The Greater Arvada Chamber is dedicated to fostering a healthy business environment through the promotion of business-friendly policies at the local, regional and state-level. By connecting business to regulatory issues, advocating for pro-business legislation, and streamlining processes, the Chamber aims to protect and enhance the interests of local businesses. The Colorado legislative session is over halfway through, with the final date of session being May 7, 2025. The Chamber’s Advocacy KAPS has been busy this session reviewing and recommending positions on some key pieces of legislation on the business environment, talent, housing, and childcare.
The Chamber’s 2025 Policy Pillars are designed to set the general tone and clarity for legislative and policy discussions that impact businesses within the region at the state and local levels. The Chamber is watching the progress of key legislation on construction defects in the session this year, as well as some additional legislation that could significantly impact the local business environment.
Bills We are Watching
SB25-005: Worker Protection Collective Bargaining
Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose
This bill 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 required to deduct negotiating fees from all covered employees’ paychecks. This bill removes that requirement allowing union security clauses to be negotiated directly after unionization. This bill would also reduce the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s budget, reflecting decreased administrative duties.
As of March 31, 2025, this bill was assigned to the Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology and passed 4-3 to advance SB25-005 to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed this bill 4-1 to advance it to the Senate floor. This then passed its third reading in the Senate and was assigned to the Housing Committee on Business Affairs & Labor, where committee members voted 7-5 in support of advancing this bill. This bill now sits in the House Appropriations Committee awaiting a vote. This hearing is not currently scheduled.
Why Are We Watching? By removing the second election process, this bill would make it easier for employees to form unions. Additionally, it would require employees to pay union fees through automatic paycheck deductions, even if an employee opposed joining the union. This would have a significant impact on all businesses, regardless of size or industry, and their workforce’s process to form a union.
HB25-1186: Work-Based Learning Experiences in Higher Education
Arvada Chamber Position: Support
This bill seeks to expand work-based learning experiences by proposing a three-year Work-Based Learning Consortium Pilot Program within the Department of Higher Education to expand work-based learning experiences in higher education. The program aims to enhance the integration of these experiences for students statewide. At the end of the pilot, the consortium must submit a report to the education committee of both legislative chambers, detailing its findings, recommendations, and the program’s impact on participating institutions, students, faculty, and employers.
As of March 31, 2025, this bill was assigned to the House Education Committee, who voted to advance this bill 12-1 to the House Appropriations Committee where it is awaiting a vote. This review is not currently scheduled.
Why Are We Watching? This bill would expand access to work-based learning opportunities for employers, students, faculty, and higher education institutions. Many local employers have successfully used these opportunities to train and hire future talent with the necessary skills needed in their industry. Statewide expansion can strengthen partnerships among employers and education, helping them build a skilled workforce.
HB25-1239: Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
Arvada Chamber Position: Amend
This bill proposes changes to the Colorado Anit-Discrimination Act (CADA), extending the deadline for filing discrimination charges related to public accommodations or discriminatory advertising from 60 days to one year. It also consolidates and expands available remedies, allowing for actual monetary damages, attorney fees and costs, noneconomic damages up to $50,000, and a $5,000 statutory fine per violation. Additionally small businesses may qualify for a 50% reduction in noneconomic damage awards if they correct the violation within 30 days and did not act knowingly or intentionally.
As of March 31, 2025, this bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, where the committee voted to advance the bill 7-4 to the House Appropriation Committee. The House Appropriations Committee reviewed the bill and voted to advance the bill to the House in a 7-3 vote. This bill was reviewed by the House and has passed its third House Reading.
Why Are We Watching? This bill allows for some business-friendly solutions to addressing Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act violations, particularly for small businesses who seek to remedy this violation. The Chamber supports exploring additional opportunities to expand on the business-friendly solutions and remedy options to apply to businesses in accordance with the Act.
HB25-1286: Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures
Arvada Chamber Position: Oppose
This bill requires employers to implement various protections for workers who are exposed to extreme temperatures at their worksite, including any temperature below 30 degrees or above 90 degrees fahrenheit. These protections include vague guidelines around rest breaks, temperature mitigation measures, and temperature injury and illness prevention plans.
As of March 31, 2025, this bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee for its first review. The Business Affairs & Labor House Committee reviewed the bill on 3.27 and voted unanimously (12-0) to postpone this bill indefinitely.
Why Are We Watching? This bill would have increased employer responsibilities to implement protections for employees exposed to temperatures typical of Colorado’s seasons. However, the bill included numerous vague safety guidelines that would be impossible for employers to interpret and implement, increasing the risk of litigation. These requirements would have affected businesses of all sizes and industries and led to a harmful business environment.
HB25-1269: Building Decarbonization Measures
Arvada Chamber Position: Amend
This bill updates energy benchmarking and performance standards for certain building owners, requiring compliance with 2040 performance standards set by the Air Quality Control Commission. It allows alternative compliance options and aligns civil penalties with other air quality violations. Additionally, this bill establishes a Building Decarbonization Enterprise, funded through an annual fee on covered building owners, to provide financial, technical, and programmatic support. Local governments adopting an approved wildfire resiliency code are exempt from the energy code adoption requirement.
As of March 31, 2025, this bill was introduced in the House and assigned to the House Energy & Environment Committee. The Energy & Environment Committee voted 9-4 to advance this bill to the House Committee on Finance for review. The House Finance Committee reviewed the bill on 3/27 and voted 7-6 to advance this bill to the Appropriations Committee. This review is not currently scheduled.
Why Are We Watching? This bill aims to find a compromise between the needs of building owners, businesses, and regulatory requirements. It includes provisions designed with building owners and businesses in mind, such as an extended timeline to meet the 2040 performance standards. However, the Chamber remains cautious about the potential financial and regulatory impact on businesses and encourages further compromises to better support building owners and businesses.
Learn more about legislation the Greater Arvada Chamber is tracking through our Bill Tracker. This tool includes updated bills and positions from the Chamber on key pieces of Colorado legislation that can impact the business environment, workforce, housing access, childcare capacity, and crime and safety.
Please join the Advocacy Network to continue to stay informed on the 2025 Colorado legislative session. As a part of the Advocacy Network, you can learn about progress of key legislation, opportunities to testify on key bills, and upcoming Advocacy Network events. If you are interested in testifying for any key legislation, please contact tess@arvadachamber.org to learn more about the state testimony process and opportunities.
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