Last week, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Legislative Wrap-Up lunch, providing a comprehensive overview of the outcomes from the 74th General Assembly in Colorado. The event featured a distinguished panel including Senator Janice Rich, Megan Dollar, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Political Operations for the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, and Ed Sealover, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Editor of The Sum and Substance for the Colorado Chamber.
Senator Janice Rich, renowned for her bipartisan approach and advocacy for businesses across Colorado, shared insights into the challenges faced during the fast-paced legislative session. She highlighted the complexity of safeguarding businesses in an increasingly difficult climate, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and compromise in crafting effective legislation. Notably, all bills introduced by Senator Rich were successfully sent to Governor Polis for approval, reflecting her significant achievements this session.
Megan Dollar underscored the critical role played by organizations like the Colorado Chamber and the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce in defeating bills that posed substantial risks to job creation and economic growth. She emphasized the value of proactive engagement from businesses and community stakeholders in providing legislators with the necessary information and support to combat detrimental proposals.
Ed Sealover echoed Dollar’s sentiments, noting that while the legislative session was not without its challenges, it was one of the better sessions for businesses in recent memory. Despite the introduction of several “job killer” bills, strategic advocacy efforts led to either the defeat or amendment of these proposals, mitigating potential damage to the business environment.
Candace Carnahan, President & CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber, emphasized the importance of ongoing advocacy work in preserving the competitiveness of Colorado businesses. She highlighted the Chamber’s increased engagement this past season, with positions taken on 70 bills, up from 52 the previous year. Remarkably, the organization’s success rate soared to 67%, reflecting the effectiveness of its advocacy efforts.
In closing, Carnahan reiterated the critical role of proactive advocacy in shaping favorable policy outcomes for businesses. She emphasized the need for continued vigilance and engagement to address emerging challenges and maintain Colorado’s competitiveness in a dynamic economic landscape.