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Colorado Concern
In This Issue

Join us April 7 for our monthly Membership Networking Lunch co-hosted by Blair Richardson and David McReynolds and featuring Fiona Arnold, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

 Click here 

for details and to register.

Colorado Concern Board of Directors

Blair Richardson

(Chairman)

Tamra Ward

(President and CEO)

Steve Farber

Tim Gill

Pat Hamill

A. Barry Hirschfeld 

Bill Hybl

John Ikard

Walter Isenberg

David McReynolds

Larry A. Mizel 

Chip Rimer

Dan Ritchie 

Rick Sapkin

Sylvia Young 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Tamra Ward

Many of us agree that the Colorado Constitution has become an easy target for special interests.  It seems that every two years some group attempts to write its agenda into our state's founding document.  At the same time, we also value our state's long-standing right to petition state and local governments.  It's a founding principle in Colorado, and one that voters cherish and want to preserve.

 

This duel has led us, over the years, to work on proposals focused on strengthening the system around initiatives and referendums and, specifically, protecting our Constitution.  

 

This week, a bipartisan team of Senators Ellen Roberts (Republican) and Pat Steadman (Democrat) will introduce a Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) that would establish a two-tier, two-year process for approval of constitutional amendments.  Colorado Concern believes this measure affirms the importance of our Constitution by raising the bar required to amend our state's most important governing document.

 

If the Colorado General Assembly passes the SCR and refers the measure to voters for November 2016, it would establish the following three steps to successfully amend the Constitution.

  1. Constitutional measures would be placed on an even-year General Election ballot after title setting and signature requirements are met.  This vote would authorize the measure for further review and a final vote at the following odd-year election. 
  2. If authorized by voters, the Legislative Council would conduct at least one public hearing in each Congressional District on the policy, fiscal and administrative impacts of the proposed amendment.
  3.  Lastly, a vote on the next General Election ballot in the odd year would be held for final approval by Colorado voters.

This measure would not change the process to repeal Constitutional amendments approved by voters before 2015, or how voters petition a statutory change to Colorado law by citizen initiative.  It also would not change existing initiative steps, including Title Board, single-subject requirements or signature-collection rules.  It focuses solely on our Constitution.   A detailed fact sheet is available here.

 

Colorado Concern is partnering with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce on this important effort.  We hope you will join us in urging lawmakers to support this important proposal, and we'll ask you to do so as the measure moves through the process.

 

If you have any questions about this issue or any other legislative proposal, 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.

 

Tuesday, April 7: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch Co-Hosted by David McReynolds and Blair Richardson, featuring guest speaker Fiona Arnold, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400

 

Thursday, May 14: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch and State Legislative Session Wrap-Up Co-Hosted by Barry Hirschfeld and John Ikard

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400
Colorado Concern News Clips

Budget

Hickenlooper economic initiatives draw scrutiny in state budget bill

The Denver Post: April 1

 

Colorado Budget Clears First Hurdle Of The Split Legislature

KUNC: April 2

 

Just $10 million remains for Colorado's unpassed bills in this year's budget

Denver Business Journal: March 30

 

Development

Report: Metro Denver builders not keeping pace with new residents, costs will continue to rise

Denver Post: March 30

 

Questions planned, but no audit, on Colorado tourism program's Gaylord subsidies

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Economy/Economic Development

Despite upbeat Colorado jobs report, CU analyst sees signs of energy-slump impact

Denver Business Journal: March 30

 

Metro Denver tops nation for 1-year home price growth

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Education

Colorado testing reduction compromise, Senate Bill 215, floundering

The Denver Post: March 30

 

Guest Commentary: Reject legislation to opt out on testing

Denver Post: March 30

 

Colorado State University offers country's first online ski area management certificate

Summit Daily News: March 30

 

Guest Commentary: Health care spending hurts Colorado school funding

The Denver Post: April 4

 

Elections/Politics

Colorado Springs organizations hit the streets to encourage voters to cast ballots

Colorado Springs Gazette: March 31

 

Regulatory Reform Act dies in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Denver City Council District 5: Neighborhoods struggle with traffic

Denver Post: March 31

 

Klingenschmitt loses committee post, suspends ministry for six weeks

Denver Post: March 31

 

Business fiscal impact measure dies in Colorado Legislature for 5th year in a row

Denver Business Journal: April 1

 

Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt: The Colorado saga continues

The Denver Post: April 1

 

Ballot problems popping up as city election gets closer

KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News: April 2

 

Colorado Springs election judge: 'Get your butts out here and vote'

Colorado Springs Gazette: April 4

 

Energy

Editorial: Time to de-Bruce Colorado severance taxes?

Denver Post: March 30

 

Cities add most solar installations

Denver Post: March 31

 

Tumbling oil prices knock Weld County down, but not out

CPR: March 31

 

Niobrara oil depends on railroads to get to market, say feds

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

General Business

Colorado Legislature votes to expand crowdfunding

Daily Journal: March 30

 

While you were sleeping, Colorado's dot-com generation comes of age

Denver Post: March 30

 

West Slope lawmakers talk TABOR, water at Club 20

The Colorado Statesman: April 3

 

Business-backed minority-contracting study bill squeaks out of committee at Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 1

 

Health Care

Hickenlooper says he's still pushing fix at Capitol for state's low vaccination rates

The Colorado Independent: April 1

 

Labor/Employment

Colorado minimum-wage ballot bill dies, local control advances

The Denver Post: March 31

 

Colorado minimum-wage vote bill dies for lack of two-thirds support

The Denver Post: March 31

 

Colorado Springs Gazette: Employee Rights Act is long overdue

NewsOK: March 31

 

Denver slips among best cities for job seekers, but still ranks high

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Colorado 12th for small-business hiring

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Minimum wage should remain same across Colorado

The Denver Post: April 1

 

CO protestors to McDonald's: PR stunt raise not good enough

The Colorado Independent: April 4

 

Guest Commentary: Research is plentiful on minimum wage's harm

The Denver Post: April 5

 

Marijuana

Colorado Lawmakers Scramble to Keep Millions in Marijuana Taxes

New York Times: April 1

 

Taxes

Northern Colorado explores scientific and cultural facilities district tax

Loveland Reporter-Herald: April 3

 

Transportation

Courting vehicle-averse millennials, suburbs rethink their transit designs

Herald Recorder: March 30

 

Privatize I-70 work? With gas tax revenues flat, CDOT says it's a logical move

CPR: March 30

 

Colorado flood-damaged road repairs now estimated at $590 million

Denver Post: March 30

 

Colorado taxpayers came out on top in U.S. 36 public-private partnership, audit finds

Denver Business Journal: March 31

 

Water

Opinion: Colorado's Water Plan close, but not there yet

Denver Post: March 30