This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours' final in-session episode before the the Colorado legislative session comes to a close, we break down legislation tied to a proposed ballot initiative that would reshape how Colorado funds transportation infrastructure.

House Bill 1430 would temporarily reduce fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees and other transportation related charges if voters approve Initiative 175 this fall. The legislation is intended to offset increased transportation funding caused by the ballot measure to limit potential funding reductions to other state programs.

Rep. Andy Boesenecker (D-53), a sponsor of the bill, explains why he believes transportation funding increases should be delayed until state revenue grows and other critical programs are funded. Tony Milo, president and CEO of the Colorado Contractors Association, outlines concerns that the legislation could undermine voter efforts to prioritize long-term transportation funding.

Tune in for a conversation on state budgeting priorities and how Colorado should fund its roads and infrastructure in the years ahead.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we take a closer look at legislation aimed at addressing the use of artificial intelligence and reducing potential adverse outcomes for consumers.

The bill would establish disclosure requirements for AI systems that use personal data to make consequential decisions like loan eligibility, insurance pricing or purchasing a home. It would also give consumers the ability to request a human review or reconsideration if an AI decision causes an adverse outcome.

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, a sponsor of the bill, outlines the background behind the proposal and how stakeholders worked to compromise. Liz Peets, vice president of government and community affairs for Comcast, shares a business perspective on how the legislation could impact Colorado companies.

Tune in to hear how Colorado is approaching the regulation of a rapidly evolving technology.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we sit down with personal injury attorney Kyle Bachus to break down legislation aimed at restricting nonlawyer involvement in the legal industry.

Advanced by an unlikely partnership between the Colorado Chamber and the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, House Bill 1421 would prohibit nonlawyers from entering into financial arrangements that allow them to profit from legal services, including investments in law firms and certain fee-sharing agreements.

Bachus discusses the intent behind the legislation and the potential implications of these changes for law firms and the state's legal landscape.

Host Ed Sealover then outlines the broader implications of the legislation for Colorado businesses.

Tune in for a conversation on legal ethics, industry structure and what this proposal could mean for the future of the legal industry in Colorado.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover explores several bills aimed at increasing the affordability and availability of housing in the state, which currently faces a shortage of over 106,000 homes.

Ted Leighty, CEO of the Colorado Association of Homebuilders, breaks down the reasons behind the state’s housing shortage and outlines how minimum lot sizes can affect a housing market. He then explains how the legislation will affect the market, help increase the density of Colorado’s housing supply and lower costs.

Sen. Janice Rich (R-HD 55) offers a different perspective, sharing why she believes the decisions around land use and housing development should be up to local governments.

Tune in for a discussion on the balance between state and local control and what the proposals could mean for Colorado's housing market.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we are breaking down a proposal aimed at streamlining Colorado's workforce development system.

House Bill 1317 would create a more unified approach to talent development and establish a transition plan to better align the state’s workforce programs with employer needs.

Host Ed Sealover sits down with ​Colorado Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, a sponsor of the bill, to discuss the goals and potential impact of the legislation. He is also joined by Shannon Nichols, SVP of Impact at Colorado Succeeds, to explore how the proposal would strengthen Colorado’s workforce and support economic growth.

Tune in for a breakdown of what Colorado’s current system looks like, how it can be improved and what the bill could mean for the state’s future workforce.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we break down a bill that would make significant changes to Colorado’s arbitration process and that could change key aspects of the state’s legal environment.

House Bill 1236 would prohibit certain provisions in arbitration agreements, establish new requirements for who may serve as an arbitrator and set standards for employer payment of arbitration awards.

Host Ed Sealover sits down with Rep. Yara Zokaie, a sponsor of the bill, who explains why she believes the legislation is necessary to strengthen protections for consumers and workers. He is also joined by Julian Ellis, an arbitration expert and partner at the law firm First and Fourteenth, who discusses concerns about how the proposal could affect the efficiency and effectiveness of arbitration and its role in resolving disputes.

Tune in for a conversation on the role of arbitration, the potential impacts of the legislation and what these changes could mean for Colorado’s legal and business landscape.

Colorado lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at increasing transparency and consistency in the rule review process for state agencies. SB 137 would create more robust standards and criteria for how state agencies review their current regulations, including assessing which rules are outdated, duplicative, cost effective or overly burdensome.

Host Ed Sealover is joined by Colorado Senate President James Coleman, a sponsor of the bill, who explains why the legislation is needed and highlights the importance of a balanced regulatory framework. Steve Swinney, co-founder and CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, shares how regulations have impacted his industry and why businesses support the proposal.

Tune in for a conversation on good governance and the role of balanced regulations for businesses.