The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce took to the state capitol February 21st and 22nd to advocate on behalf of the western slope business community. The trip offered a unique opportunity for attendees to network with state lawmakers, and engage with their state government. This year, approximately 40 Chamber members, including the 2019 Mesa County Leadership Class and members of the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs committee, made the trek to Denver for the Annual Legislative Days State Capitol Trip.
2019 had already seen many bills introduced that will impact businesses by the time the Grand Junction Chamber’s delegation arrived in Denver.
Besides discussing the bills shown here, attendees met with lawmakers and were briefed by members of Governor Polis’s cabinet on topics such as economic development for rural areas, how the new administration proposes to help rural areas manage their health insurance costs, what new laws and regulations might mean for employers and much more. “Every business will see at least some change in the way they do business as a result of this session of the Colorado General Assembly. That is why it is so important that we meet with many of these policy makers face to face at least once a year,” noted Chamber CEO Diane Schwenke.
This year’s Capitol Trip guest speakers were:
• Betsy Markey, Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade
• Joe Barela, Executive Director of the Department of Labor
• Lauren Larson, Executive Director of the Office of State Budgeting and Planning
• Kim Bimestefer, Executive Director of Health Care Policy and Finance
• Elizabeth Garner, State Demographer, Department of Local Affairs
The Chamber’s Annual State Capitol Trip is an important part of our continued efforts to advocate effectively for a more favorable business climate at the local, state and federal level.
Thank you again to our trip Sponsors!
To learn more about the Chamber’s business advocacy efforts, contact Diane at
diane@gjchamber.org.
Click here to download the full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce March 2019 Newsletter.