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Colorado Concern
In This Issue

Colorado State Capitol
Join us May14 for our state legislative session wrap-up Membership Networking Lunch 
co-hosted by Barry Hirschfeld and John Ikard.

 

 Click here for details and to register.

____________________________

Norm Franke, Regional President of Alpine Bank, invites you to attend Alpine Bank's VIP Open House and Cocktail Reception

Wednesday, May 15 - 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Alpine Bank Cherry Creek, 215 St. Paul Street

RSVP to Tiffany LaCome at 

970-625-6659 or  cherrycreekrsvp@alpinebank.com

___________________________

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

Whoever coined the phrase, "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades," likely spent time in the political arena.  


 
Last Monday night, SB15-177 - the measure focused on addressing the defect in state statute, which is impacting the building of moderately priced for-sale multifamily housing, was defeated in the House State and Veterans Affairs Committee with a party line vote.  The defeat followed countless hours of work and negotiation; building a strong, diverse coalition of affordable housing providers, regional mayors, economic development, industry and business associations; and launching a targeted media and advocacy program.  Five Republicans voted in favor of the measure; all six Democrats opposed the bill.

 

While this outcome was always a possibility - politics being what they are - there was a belief that partisanship could be set aside when a coalition as large and as diverse as the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance (see a list of the coalition members) came together in support of a legislative solution.  Sadly, that was not the case.

 

Below is a statement from the Coalition following SB15-177's demise:

 

On behalf of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance and its members, we would like to thank Senators Scheffel and Ulibarri and Representatives DelGrosso and Singer for sponsoring this important piece of legislation.  We would also like to thank Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and more than 30 metro and statewide mayors for representing their communities on this issue.

 

Senate Bill 177 was a thoughtful approach to address Colorado's lack of attainable housing, especially owner-occupied condos.  This bill represented an important first step toward a broader solution to address affordable housing across Colorado.  That is why bipartisan lawmakers, mayors, elected local officials, affordable housing advocates, and business and trade groups joined to form one the largest coalitions in recent memory to encourage the development of attainable housing, transit-orient projects and smart community planning.

 

 Throughout this effort, we were clear that Colorado needed a more efficient statewide system for handling construction defects issues.  The Homeownership Opportunity Alliance will continue to search for a unified state process while vigorously pursuing local solutions to this housing crisis.

SB177's demise represents a missed opportunity for many Coloradans-including would-be first-time homebuyers and seniors-who want an opportunity to own an affordably priced home.  The House of Representative's inaction will further delay the dream of homeownership for countless residents of our state.

 

Additionally, both The Denver Post and the Colorado Spring Gazette have weighed in with their disappointment around the bill's defeat.  Where do we go from here?   That discussion and debate will continue, and Colorado Concern will be an active participant in defining our next steps.  We do know several municipalities have taken this issue into their own hands by passing ordinances that will allow multifamily development to proceed, and others are planning to do so.  While workable, it creates a patchwork of regulations for what truly is an issue of statewide concern.  Additionally, the District Court is reviewing a case that could settle this issue in a manner that is consistent with the ideals of SB 177.  That decision is several years out, but should the political winds at the Capitol not change, local actions and awaiting the court's ruling may be the best approach.  

 

Should you have questions about this measure, or any other proposal under consideration at the Capitol, please don't hesitate to contact me at tamra@coloradoconcern.com.

 

Warmly,

Tamra

Tamra

FOUR SEATS AVAILABLE FOR VITAL FOR COLORADO BREAKFAST
Colorado Concern is a sponsor of the upcoming Vital for Colorado breakfast titled "In It Together - Colorado Energy" and has a table at the event.  It features conversations with Governor Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner about Colorado's energy future.  It is taking place May 27 from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver.   There are four seats left at our table.  If you would like to attend, please email Paige Oswald at paige@coloradoconcern.com. For more information, click here to view the event's invitation.
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.

 

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

 

Tuesday, June 2: Colorado Concern Luncheon with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Brown Palace Onyx Room, 321 17th Street, Denver

 

Tuesday, June 23: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Breakfast Co-Hosted by Steve Farber and Sylvia Young

7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East 19th Avenue, Suite 400

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

 

 

Top 25 Women in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare

Modern Healthcare: April 27

Features Donna Lynne


 


 


 


 

 

 

Kelly Brough

Denver Post: April 27

Features Kelly Brough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exclusive: Frontier Airlines CEO on flight from 'verge of extinction' to profitability; push to cut complaints

Denver Business Journal: April 30

Features David Siegel

 

Colorado Concern News Clips

Budget

Hickenlooper signs budget, urges action on his transportation-funding plan
Denver Business Journal: April 27  

Development/Real Estate

Campaign cash flows to Colorado lawmakers who will decide construction-defects bill's fate

Denver Business Journal: April 27

 

Housing markets across Colorado vary widely, but improving

Denver Post: April 27

 

Construction lawsuit change defeated in Colorado House

The Coloradoan: April 28

 

Metro Denver again sees fastest-growing home prices of big U.S. cities

Denver Business Journal: April 28

 

Bill that could slow Gaylord Rockies project is introduced in Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 28

 

Colorado lawmakers spurn the condo market

Denver Post: April 29

 

Denver could be the next city to push for local construction-defects reform

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Longmont council hopes strong opposition will halt urban renewal bill

Longmont Times-Call: April 29

 

Nonprofit purchases 6 acres near National Western Complex for development

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Metro Denver homeowners should brace for tax increases, assessors warn

Denver Post: April 30

 

Colorado legislature: Bill targets use of farmland in urban renewal

The Denver Post: April 30

 

Legislature Considers Seizing Public Lands

Public News Service: April 30

 

Aurora's unseemly process for Gaylord Rockies

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Colorado Senate set to vote on controversial bill that could stymie Aurora hotel project

Colorado Springs Gazette: May 1

 

Metro Denver TOD affordable housing generated $598 million in 5 years, study finds

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Guest Commentary: Homeowners deserve (and pay for) rights

The Denver Post: May 3

 

Education

Feds reject Colorado request to give districts a break on opt-outs

Denver Post: April 27

 

Colorado Education Commissioner Robert Hammond announces retirement

Denver Post: April 27

 

Guest Column: Education goal should be less testing, better accountability

Colorado Springs Gazette: April 29

 

Izard & DeGrow: In Colorado's student testing debate, stand firm on important teacher tenure and ...

Greeley Tribune: April 30

 

House, Senate suddenly at odds on school finance; Indian mascots bill killed

Chalkbeat: April 30

 

Officials: High Participation Across Colorado For New Tests

KKTV 11 News: May 3

 

Editorial: A partisan attack on Denver schools

Denver Post: May 1

 

MSU Denver sales program gets special nod from Sales Education Foundation

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Elections/Politics/Government

A welcome move toward presidential primaries in Colorado

The Denver Post: April 27

 

As legislature nears end, Hickenlooper travels coast-to-coast this week

The Denver Post: April 27

 

Legislators reach out to 'rural Colorado' after landslide to the right

Denver Post: April 27

 

Lawmaker Pay Comes Up As Colo. Legislature's Close Draws Near

KUNC: April 28

 

Denver official indicted, accused of taking bribe to help get DIA contract

Denver business Journal: April 28

 

Legislative roundup: Buckner's sick leave trims Democrat majority in Colorado House

Colorado Springs Gazette: April 29

 

Broadmoor pulls back, Utilities loses court case, runoff ballots get mailed, more

Colorado Springs Independent: April 29

 

Guest Commentary: Half the information doesn't help voters

The Denver Post: April 29

 

A Truce in the War Between Cities and Their Suburbs

National Journal: April 30

 

Colorado Lawmakers Looking For A Pay Bump With New Bill

Aspen Public Radio: May 1

 

Moderate Democrats team with Colorado House Republicans to kill business-opposed bills

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Dennis Gallagher comes full circle

The Denver Post: May 2

 

Colorado's divided session leaves a legislative graveyard of bills

The Denver Post: May 3

 

Energy

Freaking out over fracking

Washington Examiner: April 27

 

Colorado lawmakers take up delayed bill to save utility consumer advocate

Utility Dive: April 27

 

Colorado oil and gas task force recommendations are part of state budget

Denver Business Journal: April 27

 

Colorado AG says feds went too far with new fracking regs

Denver Business Journal: April 27

 

Guest Commentary: Leave air quality debate open, inclusive

Denver Post: April 28

 

Bad air: Denver, western cities rise up list of nation's most-polluted

Denver Post: April 30

 

Xcel set to return $66.5 million in excess profits to customers

Denver Post: May 1

 

General Business

Boehner: Killing export-import bank risks thousands of jobs

Denver Post: May 1

 

Health Care

Colorado health insurance exchange taps Kevin Patterson as interim CEO

Denver Post: April 28

 

VA mess in Aurora likely to affect other projects nationwide

Denver Post: April 29

 

Colorado health insurance exchange eyes potential fee increases

Denver Post: April 29

 

VA report says no good alternatives to Aurora hospital completion

Denver Post: April 30

 

VA watchdog never finished an inquiry into Aurora hospital

Denver Post: May 1

 

Labor/Employment

Four cities help Colorado rank high in best places for tech jobs list

Denver Post: April 28

 

Scaled-back family leave bill still in trouble at Legislature

Colorado Public Radio: April 29

 

Effort to create retirement-savings task force blocked in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Employees or contractors? Last-minute bill in Legislature would sort out which is which

Denver Business Journal: May 2

 

Marijuana

MassRoots marijuana social network integrating seed-to-sale system

Denver Post: April 28

 

PERA

Big pension bill complicates session's final days

Chalkbeat: April 29

 

UPDATED: Colorado Legislature considers debt a public pension rescue

Watchdog: April 30

 

Editorial: Put the brakes on PERA bonds bill

Denver Post: April 30

 

DPS pension bill dies; backers blame DC politics, concerns over Bennet

Denver Post: May 1

 

Support for PERA bonds bill in Colorado legislature

The Denver Post: May 2

 

Taxes

Tax-credit study dies in Colorado Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 28

 

Colorado House passes bill to allow vote on taxing offshore accounts

Denver Post: April 29

 

Guest Commentary: Tax appeal hurdle hurts small businesses in Colorado

Denver Post: April 29

 

Transportation

Felony DUI Bill Moves Forward At State Capitol

CBS Local: April 28

 

Hickenlooper-backed highway-funding measure introduced in Legislature

Denver Business Journal: April 29

 

Chances of passing $3.5B Colorado road-funding plan turn bleak

Denver Business Journal: April 30

 

Competing Colorado road-funding bills on collision course at Legislature

Denver Business Journal: May 1

 

Water

Study: 2013 Front Range floods caused a thousand year's worth of erosion

CPR: April 29