Colorado Concern 
 

March 31, 2014

The Week in Review

The deadline to file proposed measures for placement on the statewide ballot for consideration by Colorado voters has passed.  A total of 88 measures were filed for consideration in 2014, the majority of which were constitutional in approach.  They range in topics from increasing or limiting gaming operations, gun control, removing the ability of the Governor to  provide clemency in a death penalty case, broadening recall elections to include all levels of government - elected and appointed - and modifications in the political party election process to animal safety.  The process to place a measure on the ballot has multiple steps, and the majority of these proposals will not find themselves under voter consideration in November.  That said, several of them will survive, and Colorado Concern will analyze each for their impact on our economy and provide you with the organization's position on the measure. 

 

In the category of what we know:  Plan for an attack on Colorado's economy via ballot measure through one of 19 proposals focused on eliminating the oil and gas industry in our state.  Some filings approach this issue through the lens of more local government control; others do so by creating larger setback requirements between drilling operations and other development, and some are a direct ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing.  This process of multiple filings is a common practice, as proponents use the system to test different language for its legal standing, as well as a tool to confuse the opposition.

 

Over the next several months the proponents  of many of these measures will begin to move their measures forward in an attempt to obtain a ballot title and begin the process of collecting the 86,105 valid Colorado voters' signatures required to place a measure before you.  Attorneys for those who oppose these proposals also will be involved through rehearing and court appeals.  A clear idea of what measure, or measures, will be before you in the fall will not be evident until early summer.

If you have questions about the Title Board process, or any of the measures filed, 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.
Colorado Concern Upcoming Events

 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events. 

Click here for more information or to register to attend events.
 
April 3: Colorado Concern Luncheon with Colorado State Treasurer Walker Stapleton
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, 410 17th Street, 20th Floor
 
April 7: Preparing for the Future Health Care Reform and Healthcare Exchange
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400
Members in the News

 

Kim Day  

Husted: DIA boss Kim Day and what she calls the best job she's ever had

Denver Business Journal: March 24

Features Kim Day

 

Kelly Brough  

Mayor Michael Hancock among several local officials on 5280 power list

Denver Post: March 26

Features Kim Day, Kelly Brough

 

Rob Katz  

Vail Resorts offers to buy Park City Mountain Resort assets days before lease lawsuit goes to trial

Denver Post: March 26

Features Rob Katz


Colorado Concern News Clips

 

Budget

Increases in flood recovery, fire prevention highlight 2014-15 budget

Denver Post: March 25

 

Economy/Economic Development

Denver home prices up 9% from 2013, says Case-Shiller report

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

9 Colorado industries had net job gain, report says

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

Opinion: Cleaning up "brownfield" sites is a win for the economy and the environment

Denver Post: March 25

 

Wallets fattening faster in Colorado than all but five other states

Denver Post: March 25

 

Economists optimistic on economy

Denver Post: March 28

 

Colorado adds 6,200 jobs; unemployment unchanged at 6.1%

Denver Business Journal: March 28

 

Education

Chalkbeat: Cheers, jeers have piled up with Boasberg at helm of DPS

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

Colorado legislators consider delaying teacher evaluation changes

CPR: March 25

 

ConocoPhillips establishing energy-water center at Colorado School of Mines

Denver Business Journal: March 26

 

Colorado colleges partner for steam turbine project

Denver Business Journal: March 26 

 

Fort Lewis College gets help from its friends for funding

The Durango Herald: March 28

 

Opinion: Jeffco school board critics must face some painful facts

Denver Post: March 28

 

Elections/Politics

Two will be on Republican primary ballot

Fort Morgan Times: March 24

 

Abel Tapia announces he will run for Colorado's 3rd Congressional District

Denver Post: March 25

 

On the Stump: Cory Gardner, GOP US Senate candidate

The Colorado Independent: March 27

 

Mark Udall named 2013 Legislator of the Year by information technology group

Denver Post: March 27

 

Backroom deals, Colorado style: it's merely politics, veterans say

Denver Post: March 27

 

GC Dems pitch county home rule idea at Assembly

Sky Hi Daily News: March 28

 

Senate OKs bill to change policy for recall elections

Grand Junction Sentinel: March 28

 

Tancredo first out of gate, turns in 15K petition signatures

The Colorado Independent: March 28

 

On the Stump: State GOP Chairman Ryan Call

The Colorado Independent: March 28

 

Democrats poised to change definition of 'election day' in Colorado

Daily Caller: March 29

 

Host of young Democrats and Republicans jumping into Colorado political races

Colorado Springs Gazette: March 29

 

House passes budget; Senate passes recall election reform and voter fraud legislation

The Colorado Independent: March 29

 

Energy

Bill pushing study of oil and gas health impacts aired in committee

Denver Post: March 24

 

Former Colorado governors join pro-fracking education group

Denver Business Journal: March 24

 

Colorado breaks nearly 60-year record for oil production

Denver Business Journal: March 24

 

University of Colorado study suggests major job loss from proposed fracking ban

Denver Business Journal: March 26

 

Worst-case scenario study: Frack ban could cost 68,000 Colorado jobs

Denver Post: March 26

 

EPA and federal engineers seek clear power to protect streams and wetlands

Denver Post: March 26

 

Opinion: Local officials in Colorado need power to set land rules over oil, gas development.

Denver Post: March 26

 

Producer Group Launches Defense of Colorado Regs Ahead of Ballot Initiatives

Natural Gas Intelligence: March 27

 

Group argues for local control in oil, gas drilling

Pueblo Chieftain: March 29

 

General Business

After a decade as CEO, John Brackney resigns from South Metro chamber

Denver Post: March 25

 

Legislature declares Colorado Aerospace Day; criticizes feds for NASA cuts

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

House passes foreclosure bills to help Colorado homeowners

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

SBA names Colorado small-business person of the year

Denver Business Journal: March 25

 

CoBank will anchor planned 11-story office tower in Greenwood Village

Denver Post: March 25

 

Legislative beer wars return -- this time over cider

Denver Business Journal: March 27

 

Hickenlooper signs three business bills into law

Denver Business Journal: March 28

 

The West is the best for self-employed women

Denver Business Journal: March 28

 

Health Care

Colorado health exchange's marketing budget draws enrollees, critics

Denver Post: March 24

 

Colorado Health Foundation urges more physical education classes

CPR: March 25

 

Colorado lawmakers give initial OK to use of experimental drugs

Denver Post: March 25

 

Senate Democrats kill measure to audit Connect for Health Colorado

Denver Business Journal: March 26

 

Colorado Health Report Card gives mediocre grades for overall wellness

Denver Business Journal: March 26

 

The Colorado Health Report Card: The "paradox" of healthy adults, not-so-healthy kids

Denver Post: March 26

 

Fate of 2 health-cost-cutting bills hangs in balance in Legislature

Denver Business Journal: March 28

 

Colorado health exchange pays outside lawyers up to $575 an hour

Denver Business Journal: March 28

 

Hickenlooper vetoes bill limiting insurance copayment requirements

Denver Business Journal: March 29

 

Labor/Employment

National Labor Relations Board rules college athletes can unionize

CPR: March 28

 

Marijuana

Parents, schools struggle with shifting teen attitudes on marijuana

CPR: March 24

 

Are recreational pot's low tax numbers worrisome? Yes

Denver Post: March 25

 

State marijuana regulators pledge stronger enforcement

Denver Post: March 25

 

Are recreational pot's low tax numbers worrisome? No

Denver Post: March 25

 

Colorado court says lawyers can advise pot clients

Sun Herald: March 25

 

Rep. Coffman urges action on pot banking bill

Denver Post: March 25

 

Legally high, legally fired for pot use

The Denver Channel: March 28

 

Tax

Opinion - A fee or a tax? Guarding TABOR against lawsuits

Denver Post: March 25

 

Telecommunications

Colorado telecom reform bills breeze through House committee

Denver Post: March 25 

 

Dish Network's Charlie Ergen said to approach DirecTV about merger

Denver Post: March 26

 

Five bills for rural telecommunications

YumaPioneer: March 27

 

Colorado's 20th century telecom policies need an update

Denver Post: March 28

 

Transportation

North Metro Rail Line breaks ground amid cheers

Denver Post: March 24

 

North I-25 Coalition takes on interstate improvements

Denver Post: March 25

 

Editorial - Tall tales on DIA runway updates?

Denver Post: March 25

 

Water

Opinion - Tipton: Allow Coloradans to keep their water rights

Denver Post: March 25

 

Opinion: Conservation funding is good business for Colorado

Denver Post: March 25

 

Leaders urge involvement in state water plan

Highlands Ranch Herald: March 26

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Legislative Tracking

Upcoming Events

Members in the News

News Clips


Colorado Concern welcomes State Treasurer Walker Stapleton for a luncheon this Thursday, April 3 at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.  
Click here for information and to register.
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Join us for a discussion about Colorado's health exchange and the Affordable Care Act as it relates to your business at a complimentary lunch April 7 at our offices.
 Click here for details and to register.
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Colorado Concern Board of Directors

 

Pat Hamill

(Chairman)

Tamra Ward

(President and CEO)

Ted Brown

Steve Farber

A. Barry Hirschfeld 

John Ikard

Walter Isenberg

David McReynolds

Larry A. Mizel 

Blair Richardson

Dan Ritchie 

Rick Sapkin
Sylvia Young