Colorado Concern 

April 28, 2014

The Week in Review

The clock is ticking; there are just 10 calendar days until the 69th Session of the Colorado General Assembly adjourns.  

 

This point in the legislative session is always hectic, with long days that continue into the evening and shortened tempers as the most challenging issues often are left to the final days of dialogue and debate.

Currently, 314 bills remain in process - and measures continue to be introduced. One hundred forty eight have been signed by the Governor, and 146 have been postponed indefinitely - a euphemistic term for died along the way.

 

Two key issues of interest to Colorado Concern remain in the mix.  First, changes to the worker's compensation system have been the focus of organized labor for several years.  You will recall that conversations around a series of options occurred during the summer and fall, and we - like others in the business community - were opposed to any modifications.  Labor scaled back its approach substantially, pulling two issues off the table and outlining a proposal that increases doctor choice for injured workers, but allows employers to control the network of physicians, which will be critical for cost containment.  Organized labor also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which is in process, that states labor will not seek legislative changes in the worker's compensation statutes for a set period of time should this measure pass the General Assembly and be signed by the Governor.  Colorado Concern is neutral on the bill, HB14-1383 Workers Compensation/Physician Choice - Williams/Tochtrop, which has passed the House and begins its journey through the Senate.

 

Second, efforts to ensure attainable multifamily housing units are built in Colorado remains stalled in the Senate President's office.  Senator Jessie Ulibarri's proposal awaits introduction.

 

Meanwhile, thank you to those of you who utilized our ENGAGE system to urge legislative leadership to move this measure forward.  For those of you who have not yet done so, click here to share your support.

 

Should you have questions or concerns about these measures, or any other 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.

 

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

 


Richard Scharf  

Downtown Denver hotels had a March to remember

Denver Business Journal: April 23

Features Richard Scharf

 

Pat Hamill  

Denver-based Oakwood expanding in Utah with $75M deal for Henry Walker

The Denver Post: April 24

Features Pat Hamill


Colorado Concern Upcoming Events

 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events. 

Click here for more information or to register to attend events.
 
May 22: Membership Networking Breakfast Hosted by John Ikard and Featuring Ken Lund
7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400
 
June 18: Membership Networking Lunch Hosted by Steve Farber
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400

Colorado Concern News Clips

 

 

Development/Real Estate

Condo construction-defects bill is close to making its debut in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 21

 

Metro Denver home buyers blooming like flowers

Denver Business Journal: April 22

 

Colorado HOAs vow strong defense of construction-defects law

Denver Post: April 23

 

Home values at or near high in 29 metro communities; rents zoom too

Denver Post: April 23

 

Economy/Economic Development

Proposal to change Colorado urban-renewal process clears first hurdle

Denver Business Journal: April 24

 

Who exactly will benefit from a bill to offer brownfield redevelopment tax credits?

Denver Business Journal: April 24

 

Education

Colorado higher-ed lessens plan to tie performance to state funding

Denver Post: April 22

 

Programs vying to take over Kepner Middle School in West Denver

Denver Post: April 23

 

U.S. News & World report ranks top high schools in Colorado

Denver Post: April 23

 

Opinion: A step backward on school transparency

Denver Post: April 23

 

Groups protest student loan practices; Says US has $1 trillion in student debt

KDVR: April 25

 

K-12 school funding bill remains in limbo

The Colorado Statesman: April 26

 

Elections/Politics

Lawmakers to again consider raising threshold for ballot measures

Grand Junction Sentinel: April 21

 

Tighter rules for constitutional ballot questions moves forward

9NEWS: April 22

 

Proposed ballot initiatives could affect area livestock producers

Brush News-Tribune: April 23

 

Legislature puts $30 million towards college scholarships in bipartisan move

The Colorado Independent: April 24

 

Energy

Colorado Bill to Study Drilling Health Impacts Advances

Natural Gas Intelligence: April 22

 

Colorado severance tax collection review bill headed for Senate

Denver Post: April 22

 

Colorado bill to increase oil and gas fines passes the House

Denver Business Journal: April 22

 

The Ripple Effect: What happens when fracking and water intersect in Colorado?

CPR: April 22

 

Greeley school parents' fury forces oil and gas driller to back down

Denver Post: April 22

 

Denver Post section sponsored by energy industry raising eyebrows

CPR: April 23

 

Legislators put aside gas and oil tax bill

The Durango Herald: April 24

 

Oil and gas firm Sovereign to sue Broomfield over fracking ban

Broomfield Enterprise: April 24

 

Opinion: Caldwell: Are energy taxes the answer to Colorado higher ed funding woes?

Denver Post: April 25

 

Renewable fuels, such as ethanol, put billions into Colorado economy, report says

Denver Business Journal: April 25

 

Colorado's oil and gas industry is booming. Now, about those taxes?

Denver Business Journal: April 25

 

Hickenlooper will convene group to review Colorado severance taxes

Denver Post: April 25

 

Untangling Colorado's Flood of Anti-Fracking Ballot Initiatives

De Smog Blog: April 27

 

General Business

Colorado lawmakers want to protect data from warrantless searches

CPR: April 24

 

Tax break for data-center equipment introduced in Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 26

 

CPW is changing landowner preference program

Chaffee County Times: April 26

 

Government

Colorado Futures Center video breaks down state's financial crisis

Denver Post: April 24

 

Health Care

Kaiser, other nonprofits, score majority of Colorado exchange sign-ups

Denver Business Journal: April 22

 

Aurora's VA hospital can be finished in May 2015, officials say, but contractor suggests otherwise

Denver Business Journal: April 23

 

Divisive vaccine proposal abandoned in Colorado

The Denver Post: April 23

 

Colorado health exchange oversight committee questions enrollment numbers

Denver Business Journal: April 24

 

Colorado health exchange oversight committee questions enrollment numbers

Denver Business Journal: April 25

 

Labor/Employment

Workers' comp reform bill passes first test - but without much Republican support

Denver Business Journal: April 23

 

Marijuana

Colorado budget committee OKs cautious plan for marijuana tax money

The Denver Post: April 23

 

Opinion: Carroll: Some marijuana edibles are accidents waiting to happen

Denver Post: April 22

 

Hemp expansion sails through Colorado Senate

The Denver Post: April 24

 

Colorado lawmakers plan to boost marijuana profits

Denver Post: April 25

 

Telecommunications

Comcast-Charter-TWC dealmaking could put Colorado cable in play

Denver Business Journal: April 24

 

Senior organization welcomes upgrade to tech laws

Pueblo Chieftain: April 27

 

Transportation

Road bills introduced in response to U.S. 36 controversy

Denver Post: April 22

 

Shuttle service to run between Broadmoor, DIA

Denver Business Journal: April 22

 

Airlines warn Denver airport that rising costs could force flight cuts

Denver Post: April 22

 

Lawmakers want state audit of U.S. 36 deal

Denver Post: April 23

 

DIA sees big drop in domestic fares

Denver Business Journal: April 23

 

OPINION: Going the wrong way on Colorado HOV, toll lane policies

Denver Post: April 25

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Legislative Tracking

Members in the News

Upcoming Events

News Clips

Ken Lund
Join Colorado Concern for a Membership Networking Breakfast May 22 hosted by John Ikard and  featuring Ken Lund, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Click here for details and to register.
___________
Colorado Concern Board of Directors

 

Pat Hamill

(Chairman)

Tamra Ward

(President and CEO)

Ted Brown

Steve Farber

Tim Gill

A. Barry Hirschfeld 

John Ikard

Walter Isenberg

David McReynolds

Larry A. Mizel 

Blair Richardson

Dan Ritchie 

Rick Sapkin
Sylvia Young