Legislative Advocacy
We want Colorado and Pueblo to continue to be a great place to live and work—that’s why we advocate for you here at home and in Washington. Get to know how we work and how you can get involved.
Have a question about a position we’ve taken? Call us at (719)542-1704 or email us at duanen@pueblochamber.net
Also, Change all of the contact information on the At Congress and Legislature cards to:
Have a question about a position we’ve taken? Call us at (719)542-1704 or email us at duanen@pueblochamber.net
How We Work
Legislative Breakfast
Legislative Breakfast
The series is designed for community members to hear firsthand how legislation will affect their business and quality of life. Community members can also communicate their concerns, comments, and questions to their legislators. The breakfast series is held on Saturday mornings and begin in January each year.
At Congress
At Congress
In addition to our focus on local and state policy issues, we are committed to carrying your voice to Washington and working with the Colorado congressional delegation.
Have a question about a position we’ve taken? Call us at (719)542-1704, (800) 233-3446 or email us at info@pueblochamber.org.
On the Ballot
On the Ballot
As in every election, it’s important to know the facts about ballot issues. The Chamber has taken a stance on a number of critical statewide and regional ballot measures. We will share not only our position on the ballot issue but, just as importantly, why we have taken that position.
Legislature
State Legislation
Each session we take positions on matters that stand to impact the business community and our economy. Our policy decisions are guided by a committee of members and our board of directors.
Have a question about a position we’ve taken? Call us at (719)542-1704, (800) 233-3446 or email us at info@pueblochamber.net.
Positions on State & Local Ballot Initiatives
Position Key: 👍🏻 Support 👎🏻 Oppose (-) Neutral
INITIATIVE | TITLE | SUMMARY | JUSTIFICATION | POSITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMENDMENT X | Change in the definition of INDUSTRIAL Hemp. | Removes the current definition of “industrial hemp” from the Colorado Constitution and instead places the responsibility of defining hemp on the state legislature, either pursuant to the federal statutory definition or as defined in Colorado statute. | This will allow the state legislature more flexibility to respond to federal policy changes relating to industrial hemp, so Colorado can remain competitive in the industry. | 👍🏻 |
| AMENDMENT Y & Z | Fair Maps for Colorado Congressional and Legislative Redistricting. | These amendments create two 12-member redistricting commissions, one for congressional and one for legislative redistricting. The commissions will be made up of 4 members of the state’s largest political party and 4 members of the 2nd largest political party and 4 unaffiliated members. The commissions will be required to create competitive districts every 10 years. | This is a transparent, fair approach to redistricting that could result in competitive seats throughout our state. | 👍🏻 |
| AMENDMENT 73 | Funding for public Schools. | Establishes graduated income tax rates for incomes over $150,000 to create and fund a new public-school finance formula. The measure also increases the corporate income tax rate as well as lower, then freeze property tax rates to stabilize education funding. | While we support well-funded schools, this does not deliver better results or outcomes in terms of student achievement. If we are going to raise our taxes we should expect improvements like higher graduation rates and lower remediation rates in higher education. While 3 out of 4 jobs today are requiring postsecondary credentials education funding that changes our state constitution should include higher education just not PreK12. | 👍🏻 |
| AMENDMENT 74 | Just compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value by Government Law and Regulation. | Amends the state constitution to require that property owners be compensated for any reduction in property value caused by state laws or regulations. | This amendment will deter governments from enacting necessary regulations that protect the general public, and will have unforeseen consequences to many government practices including local zoning and licensing, development incentives, regulatory protections and prohibitions. It would also make expansion of public infrastructure near impossible, and would increase litigation and compensation costs that would likely bankrupt local communities. | 👎🏻 |
| PROPOPSITION 109 | Authorize bonds for highway projects. | Department of Transportation will issue TRANs bonds up to a maximum of 3.5 billion with revenues reserved for road and bridge projects specified in the measurer. | This initiative requires its purposes be achieved and TRANs repayments made without raising taxes. These bonds would have a 20 year pay back and if the economy slows could affect revenue for health care and education. | 👎🏻 |
| PROPOSITION 110 | Sales tax increase for State Highway Fund | Raises sales tax from 2.9% to 3.52 % and directs collected revenues to the State Highway Fund 45%. Multimodal transportation, 15% 40% for local governments. | The measure also allows the Department of Transportation to issue up to $6 billion in TRANs bonds. | 👍🏻 |
| PROPOSITION 112 | Increase Setback Requirement for Oil and Natural Gas Development | Requires a 2500-foot setback of all new oil and natural gas developments from any occupied structure, vulnerable areas and drinking water sources including homes, hospitals, schools, parks, playgrounds, lakes and rivers. | This will eliminate oil and gas production across the state costing $200 billion in lost production and royalties and 232,900 in lost industry jobs. | 👎🏻 |
| LOCAL BALLOT ISSUE 4A | A mill levy overrides up to 6 mills to use for educational purposes improving the quality of the schools in District 60, Pueblo City Schools. | The 6 million dollars collected starting in 2019 and be used in the following proportions. • 50% toward increasing teacher and staff salaries. • 30% toward maintaining school buildings and infrastructure. • 20% toward school safety, security and mental health services. • This mill levy override will cost property owners $3.60 per month per $100,000 of property value. | This is a tax increase that doesn’t ensure higher graduation rates or less higher education remediation rates and does not provide for a more qualified work force. | 👎🏻 |
Striving to Make Pueblo a Better Place to Live, Visit and Conduct Business