Colorado Concern 
 April 8, 2013
The Week in Review 

 

Tamra Ward

For several weeks I have been sharing with you that the day would come when the proverbial "other shoe" dropped and legislation troubling to the business community and detrimental to Colorado's business climate would be introduced. That time has come - and we are beginning to see enough "shoes" to fill a closet.  

 

Today's focus is HB13-1269, Concerning Conflicts of Interest within the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission (Foote-Jones). This proposal assumes that individuals who have current energy industry expertise are unable to check their corporate allegiance at the door and are not fit for service on the Commission. We fundamentally disagree and believe that that assertion is not only inaccurate, but also rather offensive. I

testified to that point at last week's hearing.

 

In business, and in government, individuals with expertise are sought after to bring their knowledge to the table as challenging issues are voiced, debated and resolved. It is how both the free market/private sector system and our democratic/public sector process work. Removing individuals from the Commission who have expertise and knowledge of the energy industry - simply due to their background - would be as foolish as removing a legislator from their role simply because they understand the legislative process.  

 

Five years ago, at the request of then Governor Ritter, the Colorado General Assembly took the time to recalibrate the Commission. They debated the mission and makeup of the body and, in their wisdom, created an entity that is representative of the spectrum of interested parties and industry experts. The panel is not weighted toward industry, and no cases of unethical behavior have been reported. The old adage this is a solution looking for a problem appears to apply. That said, the measure passed out of committee and is headed to the House floor for consideration.

 

If you are struggling to see the connection to your business, let me put this in broader terms. If this bill passes and is signed by the Governor we have a precedent where the state chooses to remove anyone with current expertise about an industry from a regulatory panel. Which industry is next? Banking? Health care? Workers compensation? This issue is larger than the oil and gas industry.

 

Colorado Concern will continue to work with our friends in the industry as well as with the broader business lobby to oppose this measure. Should it be necessary, we will ask Governor Hickenlooper to veto this bill based on the troubling precedent it sets.

 

Should you have questions regarding this bill, or any other, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]

 

Warmly,

Tamra

  

Tamra

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

 

Click here to find out what legislation Colorado Concern is tracking. The report includes links to bill text, sponsors, Colorado Concern's positions, bill status, and additional notes.

Click here to download the Colorado Concern At a Glance Status Sheet for quick tracking of Colorado Concern's bills of interest.
Members in the News

 

Colorado Concern Upcoming Events 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events. Click here for more information or to register to attend events.

 

Thursday, April 25: Colorado Concern Membership Lunch with Senate President John Morse hosted by John Ikard

Noon to 1:30 p.m., Colorado Concern Offices

 

Monday, May 20: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch Co-Hosted by Pat Hamill and Kay Norton

Noon to 1:30 p.m., Second Home, Cherry Creek

 Colorado Concern News Clips

 

 

Budgets/Government

Sour grapes in the Colorado legislature?

Denver Post: April 1

 

Official: Obama proposes cuts to Social Security

Denver Post: April 5

 

Colorado budget debate blows up late Thursday after Democratic amendment

Denver Post: April 5

 

Colorado House passes budget after complaints of "cheap parlor tricks"

Denver Post: April 6

 

Economic Development

Legal pot stirs debate about impact on Colorado economic development

Denver Post: April 1

 

Colorado marijuana tourism company launches after pot legalization

Denver Post: April 1

 

Calls for Colorado hunting boycott produce fear of economic losses

Denver Post: April 1

 

Denver's hot real estate market now seeing quick, 24-hour sales

Denver Post: April 1

 

Colorado new car registrations up a record 26.5% in February

Denver Business Journal: April 1

 

Historic preservation boosts Colorado's economy

Denver Business Journal: April 1

 

Colorado business conditions index reaches 1-year high

Denver Business Journal: April 2

 

Governor dubs rebranding initiative "Making Colorado"

Denver Post: April 3

 

TriZetto opens world HQ in Douglas County

Denver Business Journal: April 3

 

Southern Colorado casts eco-devo line in California

Denver Business Journal: April 3

 

Home sales in metro Denver up 46% in March

Denver Post: April 3

 

Colorado eco-devo office wants new-job tax incentive extended

Denver Business Journal: April 4

 

Service companies grow more slowly, and employers pull back on hiring

Denver Post: April 4

 

Colorado proposal could help draw back plane-maintenance jobs

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Showdown looms over money for Colorado movie-incentive program

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Denver office market vacancies drop below 14 percent

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Education

Carroll: A billion-dollar bet for Colorado schools?

Denver Post: April 1

 

Colorado budget overhaul clears hurdle

Denver Post: April 2

 

EdNews Colorado: Seawell won't seek re-election

Denver Business Journal: April 2

 

Denver City Council gives green light to land swap for school

Denver Post: April 2

 

Elections/Ballot

Judge overturns Colorado law dealing with paid ballot circulators

Denver Post: April 2

 

Carroll: The hope for school choice in Douglas County

Denver Post: April 3                 

 

Gun-related recall efforts in Colorado carry risks

Denver Post: April 5

 

Gessler slams election bills; blasts Dems

The Colorado Statesman: April 5

 

Energy

Fines, spill reporting bills move through Legislature

Glenwood Springs Post Independent: April 1

 

Return to your local roots, Gov. Hickenlooper

Denver Post: April 1

 

Hickenlooper defends Colorado drilling regulations during debate

Denver Post: April 2

 

Colorado's renewable energy rules may rise for rural coops

Denver Business Journal: April 4

 

Xcel relaxes water rights to Colorado river to help during drought

Denver Post: April 4

 

Wyoming's renewable wind power could benefit Colorado

Denver Business Journal: April 4

 

Feds assess oil-and-gas prospects under Pawnee National Grasslands

Denver Post: April 5

 

Legislative storm on the horizon

Craig Daily Press: April 6

 

Oil and gas bills have Colorado legislature pitted against Hickenlooper

Longmont Reporter-Herald: April 7

 

General Business

HiViz intends to follow Magpul's example, leave Colorado

Denver Business Journal: April 3

 

Colorado gets top grades for small-business friendliness

Denver Business Journal: April 3

 

Stoned driving bill gets initial OK in Colorado House

Denver Post: April 3

 

Small business lending in federal program grows in Colorado

Denver Post: April 4

 

Colorado marijuana regulation needs more money, state officials says

Denver Post: April 5

 

Legal marijuana a conundrum for Colorado condominium complexes

Denver Post: April 5

 

Majority of Americans support marijuana legalization, new poll finds

Denver Post: April 5

 

Arrow Electronics make play for greater recognition

Denver Post: April 5

 

Health Care

Group pushes for vote on single-payer health care in Colorado

Denver Post: April 1

 

Administration to delay part of small-business health plans

Denver Post: April 2

 

State-run health care passes 1st committee in Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Colorado's health care exchange has advantage over fed's

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Obama's budget will spare Medicaid from deep cuts

Denver Post: April 5

 

Immigration

Immigration deal at hand, focus turns to details

Denver Post: April 1

 

Colorado driver's license bill aimed at undocumented immigrants hits snag

Denver Post: April 2

 

Krauthammer: The trigger and the poison pill of immigration reform

Denver Post: April 5

 

Labor/Employment

Colorado unemployment down to 7.2 percent in February

Denver Post: April 1

 

Survey: Private employers added 158K job in March

Denver Post: April 3

 

Taxes

Tax cut plan aired in Colo. Senate

Denver Post: April 3

 

Bill would expand RTD's tax base

Denver Post: April 4

 

Both Colorado, feds may impose online sales taxes

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Keep tax credits that help build affordable housing

Denver Business Journal: April 5

 

Transportation

Idaho Springs girds for widening project on eastbound I-70

Denver Post: April 1

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Legislative Tracking

Members in the News

Upcoming Events

News Clips

Sen. John Morse  

Click here

for more information or to register to attend Colorado Concern's membership lunch with Senate President John Morse on April 25.