Helping businesses cut red tape, costs

RBC I The Colorado Senate Republicans will conduct six regional business roundtables across Colorado beginning July 28 to collect new ideas for cutting red tape and compliance costs for Colorado employers. “Everyone seems to agree that the regulatory climate for business and industry are one of the major factors affecting job creation and economic recovery,” said Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp. “We are planning a series of in-depth conversations with employers to collect new ideas for reducing business costs and boosting the Colorado economy.” The first program will be in Colorado Springs on July 28, followed by programs in Greeley, Rifle, La Junta and Montrose, with the final roundtable in Littleton on Sept. 12. These regional meetings are a follow-up to a roundtable held in Denver last January involving more than 20 business groups, including the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business. “Colorado has lost private sector jobs over the last decade and the forecast for 2012 and 2013 is not rosy,” said Kopp. “We need to improve Colorado’s regulatory climate and that work needs to begin immediately.” “Last week’s publication by the state Human Services Department of ludicrous new rules for child care providers is only one example of an out-of-control regulatory system,” said Kopp. “Regulatory reform is not about the oil and gas industry or any single sector of the economy; it’s about an attitude among regulators that jobs don’t matter.” Each regional roundtable will be convened by a Republican senator in cooperation with local business associations and will be limited to 20-25 business leaders. The opening session on July 28 will be hosted by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. You can follow these meetings by visiting www.ColoradoSenateNews.com.