Senate Committee passes Colorado Entrepreneur Act

Heath bill will attract new venture capital resources to Colorado

DENVER – Today, Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder) passed the Colorado Entrepreneur Act through the Senate Business Labor and Technology Committee. This legislation will help Colorado increase the availability of venture capital to generate new businesses and jobs at existing businesses. Venture capital is essential in attracting innovative industry to promote job growth.  

Senator Heath offered the following comment on the passage of The Colorado Entrepreneur Act today:

“By not investing in venture capital we are putting Colorado at a competitive disadvantage.  Our economic future rests on our ability to attract venture capital to bring in new industries and help business in Colorado thrive.”

Senator Linda Newell's business expansion bill clears first hurdle today

DENVER —Today, the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee passed Senate Bill 5, The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act by Senator Linda Newell (D-Littleton). This legislation establishes the Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Program in an effort to continue to support local businesses and the employment opportunities they provide. The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Program will be established by the Governor's Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and will expand upon the “Colorado Blueprint,” a bottom up approach to economic expansion developed by Governor John Hickenlooper.

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade will be responsible for engaging and protecting existing businesses in Colorado, gathering relevant information about their current needs and challenges, and facilitating the relationship between businesses and government resources. The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act is one component of the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works” jobs package, a series of bills that will be introduced throughout the session that are focused on continued job creation and economic growth in the state.

Senator Newell offered the following comment on the The Colorado Business Retention and Expansion Act today:

“As a business professional I know firsthand the obstacles facing our hard working business communities. Colorado businesses have been loyal job creators and economic drivers, and this bill will provide them with the extra tools and support they need to keep them in our state and thriving.”

Local Foods, Local Jobs Act will help Colorado’s small farmers

"Bipartisan bill will bring, "life and prosperity into our community"

DENVER — Today the Local Foods, Local Jobs act, sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), passed through the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee. The Local Foods, Local Jobs act supports local, small-scale growers and producers by creating alternative methods for them to sell homemade, value added goods.  Senate Bill 48 will allow small growers to sell their products directly to consumers, jump starting local economies and increasing the availability of healthy foods.

Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on Senate Bill 48:

“I am pleased to see that this jobs bill passed with bipartisan support as it will directly benefit many hard-working Coloradans. By empowering Colorado’s small farms and small-business entrepreneurs, this bill will create jobs, strengthen the economy, and promote tourism in our local communities.”

President Shaffer and Minority Leader Cadman introduce bipartisan resolution to bring patent office to Colorado

“It is our responsibility to make it easier to convert Colorado ingenuity into Colorado jobs”

DENVER –Today, Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs) introduced a bipartisan joint resolution asking that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office bring a satellite office to Colorado. 

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is currently gathering information on potential locations for future patent offices, which the USPTO has been directed to establish under Section 23 of the “Leahy-Smith America Invents Act”. 

The resolution introduced today by Shaffer and Cadman cites Colorado’s educational and technological resources (Full text Below)

President Shaffer offered the following comment on the resolution introduced today: 

"From the advanced halls of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to workbenches across this industrious state, Coloradans have always had the spark of invention. It is our responsibility to make it easier to convert Colorado ingenuity into Colorado jobs. With that in mind, Senator Cadman and I have brought this resolution in support of bringing federal patent office here to our state, both to create jobs in the short term, and to make it easier for Colorado to continue to build on its legacy as a place of creativity and invention."

Minority Leader Cadman offered the following comment on the resolution introduced today:

 "Colorado is home to a large number of tech companies and institutions of higher education focused on innovation and technology. This is why it is no surprise that we are 11th in the nation for patents.  Colorado seems like a natural fit for a United States Patent and Trademark Office.”

President Shaffer Honors America’s Military at the Capitol Today

“We can never forget, nor can we ever repay, their service to our country.”

DENVER—Today, Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) gave a speech in honor of the country’s courageous men and women serving in our armed forces for Military Appreciation Day. President Shaffer is a Navy veteran who was twice decorated for his work as a Navigator and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer aboard the U.S.S. Hewitt. The President’s speech today focused on the importance of our continued support and appreciation for the sacrifices made by American men and women in uniform.