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Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose

This bill expands consumer protection laws by making price gouging on necessities an unfair and unconscionable act, even outside of a declared disaster. It establishes a presumption that increasing the price of a necessity by 10% or more above the average price from the previous 90 days constitutes price gouging.

The bill defines “necessities” broadly as goods or services essential to health, safety, and welfare. This expansion increases regulatory oversight on pricing practices and could impact businesses selling essential goods and services.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Amend

House Bill 25-1090, titled “Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices,” aims to enhance transparency in pricing for consumers in Colorado. The bill mandates that businesses disclose the total price of goods, services, or property upfront, excluding government and shipping charges. It prohibits misrepresentation of pricing information and requires clear disclosure of any additional charges not included in the total price. Specific provisions address landlords, forbidding them from imposing certain undisclosed fees on tenants. Exemptions are provided for food and beverage establishments that transparently disclose mandatory service charges distributed exclusively to non-managerial staff, and for entities compliant with applicable federal pricing transparency laws.

Violations are considered deceptive trade practices, allowing aggrieved individuals to seek civil remedies, including treble damages or statutory damages ranging from $100 to $1,000 per violation. The bill was introduced in the 2025 Regular Session and has progressed through initial legislative stages.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose

House Bill 25-1119 requires businesses operating in Colorado with annual revenues over $1 billion to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. Reporting for direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions begins on January 1, 2028, while reporting for value chain (Scope 3) emissions starts on January 1, 2029. Disclosures must be independently verified by third-party auditors. Noncompliance may result in civil penalties up to $100,000 per day, enforceable by district attorneys or the attorney general.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Support

House Bill 25-1157 proposes to extend the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit in Colorado through December 31, 2031. This credit, previously set to expire on December 31, 2026, offers tax incentives to qualified investors who invest in small businesses within advanced industries. Starting January 1, 2028, the bill expands eligibility to include investments in small manufacturing businesses that are scalable, capital-intensive, and contribute to the local economy by distributing products outside Colorado. Additionally, the bill revises the definitions of “qualified investment” and “qualified investor,” removing certain ownership restrictions and clarifying eligibility criteria. The Colorado Office of Economic Development will continue to administer the credit, with the authority to certify qualified small businesses until October 1, 2031.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose

Colorado House Bill 25-1174, titled the “Support Colorado’s Health-Care Safety Net Act of 2025,” proposes setting reimbursement rates that health insurance carriers can pay healthcare providers for services covered under state employee group benefit plans and small employer group benefit plans. The bill prohibits providers from billing patients for any outstanding balances beyond in-network coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. It also mandates that insurers provide cost and quality of care information to the Commissioner of Insurance or the Director of the Department of Personnel upon request. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting of calculated savings resulting from these reimbursement limits, with specified percentages of the savings allocated to the primary care fund and a newly created expenditure savings cash fund.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Support

Colorado House Bill 25-1199 introduces an alternative property tax payment option for certain taxpayers, effective for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2025. Currently, property taxes must be paid either in full by April 30 or in two equal installments: the first by the last day of February and the second by June 15. This bill proposes a four-installment payment plan for taxpayers who owe more than $25 in property taxes on residential or improved commercial properties and whose taxes are not paid through a mortgage escrow account.

Under the proposed plan, eligible taxpayers can pay their property taxes in four equal installments:

• First installment: due on or before the last day of February
• Second installment: due on or before April 30
• Third installment: due on or before July 15
• Fourth installment: due on or before September 15

To utilize this option, taxpayers must pay at least half of their total property taxes by April 30. They also have the flexibility to pay the full amount at any time before a tax lien sale, including any applicable delinquent interest. County treasurers are required to inform taxpayers about this four-installment option in their tax statements.

If a taxpayer misses the third installment due by July 15, a delinquent interest rate of 1% per month will accrue starting from July 16. Similarly, missing the fourth installment due by September 15 will result in a 1% per month delinquent interest accruing from September 16. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for county treasurers to notify taxpayers of potential tax lien sales from September 1 to October 15, accommodating the new payment schedule.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Support

Colorado House Bill 25-1208 mandates that local governments with minimum wages exceeding the state minimum wage implement a tip offset for food and beverage employees. This offset equals the difference between the local and state minimum wages, plus $3.02. The bill also sets guidelines for adjusting these offsets over time.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Amend

Colorado House Bill 25-1239 proposes modifications to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) by extending the deadline for filing discrimination charges related to public accommodations or discriminatory advertising from 60 days to one year. The bill also consolidates and expands remedies available under CADA, allowing for actual monetary damages, attorney fees and costs, noneconomic damages up to $50,000, and a statutory fine of $5,000 per violation. Additionally, small businesses may receive a 50% reduction in noneconomic damage awards if they correct the violation within 30 days and did not knowingly or intentionally cause it.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose

Senate Bill 25-005 proposes eliminating the requirement for a second election to negotiate a union security agreement clause during collective bargaining. Currently, after employees vote to unionize, a second vote with 75% approval is needed to include a union security clause, which mandates all employees contribute to union costs. This bill removes that second election, allowing union security clauses to be negotiated after the initial unionization vote. The bill also reduces the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s budget by $20,246 for fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting decreased administrative duties.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Support

Senate Bill 25-069 proposes the creation of a permit system managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), allowing authorized individuals or entities to install or remove tire chains or alternative traction devices for a fee at designated locations. The bill aims to enhance safety and efficiency during winter conditions on Colorado highways. CDOT is tasked with establishing rules for permit issuance, including qualifications, safety protocols, and ensuring that no monopolies form at specific locations. Additionally, rental car companies would be required to inform renters about chain law requirements and associated penalties.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Monitor

Senate Bill 25-083, titled “Limitations on Restrictive Employment Agreements,” seeks to modify existing laws regarding non-compete and non-solicitation agreements in Colorado. The bill specifically excludes from the highly compensated worker exemption any non-compete agreements that restrict the practice of medicine, advanced practice registered nursing, or dentistry within the state. Additionally, it prohibits covenants that prevent healthcare providers from informing patients about their continued practice, new contact information, or the patients’ right to choose a medical provider. The bill was introduced in the 2025 Regular Session and is currently assigned to the Business, Labor, & Technology committee.

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Arvada Chamber Position: Monitor

Colorado Senate Bill 25-144 proposes extending paid family and medical leave by up to an additional 12 weeks for parents with children in neonatal intensive care. It also adjusts the premium rate for the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, maintaining the current 0.9% of wages per employee through 2025, reducing it to 0.88% in 2026, and allowing annual adjustments thereafter, capped at 1.2%.