On Wednesday, January 8th, 35 members of the Colorado Senate and 65 members of the Colorado House began gathering at the State Capitol in Denver to begin 120 days of policymaking.
From January until May, the Colorado General Assembly (our combined senate and house representatives) will be buzzing with activity as lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills, many of which will become our future laws and budgets that directly impact your business, from funding for future support programs to regulations that dictate how you operate.
So why should you care? Well, this annual session is your chance to stay informed, engaged, and ready to take action. The bills and budget passed during these months directly affect your business, from funding for support programs to regulations shaping how you operate.
Here’s what you can expect —and how you can make your voice heard.
What Entrepreneurs Can Expect This Session
This year things are a bit tense. With a significant $700 million budget deficit looming due to TABOR restrictions, expiring federal funds like ARPA, increased Medicaid/Medicare costs, tough decisions lie ahead.
As a result, new spending proposals will face intense scrutiny, and even longstanding programs may be reduced or cut. Programs that support entrepreneurs, like business funding or training initiatives, could be on the line. While this year’s deficit feels immediate, it’s part of longer-term budget challenges Colorado has been grappling with for years.
At RMMFI, we’re keeping a close eye on several key areas that could significantly impact you and other entrepreneurs:
- Protections Against Predatory Lending: Safeguarding access to fair and transparent financing options for you and your business.
- Support for Small Businesses: Advocating for structures that make it easier for businesses like yours to thrive, especially in retail and food industries.
- Language Accessibility: Encouraging state programs to expand resources beyond English so more entrepreneurs can access the support they need.
- Healthcare Access: Promoting affordable healthcare options to make entrepreneurship viable for everyone.
“As small business owners, we have such a great impact
on what is happening legislatively in our state.”
– RMMFI Entrepreneur
How 2025 Policy May Impact Colorado Entrepreneurs
The decisions made during the General Assembly will shape the environment in which you operate and grow your business. Here’s how you could be impacted:
- Business Operations: Policies regulating lending practices, retail spaces, and food service licensing directly impact how you run your business.
- Access to Resources: Tight budgets could jeopardize grants, training programs, and other supports you rely on to succeed.
- Equity and Inclusion: Initiatives promoting multilingual resources and accessible healthcare make entrepreneurship more viable for underrepresented communities.
- Economic Resilience: Small businesses are essential to building stronger, more inclusive communities. As an entrepreneur, your voice can share policies that promote economic resilience and benefit all entrepreneurs.
“We should take an active role [in legislation] as business
owners and people in the community.”
– RMMFI Entrepreneur
How You Can Make Your Voice Heard in 2025!
Ready to influence policies and advocate for your business? Getting involved in the legislative process is simpler than you may think!
Here are specific steps you can take:
1. Share Your Voice With RMMFI
RMMFI wants to hear about the challenges you’re facing as an entrepreneur. Whether you’ve encountered barriers to funding, regulations, or other issues, sharing your experience helps us understand common challenges and advocate for change. Interested in following specific policies or advocating for change? Let us know, and we can help you build a plan of action as a community leader.
2. Engage Directly with Legislators
Your representatives are the ones crafting the laws that shape your business environment. Here’s how to connect with them:
- Find out who your state representatives are here.
- Share testimony on bills you care about: Sign up here to testify on bills that impact you via Zoom, in person, or in writing. Need help crafting or practicing your testimony? RMMFI or other organizations are here to support you.
3. Get Involved with Advocacy Organizations
Nonprofits and advocacy organizations often focus on policies affecting entrepreneurs.
- Watch RMMFI’s Colorado Connects video series this session to learn about advocacy partners who support entrepreneurs and communities like yours.
- Follow industry groups and local or identity-based Chambers of Commerce that align with your business interests to stay informed through newsletters, social media, or text campaigns.
4. Participate in a Day of Action
- Entrepreneur Day of Action (February 26): Join RMMFI’s annual event at the State Capitol! This event includes advocacy training, small group meetings with legislators, committee hearings, and guest speakers. Breakfast, lunch, travel stipends for out-of-town entrepreneurs, and Spanish-language translation provided. Learn more and sign up here.
- Women’s Advocacy Day (March 12): Hosted by The Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Get more info here.
- Healthcare Day of Action (March 13): Hosted by Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. Get more info here.
- Speak Up for Kids 2025 (April 2): Hosted by the Colorado Children’s Campaign. Get more info here.
“It was really cool to feel like my voice actually mattered.
When I talked to my state representative,
she cared about what I had to say.”
– RMMFI Entrepreneur
Your Voice Matters
This legislative session will influence Colorado’s small business ecosystem, and your insights are invaluable in shaping policies that foster innovation, inclusivity, and economic growth. Let’s seize this opportunity to engage, advocate, and ensure your voice is heard! Together, we can build a stronger future for Colorado entrepreneurs.
Check out these additional resources to learn more!
- A Citizens’ Guide to Lawmaking and Lobbying in Colorado by The Colorado Sun. What to know about visiting the Colorado Capitol, contacting your lawmaker, and getting involved.
- Democracy Decoded Webinar by The Alliance for Collective Action: Learn how to navigate the Capitol, sign up to testify, and understand the process.
- Community Testimony Guide by Colorado Center on Law and Policy: Discover how to tell your story and influence change in Colorado’s legislative process.
To see examples of entrepreneurs in action, check out RMMFI’s Inclusive Small Biz Roundtable or the Entrepreneur Day of Action from last spring.
