Skip to content

Entrepreneur Advocacy and the Passage of HB-1215

Two men stand smiling at a formal event. Entrepreneur Danny Ballesteros on the left holds a framed certificate, while the man on the right holds a small potted plant. They pose for the camera in a room with other attendees and black drapery in the background, basking in their moment of spotlight.

Table of Contents

Join Our Newsletter
Sign up to receive news, updates, and stories about the impact of inclusive entrepreneurship.

Part of what it means for RMMFI to break down barriers and create pathways for entrepreneurs includes encouraging those entrepreneurs to advocate on behalf of themselves and their communities.

On June 17, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 21-1215, an expansion of the Justice Reinvestment Crime Prevention Initiative. The initiative, originally created in 2017, is a community-led program that combines direct service grants aimed at reducing crime and recidivism with small business loans to promote economic development. The updated version adds Grand Junction and Trinidad to the North Aurora and Southeast Colorado Springs pilot sites and creates a new statewide program to provide business and entrepreneurship training to Returning Citizens.

RMMFI is proud to have provided testimony in support of this bill, and we’re even more proud of the advocacy of RMMFI graduate Danny Ballesteros (owner of Quality from Colorado). With the support of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Danny testified in front of both the Colorado House and Senate, sharing his story as an example of what’s possible when inclusive pathways to business ownership exist.

We’re optimistic about the impact this expanded initiative will have, especially with its emphasis on comprehensive training and support in addition to small business loans. Danny often says that he wants to be a positive influence in his community, and he is doing just that by using his experience to promote relevant and accessible opportunities for Returning Citizens across Colorado.

Recent Posts
Text reads "Celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month" with colorful bold text on a peach background featuring circular patterns, highlighting the achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs.
At RMMFI, we’re proud to recognize and celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voices in our community, this month and beyond. This year’s AANHPI Heritage Month theme, A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience, honors the strength, contributions, and enduring impact of AANHPI communities across generations.
The image shows a historic building with a prominent golden dome and a tall flagpole flying the American flag, echoing the spirit of Entrepreneur Day of Action. The structure is surrounded by trees and set against a vivid blue sky with scattered clouds, making voices heard in this vibrant setting.
More than seventy entrepreneurs from across Colorado gathered at the State Capitol for the 2025 Entrepreneur Day of Action, meeting directly with legislators, sharing their experiences, and shaping Colorado policies that impact small businesses.
Jared Polis speaking at the Colorado Day of Action 2024
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