As we approach the one-month mark of Colorado’s legislative session, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (Grand Junction Chamber) is increasingly focused on what early proposals signal for the long-term business climate in Western Colorado. While many bills are still in their early stages, their direction matters. For businesses in our region, where markets are shaped by geography, seasonal demand, tourism, and population scale, policy decisions made at the Capitol can either provide stability and certainty or introduce new layers of cost, risk, and confusion. Our role is to engage early, ask hard questions, and clearly represent the concerns of the employers who keep our local economy moving.
Two bills currently under consideration illustrate that balance. HB26-1012 raises significant concerns about the role of government in pricing decisions and the unintended consequences that can follow, while HB26-1014 reflects a pragmatic approach to economic development that has proven effective for Western Colorado. Together, they underscore why the Grand Junction Chamber must both oppose legislation that creates uncertainty for businesses and support policies that encourage investment, expansion, and job creation.
HB26-1012, which the Grand Junction Chamber is actively advocating against as written, is framed around consumer transparency in delivery platform pricing. Transparency is an important goal, and businesses understand the value of clear communication with customers. However, the bill goes well beyond disclosure by introducing a new “captive consumer” designation and prohibiting prices deemed “unreasonably excessive” in situations where competition is limited. This raises foundational concerns about whether and how government should be involved in determining pricing within private markets.
For Western Colorado, limited competition is often a function of geography or context rather than unfair business practices. Concert venues, movie theaters, ski areas, sporting and entertainment facilities, event-based vendors, tourist destinations, and businesses operating in rural or remote communities may all operate with fewer alternatives by nature. These establishments face unique cost structures, including higher insurance premiums, seasonal staffing challenges, transportation costs, security requirements, licensing fees, and infrastructure demands. Applying a subjective pricing standard to these environments creates uncertainty and risk.
The Grand Junction Chamber is concerned about the slippery slope this framework opens. Who determines what constitutes a fair market price in a ski town during peak season, at a sold-out concert, or in a rural community with limited service options? How are fluctuating costs evaluated, and by whom? How is enforcement applied consistently across regions with vastly different economic realities? Without clear, objective standards, businesses are left navigating ambiguity that can discourage investment, limit services, and ultimately reduce consumer choice. These are the concerns the Grand Junction Chamber will continue to raise as we advocate against HB26-1012.
In contrast, HB26-1014 represents the type of policy that supports long-term economic health across the state, particularly in regions like Western Colorado. This bill extends the Colorado Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit through the 2034 state income tax year, providing certainty around one of the few performance-based economic development tools available to support job creation and investment.
This incentive is not a handout. Businesses must create new jobs and meet wage and investment requirements before receiving any benefit. For the Grand Junction Chamber, Grand Junction Economic Partnership, and other economic development partners, this credit is critical not only for attracting new businesses, but for helping existing employers expand, modernize, and reinvest locally. Many of our most valuable economic contributors are already here, and policies like HB26-1014 help ensure they can continue growing in Western Colorado rather than looking elsewhere.
Extending this incentive strengthens Colorado’s competitiveness, supports communities beyond the Front Range, and reinforces a commitment to job creation that is both accountable and results driven. It is a clear example of how policy can encourage growth without adding unnecessary regulatory burden.