Colorado Concern 

May 5, 2014

The Week in Review

 Last week the ballot issue committee, Coloradans for Responsible Reform (CFRR)announced its intention to defeat any attempt to ban the oil and gas industry in Colorado.  Twelve proposals remain in play, with titles assigned by the state's Title Board.  This effort is spearheaded by an Executive Committee that includes former U.S. Interior Secretary and U. S. Senator  Ken Salazar, Greeley Mayor Tom Norton, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, Denver Metro Chamber President and CEO Kelly Brough and myself.      

 

To date, 64 organizations representing Colorado's vast geography and business community have signed on in support of this effort.  The entity's first Finance Committee report is due to the Secretary of State today and will be substantial, due in part to many of you who have committed resources to this important cause.  Thank you. 

 

Click here for news coverage around the CFRR announcement.

 

In addition to our role with CFRR, Colorado Concern also will continue to work hand-in-hand with Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development (CRED) and Vital for Colorado in their efforts to educate our state's citizens and our nation about the importance of energy development in our state.  With that in mind, in the coming weeks we will be sending you an electronic engagement tool you can send along to your employees that will allow them to sign up to receive updates from CRED around key energy development messages.  Ensuring those around us understand the role the industry plays in Colorado is critical - not just in November, but for the long term.  

 

As we reach the final days of the 2014 Session of the Colorado General Assembly there have been a series of discussions regarding a legislative solution that would lead to the proponents of the above-referenced ballot measures withdrawing their proposals.  Certainly, it is prudent to investigate all options to determine if a sensible middle ground that works for industry, other business and agricultural interests, property and mineral rights owners, along with those supporting the ballot proposals, exists.  If that can occur between now and midnight on May 7 remains to be seen.  It is worth mentioning that proponents of a ballot measure have until 60 days before the election to withdraw a measure, so while the end of the legislative session marks time, it  need not be the final determinant for discussions should all parties wish to continue.  


Should you have questions about this issue, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Next week we will provide you with analysis of the full session and its impact on the business community.  

 

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

 

David Siegel  

Frontier unveils ultra-low-cost fare strategy, carry-on pricing

Denver Post: April 28

Features David Siegel

 

Pete Coors  

Pete Coors brews support for Denver to host Republican National Convention

Denver Business Journal: May 2

Features Pete Coors

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

 

 

Colorado Concern in the News

Colorado coalition reactivates to battle anti-fracking initiatives

The Denver Post: April 30

 

Business-civic coalition forms to oppose Colorado fracking ballot measures

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Denver chamber, 55 other groups launch campaign against Colorado fracking initiatives

Denver Post: May 1

 

Budget

Hickenlooper signs $23B Colorado budget that boosts college, job-incentive funding

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Development/Real Estate

Condo-building incentives - but not lawsuit curbs - introduced in Senate

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Denver home prices up 9.1% in a year, says Case-Shiller report

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Construction-defects reform bill introduced but has a tough road ahead

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

New Cherry Creek zoning plan boosts commercial development and housing

Denver Post: May 1

 

Construction-defects reform bill companion dies in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Economy/Economic Development

Colorado Senate overwhelmingly backs boost to state's top economic development incentive

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Denver developers have sights set on RTD's Market Street Station

Denver Post: April 30

 

Education

Four apply to take over Kepner Middle School

Denver Post: April 28

 

Three bills passed seek to address education in Colorado

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

OPINION: Caldwell: When hysteria derails school reform

Denver Post: April 29

 

Q&A: Will too much testing sap students' creativity?

CPR: April 29

 

Chalkbeat: Colorado Senate finally reaches Success Act compromise

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Three bills passed seek to address education in Colorado

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Senate endorses rollback of social studies testing

Chalkbeat Colorado: May 3

 

Elections/Politics

Critics question pay, residency of Weld County official

Greeley Tribune: April 28

 

As Colorado legislative session comes to close, still many loose ends

Colorado Springs Gazette: April 28

 

Colorado Legal Pot Prompts Ballot Deluge From Guns to Fracking

Businessweek: April 28

 

Coloradoans: Pot is okay, but pothead politicians aren't

Washington Post: April 28

 

Coalition Launches Campaign to Establish Nonpartisan Elections in CO

IVN News: April 29

 

Colorado Pot Vote Prompts Ballot Push on Guns, Fracking

Business Week: April 29

 

Protecting Coloradans' privacy through a ballot amendment

The Denver Post: April 30

 

Legislators want to end power over county salaries

The Durango Herald: May 1

 

Colorado Legislature Approves Child Care Credit

Pagosa Daily Post: May 1

 

Ballot-access plan gets killed

The Durango Herald: May 1

 

Colorado Republicans unite behind front-runner in Senate, other races

The Denver Post: May 2

 

Colorado Dems rush to approve bills before end of legislative session

DigiNews: May 3

 

In Colorado, an effort to revive democracy

The Denver Post: May 4

 

Energy

Will Colorado be fracking for China?

Denver Post: April 28

 

Colorado Fracking Ban Push Attracting Deep Pockets From Out Of State

Daily Caller: April 29

 

Oil/gas interests and legislators discussing potential bill to give local governments more regulatory control

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Bill to study health impacts of oil and gas dies in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Why one scientist believes fracking in Colorado won't pollute your tap water

CPR: April 30

 

Battle over oil and gas regs in Colorado loops in political powers

The Denver Post: May 1

 

Lawmakers running out of time to engineer local control compromise, avoid fracking ballot measure fight

kdvr.com: May 1

 

Colorado legislature passes bill to hike fines for oil and gas spills

CPR: May 1

 

Hickenlooper backs talks on oil & gas local-control bill, but isn't sure bill will come

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Energy Industry Makes Last-Ditch Effort to Short Circuit Colorado Fracking Ballot Initiatives

De Smog Blog: May 2

 

Colorado local-control oil and gas bill aims to be flexible

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Colorado offers as much as it risks in play for global energy market

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Colorado's stunning indifference to fracking's health hazards

Salon: May 2

 

Draft compromise gives Colorado locals some control of oil and gas

The Denver Post: May 2

 

General Business

Colorado Legislature passes 5 bills on energy, tax, other business issues

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Labor/Employment

New grad jobs? You'll find them in Denver, according to new ranking

Denver Business Journal: April 28

 

Colorado looks to revamp welfare-to-work child care program

Denver Post: April 28

 

Carroll: Wrong way to boost retirement savings in Colorado

Denver Post: April 29

 

Business groups opposed to paid family leave bill in Colorado

Denver Post: April 29

 

Denver chosen as a home for new Travelers workers' comp program

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Supply and demand in the new education economy

Denver Post: April 29

 

Mountain states again lead nation for small-business job gains

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

A gain and a setback for paid-sick-leave bill

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Paid-sick-leave bill falls victim to opposition, tight legislative budget

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Health Care

Colorado To Spend $400k Figuring Out Why Health Care Is So Expensive

Daily Caller: April 29

 

Colorado startup seeks to improve health care facility efficiencies using simulation software

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Labor/Employment

Business groups opposed to paid family leave bill in Colorado

The Denver Post: April 29

 

Marijuana

Poll: Colorado buzzed about marijuana; support gay marriage 2 to 1

Denver Post: April 28

 

Colorado pot spending bill advances

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Colorado Cannabis Summit seeks to set standards for marijuana industry

Denver Business Post: April 30

 

Pot warehouse tour raises open-meetings concerns

The Durango Herald: May 1

 

Poll: Coloradans still back legalized marijuana

Yakima Herald: May 1

 

'Cannabis credit co-ops' bill aims to get Colorado pot businesses access to Fed payment system

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Colorado hemp farmers ask for nearly 1,300 acres for crops this year

Denver Post: May 2

 

Marijuana banking scheme passes first test in Colorado legislature

Reuters: May 3

 

Tax

Editorial: U.S. must reform corporate tax rate

Denver Post: May 1

 

Telecommunications

Colorado telecom reforms pass Senate

Denver Business Journal: April 28

 

Rural broadband bill passes Colo. legislature

Aspen Daily News: April 29

 

Transportation

RTD's W Line praised but also has critics

Denver Post: April 28

 

Here's a sneak peek at the Denver Union Station transit hub

Denver Post: 28

 

Denver airport project costs rise 5-10 percent, passing $700 million

Denver Post: April 29

 

Colorado passes bill legalizing UberX, Lyft

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Denver auditor blasts DIA's latest cost increase, says probe planned

Denver Post: April 30

 

CDOT takes on "deficient" bridges this construction season

Denver Post: April 30

 

Union Station stands out as Denver's ticket to the future

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Water

Water-efficient fixtures could become mandatory in Colorado

Mountain Town News: April 29

 

Even with 'historic' agreements, water still divisive issue in Colorado

Sky-Hi News: May 1

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Legislative Tracking

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