June Good Business Colorado Scoop
Just as temperatures are rising across Colorado, things are heating up here at GBC! Hopefully by now you know we’re kicking off the 🔥 HOT (hip, original, and trend-setting) 💡Electric Avenue Event Series tomorrow, with GBC community VIP Electric Breakfast Open House in the AM ahead of the Electric Avenue – Bar Bite Battle.
🏳🌈 June is also LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. If you are an LGBTQIA+ GBC member, and would like your business to be featured in our June communications, let Odette know.
👶🏾👨🦳🤰🏾👩🦽🧕🏾 This June, we celebrate the fruits of the FAMLI Coalition’s labor to win an inclusive definition of family when determining eligibility for the Colorado paid family and medical leave program. In addition to fighting for LGBTQIA+ equity through our policy work, GBC works with employers and entrepreneurs to adopt LGBTQIA+ friendly business practices. As with most things, GBC members are ahead of the pack when it comes to pioneering and adopting these business practices, and this month, we are asking these members to brag in a way that could have a HUGE positive impact on other businesses and their employees.
📝 GBC is part of an initiative headed up by Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to reinvigorate and revise a Family Friendly Toolkit for Businesses”. We know that business owners learn best from their peers, and so we are asking you to share how your business has implemented a family friendly practice or policy. We need examples of everything you do to support your employees and their families, no matter how “small” you think it is, if it makes life better for your team, we want to know about it! Click here to submit your family friendly business practices via this brief Google form.
📅 As you likely know, GBC’s not the only organization with a popping June schedule! Read on for a full list of member and partner events happening throughout the month! Be sure to click the “view entire message” at the bottom of this email to see the full list of June happenings across the GBC community, and the list of evergreen resources and funding opportunities.
Welcome New Members!
💯Thank You for Renewing Your GBC Membership!
Artist Proof Collective
Bayaud Enterprises, Inc.
Better Pockets Financial
Celestial Alegria, LLC
Citrine & Gold LLC
Fire on the Mountain
Intellicents
Mainstream Nails
Smart Choice Accounting LLC
Transformative Gatherings
Visibility Solutions Group
WideFocus.us Social Media
Yarn Shoppe Denver
The 2024 Legislative Session Wrapped up in May, and here is how it all turned out for GBC's 5 top priority bills.
🏘️Housing Bills PASSED! HB24-1152 Accessory Dwelling Units & HB24-1313 Transit Oriented Communities. As part of a package of land use bills aimed at tackling Colorado’s affordable housing crisis, these bills will help our members find and keep employees who can afford to live in their communities, as well as find stable housing for themselves
🍃Climate Bill PASSED! SB24-229 Ozone Mitigation Measures. 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 and will help our members avoid the negative impacts of air pollution and climate change on their businesses.
🌱SB24-152 Regenerative Agriculture Tax Credit. This bill from last year’s pitchfest would have strengthened the market for regeneratively produced agricultural products, promoting climate friendly practices and healthier food. It did not prevail, but has a strong path to passing in 2025.
🩺HB23-1075 Analysis of Universal Healthcare Payment System. The bill to analyze a universal health-care payment system has a lot of enthusiasm behind it, but an uncertain future as advocates meet to discuss ways to move the idea forward.
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. Click here to see our full Legislative Agenda | Click here to view a recording of the 2024 GBC and RMMFI Legislative Stories and Successes Webinar.
We are so grateful to all 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!
📰 Members in the News 📰
Turning The Corner has been recognized as a Colorado Top 100 Woman Owned Businesses Award Winner.
📰GUEST COLUMN: CEO of arc Thrift Stores, Lloyd Lewis, Sees an ‘Hidden Crisis’ of Disability Rights
📣Angelique Espinoza, Good Business Colorado, 🎙How women became America's safety net
🌎ClimateCon Brings Clean Energy Activists together at Boulder Debut - Read all about it!
You'll find the details of our upcoming events below, and you can view detailed event information on the GBC website.
What: Electric Breakfast Open House
When: Saturday, June 8th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: La Victoria Healing Kitchen (1427 Elmira St, Aurora, CO 80010)
Yes, I want to join the VIP kickoff event for Electric Avenue
What: Electric Avenue – Bar Bite Battle🍻
When: Saturday, June 8th from 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: Stanley Marketplace (2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010)
I'll be at the FREE Electric Avenue Top Chef Style Contest
What: Family Friendly Environmental Stewardship event with OneCanopy
When: Saturday, June 15th from 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Where: OneCanopy (2880 14th St SE, Loveland, CO 80537)
Yes, I'm down to volunteer with GBC at OneCanopy
What: SLV Entrepreneurship Summit
When: Wednesday, June 26th from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: Adams State, Alamosa
Yes! Sign me up for the SLV Entrepreneurship Summit
What: Electric Avenue – Christmas in July🎄
When: Friday, July 5th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Town Hall Collaborative (525 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204)
📆Member & Community Events📆
What: Hike to End Hunger 👣
When: June 8, 2024
What: Downtown Grand Junction Downtowner Event & Retail Strategies + Cross Collaboration
When: June 13, 5:00 - 7:00 pm and than on June 14, 9:00 am
Where: Grand Junction
What: Understanding Corporate Transparency Act💲
When: Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 5:30 pm
Where: Front Range Community College 4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins
This event will be in Spanish. English Translation will be available via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Don't miss out – register today!
What: trebuchet group presents "An Introduction to Drama Free Conversations at Work"
When: Tuesday, June 11th, 11:00 am - 12:00 am MST
This is a free online webinar, but you need to register to save your spot!
What: Bilingual Small Business Conference & Expo / Conferencia & Expo Bilingüe para Pequeños Negocios
When: June 20, 8:00 am
Where: CU Leeds School of Business 995 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309
DISCOUNT CODE: Latino2024
WHAT: Green Career Expo
WHEN: Saturday, June 22, 2024 9:00 am - 12 pm
WHERE: Lowry Conference Center, 1061 Akron Way, Denver CO
Tickets!!
WHAT: Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Series: Supplier Diversity
WHEN: Thursday, June 27th, 8:00am - 11:30 am
WHERE: Hampton Inn and Suites, Denver Downtown Convention Center, Room Inspire Brilliance, 550 15th Street, Denver Colorado
What: Human Potential Summit
In partnership with Good Business Colorado, the Human Potential Summit is extending five complimentary tickets to attend the Summit - register here! For all parties that enter and do no receive a free ticket, a 30% discount will be offered valid through June 30, 2024.
Opportunities!
CDPHE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE C3 ENTERPRISE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Individuals with an interest in designing and delivering circular economy services and statewide solutions are encouraged to review this Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise Overview.
Professional Licensing Research Survey for Immigrants & Refugees
Participate in our research survey to help us remove barriers to professional work for immigrants & refugees and inform people about career options. Our hope is for all Coloradans, regardless of country of origin and immigration status, to be able to achieve their career goals and dreams, and access upward economic mobility!
If you want to help your community in Colorado while also making a profit, this FREE, data-proven, Social Enterprise Accelerator is for you! In just 16 weeks, SEA will help you move your business forward further, faster. Apply Now applications close on July 1st!
💚Community and Partner Resources💚
CGBN Application Tips and Tricks Workshop: June 11th
The Colorado Green Business Network team is hosting two informational workshops on best practices and tips and tricks for your CGBN application! If you're looking to apply for statewide recognition through the network this year. In that case, you won't want to miss out on these opportunities to learn how to submit the strongest possible application. Register here!
💻The Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is excited to share that they have 35 Digital Navigators! These wonderful individuals are helping the community with affordable home internet service, low or no cost devices, and foundational digital skills. Click here to view the list of the Digital Navigators in your area.
💲Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC) - Social Coop Academy
A series of weekly sessions learning about examples of social coops to understand their impact on the care economy. Register here.
🏫 DPS Seeks Partner Orgs for Summer Internships
Denver Public Schools is looking for organizations in Metro Denver to host high school students this summer through the district's Launch Internship Program! The session runs June 10 - July 19, with students working 110 hours over the six weeks. DPS Launch interns can support your team with business operations, digital marketing, IT/Tech support and more. DPS staff will assist intern supervisors with program planning and intern selection, as well as continue to support the student/organization matches during the term. Learn more.
👨🏫Workplace support - ELL: free workforce-specific English language classes for working people in Colorado. Click here to learn more!
💲Funding Opportunities💲
Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program
The Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program is now open and will close on June 21st. The competitive statewide funding can be used for new vehicles, vehicle conversions, and clean fleet technology. An organization must complete separate applications for each project to be considered for the three potential funding opportunities. Learn more here!
Certifiably Green Denver's Equity Funding
The Equity Fund is now open in Denver to provide funding up to $10,000 in upfront funding to implement sustainability practices such as waste reduction/diversion, sustainable transportation, water conservation, energy efficiency, and more! The funding is meant for small, minority, and women-owned businesses. Funding will be released on a rolling basis starting in April. Apply today!
CGBN Direct Installation Mini-Grants: Available to all our members!
While funding lasts, members can apply for the installation mini grants to purchase resource-saving items for businesses. As a CGBN business, you can select items from the list in the order form below. We recommend each business limit orders to $400 or less (estimated pricing listed in the order form). Items must be installed within six months of receiving the order. You are responsible for any installation costs (CGBN will only cover the cost of the item itself and shipping), and you agree to communicate with CGBN to verify the installation of items. Please click here to begin the product request!
🤑2024 Equity Funding is now OPEN!
We are now taking applications for this year’s Equity Funding. Women- and minority-owned small businesses can get up to $10,000 for projects. These projects should have the goal of reducing waste, energy, or water use in their operations. Learn more!
💲2024 WomensNet's Grants (6 types - 1 application!) - $10,000 winner each month✨
🤑Building Electrification Rebates The city has multiple rebates to help those considering building electrification.
💰Reuse Denver Incentives for Retail Food Establishments
If your application is accepted, you will receive support from the Reuse Denver program partner, Diversion Designers, and up to $600 worth of reusable food service ware (i.e., bowls, cups, and plates).
💸Energize Colorado has opened applications for their Energize Community Program, which includes funding and education statewide. Learn more and apply here.
💸Prairie Rose Development is the only organization in CO that offers 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs looking to grow their business. Learn more here.
💲Charitable Impact Loans Offered in partnership with The Community Impact Fund, these 0% interest, non-credit bearing loans with flexible payback terms are focused on those facing unexpected financial hardship or high-interest debt.
If you appreciate the policy work we do to level the playing field for values-driven business owners, or the events we host to build the GBC community and support our members on their journeys to running even better businesses, please consider making a financial investment in our work today!
