Colorado Concern 
 

January 12, 2014

The Week in Review

 

The first week of the legislative session is always full of pomp and circumstance.  Legislative leaders from both bodies provide opening day remarks in an effort to establish their parties' agendas and set the tone for the 120 days to follow.  Also, the Governor takes the podium in the House chambers to provide his State of the State Address - a review of the year past and a vision of legislative priorities - to a joint session of the state's elected and appointed leaders, as well as to honored guests. 

 

Themes emerge in these remarks, and in 2014 there was an acknowledgement of the recent heartbreak and challenges brought forth through both man-made and natural disasters, but also a nod to the strength of Coloradans and their unwavering commitment to each other, and our state's future. Additionally, strengthening our business climate and ensuring job growth remains a key initiative of both parties.      

 

For a full review of our elected leaders' remarks, please click on the links below:

Governor John Hickenlooper

Senate President Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora)

Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs)

Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver)

House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R-Loveland)

 

At the end of the first week of legislative activity, 165 bills had been introduced.  Click here for a real-time list of those of interest or impact to the business community.   Should you have questions about a specific piece of legislation or policy issue, 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.

 

Colorado Concern Upcoming Events

 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events. 

Click here for more information or to register to attend events.
 
January 27: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch with Guest Speaker Colorado Senate President Morgan Carroll Co-hosted by Pat Hamill and Sylvia Young
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400. This lunch is currently full.  Please email Paige to be added to the waiting list at [email protected]

Colorado Concern News Clips  

Development

Colorado Legislature's Democrats are leery of sweeping construction-defects reform

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Denver industrial market sees 2.3M square feet under construction

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Economy/Economic Development

Denver Post: January 8

 

Colorado small-business hiring increases 

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Education

2014 legislative preview: Colorado lawmakers to face education money issues

Denver Business Journal: January 6

 

Districts roll out new Colorado teacher evaluations during first year

Denver Post: January 6

 

Denver Post: January 6

 

Tribune Opinion: Congrats to UNC program for U.S. News ranking; Hickenlooper gives legislators a lot to live up to

Greeley Tribune: January 10

 

Proposed Bill Makes Big Changes to Colorado Higher Education

KREX News Channel 5: January 11

 

The Tribune: January 12

 

Elections/Politics

2014 Colorado legislature preview: Education, economy among top agenda items

Colorado Springs Gazette: January 6

 

House GOP looks to tweak a few issues from last year

The Colorado Statesman: January 6

 

Election year sets up legislature fights in Colorado politics

Aurora Sentinel: January 6

 

Colorado legislature opens Wednesday with a floods-and- firearms theme

Denver Post: January 6

 

Denver Post: January 6

 

Denver Post: January 6

 

Surging Colorado economy inspires legislative plans for tax cuts, education spending

The Republic: January 7

 

GOP rising star Navarro-Ratzlaff knows about voter access and election integrity

The Colorado Independent: January 7

 

A tame session ahead at the Colorado legislature? We hope.

Denver Post: January 8

 

Rep. Brian DelGrosso speaks about Colorado's upcoming legislative session

Denver Post: January 8

 

Denver Post: January 8

 

Colorado's 2014 session opens with talk of unity, help for flood victims

Denver Post: January 8

 

Littwin: Colorado's coming unpredictable pre-election post-recall legislative session

The Colorado Independent: January 8

 

Caldara: Colorado's terrible election law has real-world consequences

Greeley Tribune: January 9

 

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

Floods and fires dominate on Colorado legislature's opening day

Denver Post: January 9

 

Opening-day Colorado legislative speeches are light on policy

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

75 uncounted ballots turn up in Broomfield fracking election

The Denver Channel: January 10

 

Carroll: Hickenlooper tacks back to center

Denver Post: January 10

 

A take on opening day at the Colorado legislature

Denver Post: January 10

 

Still happy times at the Colorado legislature

Denver Post: January 10

 

Hickenlooper hopes for a less bruising legislative session

Daily Caller: January 10

 

Colorado Legislature's 1st-day bills seek to promote advanced industries, kill new logo

Denver Business Journal: January 10

 

Hickenlooper emphasizes unity, a few business issues in State of the State speech

Denver Business Journal: January 10

 

Gov. Hickenlooper's State of the State: "Colorado does not shut down"

Denver Post: January 10

 

Caldara: New voting rights in Colorado

Denver Post: January 12

 

El Paso County DA charges man who gathered recall signatures with forgery

Colorado Springs Gazette: January 11

 

Energy

Q&A: The future of U.S. energy independence

Denver Post: January 6

 

Pressure mounting in opposition to Hickenlooper Utility Commission appointment

The Colorado Independent: January 8

 

Denver Post: January 8

 

Critics take aim at Colorado proposal to cut pollution by oil and gas industry

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Denver Post: January 8

 

Boulder notifies Xcel Energy of plan to buy some of its system

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Floods

Bipartisan effort to meet flood needs

Longmont Daily Times-Call: January 11

 

General Business

Denver Post: January 8

 

Webb: Internet gambling will kill jobs in Colorado

Denver Post: January 10

 

Health Care

Colorado official felt pressure from Udall office on Obamacare tally

Denver Post: January 9

 

Immigration

Lack of immigration reform means worker shortage for Colorado builders

Denver Post: January 9

 

Labor/Employment

Denver considered a top city for job seekers

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Democrats willing to give for GOP votes

Denver Post: January 8

 

Denver Post: January 9

 

Marijuana

State banks pot money that industry is unable to do itself

Denver Post: January 6

 

High Times launches private equity fund for marijuana investment

Denver Post: January 6

 

Colorado tourism chief: Pot's impact has been 'a wash'

Denver Business Journal: January 8

 

Denver Post: January 8

 

Pot prices double as Colorado retailers roll out green carpet

The Morning Journal: January 9

 

Denver Post: January 9

 

National Western Stock Show

Cover story: Reinventing the National Western

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

More on the cover story: National Western Stock Show is a source of traditions, memories

Denver Business Journal: January 9

 

 

Denver Post: January 11

 

Telecommunications

Lawmakers aim to shift $50 million phone subsidy toward broadband

Denver Post: January 6

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Upcoming Events

News Clips

Colorado Concern Board of Directors

 

Pat Hamill

(Chairman)

Kay Norton (Treasurer)

Tamra Ward

(President and CEO)

Joe Blake

Dr. Ted Clarke

Steve Farber

A. Barry Hirschfeld 

Bill Hybl

Walter Isenberg

Don Kortz

David McReynolds

Larry A. Mizel 

Kate Paul

Blair Richardson

Dan Ritchie 

Dick Robinson
Rick Sapkin
Sylvia Young