Colorado Concern 

June 9, 2014

 The Week in Review 
 

Last Friday was the statutory deadline - known as the 30-day clock - for the Governor to sign, veto or allow legislation passed in the most recent session of the Colorado General Assembly to become law without his signature.

 

Two bills Colorado Concern and others in the business community asked the Governor to veto,

(read letter here) SB14-197 - Concerning High-Performance Transportation Enterprise Transparency, and HB14-1375 - Modifications to the Provisions Governing Urban Redevelopment did indeed meet the fate of the veto pen.  The Governor's rationale for both actions are noted in his veto messages, available through these links: SB 14-197 and HB14-1375. We thank him for his actions.

 

The Governor allowed one bill, HB14-1371 - Concerning Property Taxation of Oil and Gas Leaseholds and Lands, and, in connection therewith, Specifying that the Wellhead is the Point of Valuation and Taxation for such Leaseholds and Land - to become law without his signature.  His formal message to the General Assembly noted concern from stakeholders, and some legislators who supported the bill and were now questioning their vote, regarding the change in tax policy the measure prescribes.  That letter is available here.

 

Also on the legislative front, conversations regarding a Special Session of the General Assembly to consider statutory changes that could lead the proponents of local control measures headed for the November statewide ballot to withdraw their proposals continue.   A draft of legislation dealing with increased local government control options has been shared with directly impacted stakeholders (energy industry, mineral rights holders, agricultural interests and the development community), and the Governor's Office is gathering feedback.  A decision regarding calling lawmakers back to debate the issue is in the hands of the Governor, and we expect a decision on the matter in the near future.

 

If you have questions regarding the legislative proposal, its content, or the status of Coloradans for Responsible Reform (CFRR), the issue committee Colorado Concern and others are working with to ensure we defeat any attempts to ban the energy industry should this battle proceed to November, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

 

Warmly,

Tamra  

Tamra

Colorado Concern Upcoming Events

 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events. 

Click here for more information or to register to attend events.
 
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
Two spots have recently opened up for this event.  Click on the link above to register if you would like to attend. 
 
June 30: Membership Luncheon with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., The Brown Palace, 321 17th Street
 
July 28: Membership Networking Breakfast Hosted by Dan Ritchie 
7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400
Members in the News
 

McInnes appointed Tri-State executive vice president and general manager

Powering the West: June 5
Features Mike McInnes

 

Rob Katz

Vail earnings up 19% on rising visitation, Colorado resort spending

Denver Post: June 6

Features Rob Katz

 

Tami Door  

Large Denver group, including mayor, to visit Seattle for urban study

Denver Post: June 6

Features Tami Door

 

Kelly Brough  

Guest Post: Setting the Right Educational Standards for Colorado

US Chamber: June 6

Features Kelly Brough

 

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

 

Click here to find out what legislation Colorado Concern tracked during the 2014 state legislative session. The report includes links to bill text, sponsors, Colorado Concern's positions, bill status, and additional notes.

 

Click here to download the final Colorado Concern At a Glance Status Sheet for quick tracking of Colorado Concern's bills of interest, including which bills Governor John Hickenlooper signed and vetoed.

Colorado Concern News Clips

 

 

Development/Real Estate

CoreLogic report shows record-high Colorado home sale prices

Denver Business Journal: June 4

 

Economist: Colorado foreclosure filings about as low as they can go

Denver Post: June 5

 

Economy/Economic Development

Steamboat's PowerICE moving production to Colorado, creating 100 jobs

Denver Post: June 3

 

Ardent Mills CEO on why flour giant picked Denver for HQ

Denver Business Journal: June 4

 

Lawrence Summers (briefly) shares economic views during Denver visit

Denver Business Journal: June 4

 

Flood-soaked Colorado tourist towns to share $500K for promotion

Denver Post: June 4

 

Consumer spending edges up in Colorado region; businesses optimistic about summer

Denver Business Journal: June 5

 

Large sales consulting company sets up headquarters in Jeffco

Denver Business Journal: June 5

 

Vail Daily column: Bill would help ensure success of TIF districts

Vail Daily News: June 5

 

CU-Boulder launching startup accelerator for student entrepreneurs

Denver Business Journal: June 6

 

Education

Carroll: Colorado's next school funding lawsuit

The Denver Post: June 1

 

Chalkbeat: Plaintiffs claim Dougco voucher program thwarts constitution

Denver Business Journal: June 2

 

Denver's English-language learners make strong gains in mastery tests

CPR: June 2

 

When regular high school fails, some Colorado students turn to career and technical schools

CPR: June 5

 

Chalkbeat: Jeffco board says no to proposed agreement with teachers union

Chalkbeat: June 6

 

 

The Denver Post: June 8

 

Elections/Politics

Hickenlooper signs wage-theft bill, advanced-industry credits

Denver Business Journal: June 2

 

Judicial Reform Measure on Oversight Survives Challenge

Watchdog Wire: June 3

 

Senator asks Pinnacol Assurance not to raise premiums next year

Denver Business Journal: June 3

 

Hillary Clinton barnstorms Colorado but isn't running - yet

Denver Post: June 3

 

Report: 'Weak GOP Field' Gives Boost To Colorado's Gov. Hickenlooper

Daily Caller: June 4

 

Barbara Kirkmeyer hopes to bring rural sensibilities to Congress

The Denver Post: June 5

 

On the digital stump: Bob Beauprez

The Colorado Independent: June 5

 

Denver leaders reflect on contributions to community

9News: June 6

 

Colorado election officials deny Citizens United film petition

CPR: June 6

 

Mike Coffman is no friend to immigrants

The Denver Post: June 6

 

Hickenlooper signs Uber-Lyft regulations, business personal property tax break

Denver Business Journal: June 8

 

2 Jeffco GOP primary battles could dictate control of Colorado Senate

Denver Post: June 8

 

Energy

Udall hopes for legislative answer to local-control drilling question

The Colorado Independent: May 31

 

Editorial: Why Initiative 75 is a bad idea for Colorado

Denver Post: June 2

 

Neighbors fret over scant science on oil, gas drilling health impacts

Denver Post: June 2

 

EPA plan would cut power plant carbon dioxide by one third

Denver Post: June 2

 

Obama carbon rule gives states more time to comply

Denver Post: June 2

 

Colorado high-court tests lift curtain on oil, gas initiatives' impact

Denver Post: June 2

 

 

HydroWorld: June 2

 

Opponents of proposed fracking ban to rally in Loveland; Vote scheduled for June 24

The Republic: June 3

 

9News: Did fracking fluid cause Greeley quake?

Denver Business Journal: June 3

 

Energy Pipeline: 2014 Legislative wrap-up - oil, gas organization works on collaboration on bills

Greeley Tribune: June 3

 

Colorado ready for EPA rule to cut carbon dioxide pollution

Denver Post: June 3

 

Oil and gas companies have jobs to fill, and some are poaching from competitors

Denver Business Journal: June 4

 

Meeting renewable energy targets turns out to be inexpensive, according to NREL study

Denver Post: June 4

 

Political consultants lining up in Colorado oil and gas ballot battle

The Denver Post: June 4

 

Been There, Done That: New EPA Rule Is No Big Deal In Colorado

ThinkProgress: June 5

 

Denver's Escalera Resources plans $1.8 billion gas-to-liquids plant

Denver Post: June 5

 

Colorado looks away from coal toward renewable energy sources

CPR: June 5

 

Coal mine rules changes to go into effect this summer, draw criticism

Denver Post: June 6

 

Local control compromise bill splits Colorado oil and gas industry

The Denver Post: June 7

 

General Business

Opening date set for Denver satellite patent office

Denver Business Journal: June 2

 

6� lessons the Twin Cities can learn from Denver

Minnesota Post: June 5

 

Health Care

Denver Health buys land in southwest Denver for new clinic

Denver Post: June 3

 

Labor/Employment

Colorado in the forefront in transforming the workplace

Denver Post: June 3

 

Colorado small-business hiring: May sees biggest gains of the year

Denver Business Journal: June 3

 

Colorado sees more online job ads, halting downward trend

Denver Business Journal: June 4

 

US employers add 217K jobs; rate stays at 6.3 pct

Denver Post: June 6

 

Marijuana

Marijuana not keeping companies away from Colo., Hickenlooper says

CPR: June 2

 

Colorado attorney general backs firing of medical-marijuana patient

Denver Post: June 5

 

Editorial: Employee pot use is not protected

Denver Post: June 6

 

Local control compromise bill splits Colorado oil and gas industry

The Denver Post: June 7

 

Transportation

Denver gas prices remain steady, well below $3.64 national average

Denver Post: June 2

 

Study: Bus service top RTD priority in Northwest; rail line down road

Denver Post: June 3

 

Denver International Airport sets April record for passenger traffic

Denver Post: June 4

 

Hickenlooper vetoes bill intended to create transparency in road deals

Denver Post: June 5

 

Uber, Lyft Become Regulated in Colorado

ABC News: June 6

 

Water

Will ballot box hold water?

Valley Courier: June 4

 

Hickenlooper kills water measure, his second veto this week

Denver Post: June 6

In This Issue
The Week in Review

Upcoming Events

Members in the News

Legislative Tracking

News Clips

Mayor Michael B. Hancock
Colorado Concern is hosting Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock for a complimentary luncheon June 30 at the Brown Palace.
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 

Bill Hybl

John Ikard

Walter Isenberg

David McReynolds

Larry A. Mizel 

Blair Richardson

Dan Ritchie 

Rick Sapkin
Sylvia Young