The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is proud to belong to the Jefferson County Business Lobby (JCBL) which brings together Jefferson County chambers, business associations and the Jeffco EDC to promote a pro-business agenda for our region. Through this collective impact approach, we are able to tell the story of our businesses in a bigger way.
Our 2019 focus areas include:
Increased Transportation Funding
Despite a $9 billion backlog of road projects statewide, voters in 2018 soundly defeated two ballot questions seeking more funding for roads. With the issue back in the hands of the Colorado legislature, the JCBL will continue to encourage the legislature to prioritize transportation needs in the existing budget in addition to finding new sources of revenue.
Changes to the Gallagher Amendment
Approved by the voters in 1982, the “Gallagher Amendment” to the Colorado Constitution has resulted in some of the nation’s most punitive Business Personal Property Taxes. A legislative summer interim committee recommended a number of proposed changes that the JCBL is reviewing.
Sales Tax Simplification
The JCBL has been supporting an incremental and bipartisan approach to addressing Colorado’s complex and burdensome state and local sales tax collection system. A recent emergency rule proposed by the Colorado Department of Revenue to change sourcing rules for sales taxes has made this already difficult issue even more urgent.
Mitigating the Impact of Employer Mandates
The JCBL anticipates seeing more mandates and liability imposed on employers in 2019. In situations in which defeating new mandates will not be possible, we will work to ensure businesses can comply with minimal cost and disruption.