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.

Senator Hudak introduces the HIRE Colorado Act as the legislative session begins today

“Putting Coloradans back to work first”

DENVER—Today, Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminter) introduced Senate Bill 1, the “HIRE Colrorado Act” during the opening day of the Colorado General Assembly’s 2012 legislative session. The HIRE Colorado Act is designed to create jobs for Coloradans by giving preference to companies seeking state contracts when those companies agree to employ mostly Colorado workers. This bill is a key component in 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.

Senator Hudak offered the following comment on the HIRE Colorado Act today:

“It’s imperative that our first priority be to ensure that our taxpayers’ dollars are staying in Colorado, that our resources are benefiting our citizens, and that we are putting Coloradans back to work first.  I’m proud to be carrying this legislation on behalf of my constituents, and people all across the state.”

Senate Majority introduces first bills of the “Colorado Works" jobs package today

New Legislation designed to boost economy, create jobs

DENVER—Today, the Colorado State Senate convened for the opening day of the second regular session of the 68^th General Assembly.  The opening day proceedings were marked by the introduction of the first bills in the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works” jobs package. 

The Colorado Works jobs package is a collection of bills designed to generate jobs, attract new industry and continue growing Colorado’s economy. The Senate Democrats introduced six of these measures today, with more to be introduced throughout the session.

Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) offered the following comment on the Colorado Works job package today:

“This session, Democrats will continue to focus on promoting our economy, supporting businesses, and putting people back to work.  The bills in the Colorado Works jobs package are an innovative set of measures that will empower Coloradans, and keep our state business friendly.  We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and the House, and with the Governor, to pass this jobs package so that families across the state can start benefiting.”

The first bill in the Senate Majority’s jobs package, as well as the first Senate bill of the legislative session, is the “HIRE Colorado Act.”  Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminister), is designed to create jobs for Coloradans by giving preference to companies that agree to hire mostly Colorado workers to perform state contracts.

Below are the first six bills of the Colorado Works jobs package introduced today:

Bills from the Colorado Senate Majority’s 2012 Colorado Works Jobs Package introduced today:

Senate President Brandon Shaffer offers opening day remarks, pledges to continue focus on strengthening Colorado’s economy

“It’s our duty, our mission, to do everything in our power to revitalize the engine of Colorado’s economy”

DENVER—Today, the Colorado State Senate convened for the first time in 2012, marking the opening day of the second regular session of the 68th General Assembly.  Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) presided over the session and delivered an emotional speech focused on job creation and continued economic growth.

“At a time when so many Coloradans are out of work, or working harder for less, or struggling to give their kids the basic ingredients to succeed in life, it’s our duty, our mission, to do everything in our power  to revitalize the engine of Colorado’s economy. We must create new jobs, and better jobs, for our fellow Coloradans,” said the Senate President. “In the next 17 weeks we will introduce the 2012 Colorado Works Jobs Package.  It will reduce regulation on small business, enhance the business climate for Colorado, and promote job creation throughout our state.“

The President also emphasized the necessity of bipartisanship, and the importance of working with all facets of government to ensure the success of the legislative session.

“You may have two years to accomplish your goals, or eight, but my message to you is the same:  time is too short to waste in partisan battles … in petty politics … in small skirmishes,” he said.

Senator Gail Schwartz unveils job creation package of bills for 2012

Today-State Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) released her 2012 job package. The bills are summarized below and are featured as part of the “Colorado Works” job package that the Colorado Senate Democrats recently unveiled for the upcoming session.  Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on the bills:

“I look forward to working with all of my colleagues, regardless of party, to build upon progress made over the past session.  We must focus on legislation to strengthen Colorado’s economy, protect our state’s natural resources, and improve access to quality education and healthcare in our rural communities.”

Below is a summarization of Senator Schwartz’s bills:

Statement from Senate President Brandon Shaffer on December Revenue Projections

DENVER— Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and state leaders received positive news today regarding projected state revenues. State economists presented quarterly revenue projections that demonstrate Colorado’s economy is continuing to improve.
 
President Shaffer offered the following comment on today’s revenue announcement:
 
“It’s encouraging to see Colorado’s economy continue to improve, but we need to keep working to create jobs and strengthen the economy. When the legislative session opens in January, we plan to introduce the ‘Colorado Works’ jobs package, a series of bills designed to put more Coloradans back to work and spur economic growth. We look forward to working with our Republican colleagues to pass legislation to help speed Colorado to economic recovery.”