April Good Business Colorado Scoop
It's April, which is always an exciting time for Good Business Colorado, but this year it is an especially wonderful Spring kick off as many seeds that we previously planted are coming to fruition!
First and foremost, after an extensive search process, we will be welcoming our new Executive Director to the GBC team, and Debra will finally get to make her move to Director of Membership & Programming! Stay tuned for a proper introduction when she starts the week of April 15th.
The ideas GBC members presented to legislators as part of our 1st ever Policy Pitchfest are making their way through the legislature, and our first ever Policy Passport Contest is kicking into high gear! Read below for details and if you haven't yet joined the competition, it's not too late!
This week we also got to kick off our statewide member visits with a trip to Durango, where we also participated in the Downtown Colorado INC annual conference. The month is packed with more fun and educational GBC and partner events, all of which you can read more about below.
April is also "Autism Acceptance Month." and in addition to hosting an event in partnership with DIRT Coffee (details below) we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the work of two of our GBC DEI&B Task Force (formerly the Demographics Task Force) members - Chrysta Bairre with She Goes High and Jessi Burg with Outdrow Your Garage. For the past 6 years, She Goes High has held an annual strategic retreat in Estes Park where women business owners can think deeply about their business and how to achieve their goals, and envision a business that meets their needs - whatever those needs are. This year, Chrysta and Jessi Burg are co-facilitating the retreat. Both women identify as neurodiverse. As a result, diverse needs are at the center of every conversation. Jessi's background is in experiential education, and she likes to move. Chrysta has days with limited mobility, and too much movement wears her out. For some, this might be a dire situation of competing needs. Instead, Chrysta and Jessi have movement activities that are optional, stationary activities that allow for deep focus or playful creativity, and built a workbook that can be filled out electronically or on paper. Accessibility and equity are at the center of the conference's design, from planning to implementation. Keep an eye out for more information on lessons that can be taken from this equity-centered event!
Welcome New Members!
Thank You for Renewing Your GBC Membership!
Lyons Educational Consulting
Rent-A-Theme Entertainment
Relish Studio
Good Bones Consulting
Move Up Mortgage
Switchboard Strategies
Golden Real Estate, Inc.
San Juan Hand Therapy
The Wellness Center
Partnership for Community Action - PfCA
Durango Compost Company
Unbound Inbound
Bonacquisti Wine Company
Wallaroo Hat Company
Shelton Capital Management
The FBB Group, LTD.
Foote Law Firm
Avid4 Adventure
Housefish
John P. Morse, CPA, LLC
Vista Caballo
Regan Byrd Consulting
Mosby Employment Services
Intentional Results
Featherbuilt
Lighthouse
Wana Brands
Take a Look at Colorado's Budget
The Colorado state legislative session is in full swing, and the state budget is making its way through the process. The budget bill (or long bill) has seen amendments in the House and in the Senate and is expected to clear the Senate today. Next week a group of Senators and Representatives from both parties will work on reconciling the differences between what passed in each chamber.
90 second KOAA 5 YouTube VIDEO
If you are interested in learning more about Colorado's budget, and how TABOR makes us special, check out these resources:
Podcast: Lawmakers’ $1.5B tax credit battle royale: Spending limits make it hard for the legislature to put new priorities in the budget. But the tax code is another matter altogether. By Andrew Kenney and Bente Birkeland
Join Our Scavenger Hunt at the Capitol!
We're taking the Policy Passport Program back to the Colorado State Capitol for another fun and informative scavenger hunt - don't miss out on the action!
Fri Apr 26th 2024, 9:00 am - 11:00 am MDT
Action Alert for Affordable Housing
HB24-1313 Transit Oriented Communities is a bill to promote 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. Your legislator needs to hear from you about why affordable housing is important to you and your business! (and earn 5 Policy Passport points!*)
*not playing the Policy Passport game for points and prizes yet? There is still time to join!
Members in the News
Jamie Blanchard-Poling, Compost Queen, Waste-management firm opens new facility, HQ in Fort Collins
Elishevah Sepulveda, Seppy's Kosher Baked Goods: Sharing Challah - Pueblo staple, kosher classic: Seppy's Challah Breads makes move from digital storefront to brick-and-mortar
Yellow Dog - Colorado business to host month-long "Period Positive Hygiene Drive" for Women's History Month Colorado business to host month-long "Period Positive Hygiene Drive" for Women's History Month
Dayle Wickizer, Fractional COO with Intentional Results. Conversations with founders of FoCo business. Listen here!
What: Good Business Colorado Community Building @ Frame de Art
When: Thursday, April 11th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Frame de Art (3065 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113)
If you are looking to make meaningful connections with likeminded people in the Denver Metro area, this is an event for you! Whether you are new to the GBC network or a founding member, you're guaranteed to make new connections with other people who are working to make Colorado and the world more equitably prosperous and sustainable! We hope you will join Good Business Colorado and Frame de Art at this free and fun community building event!
Sign me up for this FREE Community Building Event
What: April 26th - Policy Passport Scavenger Hunt @ the Capitol
When: Friday, April 18th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: The Colorado State Capitol (200 E Colfax Ave, Denver CO 80203)
We're taking the Policy Passport Program back to the Colorado State Capitol for another epic scavenger hunt! Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to find 9 clues and complete the action for each clue. In the process of doing so, you'll earn the “Policy Passport Stamp” points, win prizes, meet elected officials and learn about how the laws that impact our businesses and communities are made! It's going to be fun and informative, and you definitely don't want to miss out on the action!
I'm down for a scavenger hunt at the Capital!
What: Neuro Diversity 101 (in person & online) + Networking @ DIRT Coffee
When: Tuesday, April 30th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: DIRT Coffee Bar (5767 S Rapp St., Littleton, CO 80120)
Do you want to learn about ways to promote the neurodivergent community in the workforce? Are you looking to make meaningful connections with likeminded people? If you answered "yes" to either or both questions, this is an event for you! Join us in cel