2024 Legislative Agenda
For questions or concerns on any of these policies, or if you have a story to share, please email doni@goodbusinessco.org.
2024 Colorado Ballot Initiatives
Our votes can help build stronger business communities, influence policies and protect freedoms and equal rights for generations to come. With this in mind, GBC endorses the following ballot initiatives supported by our policy council leaders. Join us in embracing bold, equitable, and future-focused solutions at the ballot box this November.
✅ SUPPORT: Colorado Amendment J:Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment: measure to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage (Amendment 43) that Colorado currently has in the State Constitution. If the measure is approved by voters, same-sex marriage would remain legal in Colorado if U.S. Supreme Court overturns federal protection.
✅ SUPPORT: Colorado Amendment 79: Right to Abortion and Health Insurance Coverage Initiative: supporting this measure creates a constitutional right to abortion in Colorado and permits the use of public funds for abortion services. This measure would explicitly protect legal access to abortion within the state's constitution and lift the current ban on public funding for abortion. As a result, state and local governments could include abortion coverage in Medicaid and employee health insurance plans.
Colorado 2024 State Legislation
Our Member Policy Priority Survey identified Climate, Equity, Healthcare, Housing, and Economy, as the issues our collective membership cared about the most. With that in mind we work with our member-comprised Policy Council, member Task Forces, and member Thought Partners, as well as community partners and legislators to identify and prioritize bills for GBC endorsement and member engagement.
✅=Support ❌=Oppose ⚠️=Amend 🚨=Action
For questions on any of these bills, please contact our Policy Director.
WINS AND LEARNINGS
Of GBC’s 5 top priority bills two on housing and one on climate passed this year, our regenerative agriculture tax incentive bill from last year’s pitchfest has a strong path to passing in 2025, and the bill to analyze a universal health-care payment system has a lot of enthusiasm behind it, but an uncertain future. Both of our “failed” bills had the votes to pass, assuming our intel is good, they just couldn’t get through before the clock ran out on the statutorily allowed 120 days of the Colorado State General Assembly. We are proud of our members who spoke up for these bills by signing on to support letters, emailing and calling their legislators, meeting with legislators, and testifying in committee.
PASSED! HB24-1152 Accessory Dwelling Units | FACT SHEET & HB24-1313 Transit Oriented Communities | FACT SHEET: These two housing bills were part of a package of land use bills aimed and tackling Colorado’s affordable housing crisis. The first bill will remove the red tape that keeps homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs aka granny flats) on their property and provide funding to local governments helping working people afford housing. The second bill promotes denser and more affordable housing near transit, jobs, and other resources - a housing product that is sorely needed in Colorado to accommodate the needs of the workforce, make transit more efficient, and reduce overall carbon footprint. Housing is a major pain point for our members and we are pleased that these bills are becoming law. They will help our members find and keep employees who can afford to live in their communities, as well as find stable housing for themselves.
PASSED! SB24-229 Ozone Mitigation Measures: The negative ramifications of air pollution on businesses and the broader economy are detrimental for all Coloradans. It diminishes workforce productivity, inflates healthcare expenses, increases instances of absenteeism, leads to premature fatalities, and decreases agricultural output. By setting a clear target to reduce NOx emissions by 50% by 2030 relative to 2017 levels, this bill demonstrates a commitment to environmental protection and public health. Our members have identified air pollution and climate change as top issues of concern and this bill will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and polluted air.
DIED ON CALENDAR. SB24-152 Regenerative Agriculture Tax Credit | FACT SHEET: This bill would incentivize Colorado food and beverage businesses to shift purchasing power towards local, regenerative food. The bill would provide a tax credit to on-premise food and beverage businesses equal to 25% of the amount paid for verified local, regeneratively produced agricultural products. By the time this bill went to the House Appropriations Committee, where the money is doled out, there was fierce competition for tax credits and hard decisions had to be made. Ours was one of many bills that never got scheduled to be heard in Appropriations. We have a very strong start for 2025, though, and will be working over the summer fall to ensure we have built the necessary support.
DIED ON CALENDAR. HB24-1075 Analysis of Universal Health-Care Payment System | FACT SHEET: HB24-1075 would follow up on and leverage the significant data already compiled in a 2019 report by conducting a detailed feasibility analysis of a statewide publicly financed healthcare system in Colorado, including how to finance it, and the impact to the economic sector. The study would explore the option of a publicly financed health care system that could make it easier to grow, providing good jobs for Coloradans in their industries. This bill was introduced on the first day of the session in January, but was still on the schedule for it’s last floor debate on the second to last day. Knowing that debate on this bill was likely to be extensive, and with many other bills to wrap up, the decision was made not to push it back. Eventually time simply ran out. This is the second year that this bill has faltered before the finish line, but advocates are determined to keep fighting.
🍃 CLIMATE 🍃
PASSED! TOP PRIORITY 👉🏼✅SB24-229 Ozone Mitigation Measures: The negative ramifications of ozone depletion on businesses and the broader economy are detrimental for all Coloradans. It diminishes workforce productivity, inflates healthcare expenses, increases instances of absenteeism, leads to premature fatalities, and decreases agricultural output. By setting a clear target to reduce NOx emissions by 50% by 2030 relative to 2017 levels, this bill demonstrates a commitment to environmental protection and public health.
PASSED! ✅SB24-037 Study Green Infrastructure for Water Quality Management: SB24-037 allows for research to explore how Colorado can create jobs, reduce costs and support a more resilient environment by implementing green infrastructures such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens for water quality management.
PASSED! ✅SB24-032 Methods to Increase the Use of Transit: SB24-032 proposes the establishment of a statewide transit pass exploratory committee within the Department of Transportation, tasked with developing a comprehensive proposal for the creation of a statewide transit pass. A well-designed statewide transit pass has the potential to enhance the efficiency of employee commutes, reduce transportation-related costs, improve access to products and services of local businesses, and attract and retain top talent.
FAILED -BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME! ✅SB24-159 Mod to Energy & Carbon Management Processes: This bill would phase out new oil and gas drilling permits, allowing existing operations to continue until they run dry, as long as 40 years or more. It would also hold polluters responsible for clean up. The measures in SB24-159 are essential for phasing out the detrimental impacts of oil and gas extraction on the outdoor recreation industry, businesses that rely on tourism, and businesses in every industry now paying a premium due to increased environmental risks and damaging events.
PASSED! ✅SB24-230 Oil & Gas Production Fees: This bill implements a production fee to expand local transit services, support public transportation, and fund wildlife and land remediation projects paid by oil and gas producers. It also establishes administrative procedures, penalties for non-compliance, and reporting requirements to ensure effective implementation and oversight of the fee programs.
🩺 HEALTHCARE 🩺
DIED ON CALENDAR-LET’S TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR! TOP PRIORITY 👉🏼✅HB24-1075 Analysis of Universal Health-Care Payment System | FACT SHEET: HB24-1075 would follow up on and leverage the significant data already compiled in a 2019 report by conducting a detailed feasibility analysis of a statewide publicly financed healthcare system in Colorado, including how to finance it, and the impact to the economic sector. The study would explore the option of a publicly financed health care system that could make it easier to grow, providing good jobs for Coloradans in their industries.
FAILED-BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME! ✅HB24-1005 Health Insurers Contract with Qualified Providers: This bill aims to narrow the enforcement of non-compete clauses to aspects related to damages from breaches rather than terminations and prohibiting certain types of damages, the bill aims to strike a balance, protecting both physicians' rights and ensuring fair and reasonable contractual obligations.
❌SB24-060 Prescription Drug Affordability Board Exempt Orphan Drugs: This bill sets a hazardous precedent that could gut the efficacy of the Affordability Board and its ability to ensure people have access to affordable prescription drugs- especially individuals diagnosed with rare diseases or conditions. The complexities of our current healthcare system require comprehensive solutions. However, SB24-060 is a step in the wrong direction and can impede Colorado residents from having access to the medications they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
PASSED!⚠️ SB24-141 Out of State Telehealth Providers : Addresses the important step of analyzing local and regional housing needs and planning to meet those needs. However, the bill needs stronger affordability, anti-displacement, anti-sprawl, and accountability provisions and needs to specifically align and interact appropriately with other housing bills (HB24-1152, HB24-1007, HB24-1313) and Prop 123.
🏠 HOUSING 🏠
PASSED! TOP PRIORITY 👉🏼✅HB24-1152 Accessory Dwelling Units | FACT SHEET: This bill is aimed at addressing the housing shortages in Colorado. It would remove the red tape that keeps homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs aka granny flats) on their property. It would also provide funding to local governments helping working people afford housing.
PASSED! ⚠️SB24-174 Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance: Addresses the important step of analyzing local and regional housing needs and planning to meet those needs. However, the bill needs stronger affordability, anti-displacement, anti-sprawl, and accountability provisions and needs to specifically align and interact appropriately with other housing bills (HB24-1152, HB24-1007, HB24-1313) and Prop 123.
PASSED! GOV SIGNED, IT’S A LAW! ✅HB24-1007 Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits: This bill would require local governments to base occupancy limits on health an safety and not on familial relationship. It allows for greater inclusivity for various family and household structures and represents a crucial step forward in addressing pressing issues related to housing.
PASSED! ✅HB24-1313 Transit Oriented Communities | FACT SHEET: Promotes denser and more affordable housing near transit, jobs, and other resources. This type of housing product is sorely needed in Colorado to accommodate the needs of the workforce, make transit more efficient, and reduce overall carbon footprint.
💲 TAXES, FEES & REGUALTIONS 💲
FAILED-LET’S TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR! TOP PRIORITY 👉🏼✅SB24-152 Regenerative Agriculture Tax Credit | FACT SHEET: This bill would incentivize Colorado food and beverage businesses to shift purchasing power towards local, regenerative food. The bill would provide a tax credit to on-premise food and beverage businesses equal to 25% of the amount paid for verified local, regeneratively produced agricultural products.
PASSED! ✅HB24-1004 Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations: House Bill 24-1004 would open access to occupational licensing, helping to grow our economy, encourage entrepreneurship, and make communities safer through lower recidivism. By joining the 39 other states that have eliminated or eased licensing barriers for people with criminal records, our legislature can address the labor shortage and ensure Colorado remains a top place to do business for years to come.
FAILED-BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME! ✅HB24-1014 Deceptive Trade Practice Significant Impact Standard: Unfair or deceptive trade practices have a considerable effect on the public. Currently, the Colorado Consumer Protection Act requires a significant amount of harm before consumers have an avenue for recompense. This simplification of the system will better protect consumers, promote honest competition among businesses, and discourage unfair competition.
FAILED -BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME! ✅HB24-1015 Workplace Suicide Prevention Education: HB24-1015 requires the Department of Labor and Employment to distribute suicide prevention education materials to employers. These resources raise awareness and offer support to employees facing mental health challenges, helping reduce crises and healthcare costs while fostering a supportive workplace culture that can boost employee loyalty and engagement.
FAILED -BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME! ✅HB24-1061 Marijuana Industry & Social Equity: This bill aims to reform the social equity program in the marijuana entrepreneur fund by expanding the licensing opportunities available, creating reporting requirements for social equity licenses, creating a tax credit for an accelerator-endorsed licensee that offers technical and capital support to a social equity licensee and providing grants to allow for social equity programming.
PASSED! ✅HB24-1095 Increasing Protections for Minor Workers: In an effort to better protect children from unsafe working conditions, this bill outlines accountability measures for businesses that violate child labor laws by increasing penalties for violations, ramping up reporting requirements and shielding workers and violation reporters from employer retaliation.
PASSED! ✅HB24-1133 Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes: HB24-1133 provides a path for individuals who have been mistakenly arrested to petition for expungement if the arresting agency fails to do so. It also streamlines procedures for sealing records, allows remote hearings, reduces waiting periods for sealing municipal records, and establishes a process for sealing conviction records when a change in law legalizes previously prohibited conduct, all of which helps create a smoother reintegration into society for individuals with criminal records.
PASSED! GOV SIGNED, IT’S A LAW! ✅SB24-025 Update Local Government Sales & Use Tax Collection: Senate Bill SB24-025 tackles the challenges posed by the fragmented nature of Colorado's current tax administration statutes. By modernizing and clarifying these laws, SB24-025 aims to streamline tax collection, enhance transparency, accessibility, and fairness, ultimately reducing administrative burdens, improving compliance rates, and supporting small business growth in Colorado.
PASSED! ✅SB24-020 Alcohol Beverage Delivery & Takeout: The permit allowing businesses to deliver or allows customers to take alcohol beverages from their premises is set to expire on July 1, 2025. SB24-020 removes this expiration, ensuring ongoing authorization for alcohol beverage delivery and takeout by specified licensees, providing vital support for businesses and consumers while also holding potential for enhancing public safety by reducing the risks associated with impaired driving.
PASSED! ✅HB24-1439 Financial Incentives Expand Apprenticeship Programs: This bill will establish a refundable state income tax credit for employers who hire apprentices, provide funding for the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs through scale-up grants, and support intermediary organizations connecting employers with apprenticeship opportunities through a grant program, ultimately promoting workforce development and economic growth.