Post: January 8

 

Slowdown expected in Denver housing market

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Ball says plan to hire hundreds depends on Congress

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Visa plans to add 400 jobs in Douglas County

Denver Post: January 9

 

Playoff games a boon for Denver; ski resorts hoping images spur visits

Denver Post: January 10

 

Education

Legislative Preview 2013

Education News Colorado: January 7

 

Denver schools, Gates foundation identify what makes effective teacher

Denver Post: January 9

 

Denver school board in flux as Nate Easley says he's stepping down

Denver Post: January 10

 

Adams 14 Education Foundation supports mentoring program for needy

Denver Post: January 10

 

Elections/Politics

Fresh faces, hot issues when Colorado legislature opens Wednesday

Denver Post: January 6

 

No Gridlock In Sight For 2013 Colorado Legislature

CBS Local: January 7

 

Entrenched interests threaten nation's economic future

Denver Post: January 7

 

5 things to know about the Colorado Legislature this week

The Republic: January 8

 

Ethics panel OKs continuing Gessler probe, mulls legal defense fund

Denver Post: January 8

 

Colorado Legislature opens for business: slideshow

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Colorado Legislature opens with business on defense

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Improving Colorado in five easy (legislative) steps

Denver Post: January 9

 

New faces ready for their debut as Colorado legislature begins session

Denver Post: January 9

 

Colorado legislature's major issues for 2013

Denver Post: January 9

 

First gay speaker of Colorado House among session's highlights

Denver Post: January 10

 

Hickenlooper touches on economic reform, education and more in State of the State address

Denver Business Journal: January 11

 

Hickenlooper's speech touches on issues from guns to civil unions

Denver Post: January 11

 

Campaign-finance amendment directive divides Colo.'s congressional delegation

Denver Business Journal: January 11

 

Colorado lawmakers using iPads to save paper

San Francisco Chronicle: January 11

 

Energy

Elbert County weighs setback, fracking rules

Denver Post: January 7

 

Middle ground on drilling distances

Denver Post: January 7

 

Boulder mulls Xcel Energy's future

Denver Post: January 7

 

Denver-area oil and gas water rule OK'd

Denver Post: January 8

 

Right direction on Colorado drilling regulations

Denver Post: January 8

 

Colorado oil and gas regulators gird for more drilling near homes

Denver Post: January 9

 

Greeley mayor objects to drilling setback plan

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Coloradans living near drilling operations recount health issues

Denver Post: January 10

 

Colorado companies see fracking practices creating new need for insurance

Denver Business Journal: January 11

 

General Business

Recreational marijuana users could get pot from vending machines, company says

NBC News: January 7

 

Colorado companies to showcase new technology at CES 2013 in Las Vegas

Denver Post: January 7

 

Promontory Financial lays off hundreds in Denver after foreclosure settlement

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Biz bills: Democrats roll out package of 5; GOP returns some from 2012

Denver Business Journal: January 11

 

Health Care

Colorado's Medicaid expansion plan must cut costs

Denver Post: January 7

 

University of Colorado Health plans north metro medical complex

Denver Post: January 8

 

Unusual respite from surging health care costs

Denver Post: January 8

 

Patrick Kennedy calls for mental health insurance reforms in Colorado

Denver Post: January 11

 

Immigration

Illegal immigrants in Colorado seize upon new visa waiver

Denver Post: January 7

 

Colorado Compact offers immigration solutions

Denver Post: January 8

 

Taxes/Fiscal Cliff

Colorado Democrats plan tax breaks despite shaky state budget

Denver Post: January 8

 

Denver chamber seeks legislative funding for schools, infrastructure

Denver Post: January 9

 

Carroll: Ducking reality on the deficit

Denver Post: January 9

 

Fiscal-cliff legislation needs a do-over in 2013

Denver Business Journal: January 11

 

Transportation

Grant funds RTD express bus from LoDo Denver to Commerce City

Denver Post: January 8

 

Lanes to narrow, speeds to slow as overhaul of U.S 36 enters 'permanent construction' phase

Denver Post: January 10

 

Colorado roads not so bad, Hickenlooper says

Denver Business Journal: January 10

 

Water

Proposed rule for water testing in Colorado limited

Denver Post: January 7

 

Water woes in the arid West

Denver Post: January 7

 

The good, the bad and the ridiculous plans to get water

Denver Post: January 7

 

Boulder County stalls Gross Reservoir water pact

Boulder Daily Camera: Denver 9

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Members in the News

Upcoming Events

Mark Ferrandino   
Click here for more details and to register for the Colorado Concern membership breakfast with Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino January 22.