As Colorado’s legislative session comes to a close, businesses across Mesa County and the Western Slope are once again left evaluating what the decisions made under the Gold Dome will mean for their future. From workforce policy and housing to regulation, taxation, energy, insurance, and the overall cost of doing business, the impacts of state legislation do not stay in Denver. They show up in operating budgets, hiring decisions, expansion plans, and ultimately in the strength and competitiveness of local communities like ours.
That is why the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Legislative Wrap Up Breakfast on Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m. This important conversation brings together local business leaders, community members, and elected officials to reflect on the 120-day legislative session and discuss what comes next for Colorado businesses.
This year’s breakfast will feature Mesa County’s General Assembly delegation including State Senator Janice Rich, State Representative Rick Taggart, and State Representative Matt Soper. Together, they will discuss the highlights of the session, the policy priorities that shaped debate under the Capitol dome, and the ongoing battles to keep business competitiveness top of mind in Colorado.
The conversation comes at a critical time.
Over the past several years, Colorado has faced growing concerns surrounding its business climate and economic competitiveness. Employers across industries continue to navigate rising costs,
workforce shortages, increasing regulatory complexity, and uncertainty surrounding future policy direction. Those challenges are not theoretical for Mesa County businesses. They influence everything from whether a business hires an additional employee to whether an entrepreneur decides to invest, expand, or remain in Colorado at all.
Throughout the legislative session, the Chamber has worked alongside legislators, statewide business organizations, and stakeholders from across Colorado to advocate for thoughtful policy that supports economic vitality while pushing back against measures that further strain employers and job creators. Advocacy is not about politics for the sake of politics. It is about ensuring the voice of Mesa County businesses is heard in conversations that directly impact their ability to operate, grow, and compete.
That work matters because decisions made at the state level increasingly shape the economic reality of communities on the Western Slope.
In addition to hearing directly from local legislators, attendees will also hear from special guest DJ Summers of the Common Sense Institute, who will provide insight into several recently released reports examining Colorado’s economic trajectory.
The reports explore topics including Colorado’s high rate of workplace losses in 2024, the economic consequences tied to lost TABOR refunds, and the growing challenges surrounding the state budget. Together, the findings paint a broader picture of the pressures facing Colorado’s economy and why policy decisions matter not only in theory, but in the day-to-day realities experienced by businesses and families alike.
Attendees interested in reviewing the reports ahead of the breakfast can explore them through the Common Sense Institute, TABOR refund analysis, and Colorado budget report.
Events like the Legislative Wrap Up Breakfast are an important reminder that advocacy does not begin and end during election season. Strong communities require engaged citizens, informed employers, and ongoing dialogue between policymakers and the people impacted by their decisions. Whether you agree or disagree with every bill debated this session, staying informed and involved remains one of the most important ways we shape the future of Mesa County and Colorado.
The Legislative Wrap Up Breakfast will take place on Tuesday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early through the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce at www.gjchamber.org/events.