Colorado Legislative Update

The Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce recently released a press release outlining which legislative actions to look out for. From bills concerning minimum wage to gender identity discrimination, below is a comprehensive list of bills to follow.

Bills in Process: 
HB21-1168 Historically Underutilized Businesses Local Government Procurement
This legislation requires local government to track and report on contracts issued with Historically Underutilized Businesses, including LGBT-owned entities.

HB21-1108 Gender Identity Expression Anti-Discrimination – Sent to Governor 5/6
This bill updates Colorado Anti-Discrimination statutes to include gender expression and gender identity.

SB21-039 Elimination of Sub-minimum Wage Employment
This bill phases out permits issued by the US Department of Labor which allows employers to pay sub-minimum wages to employees whose capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental disability, or injury.

HB21-1212 Diversity of Governor’s Appointments to Boards
This bill requires the Governor to appoint members of diverse groups to statewide boards, task forces, commissions, and committees.

Bills Passed: 

SB21-001 Covid-19 Relief Programs for Small Businesses
Provides program updates and clarifications for rules related to Covid-19 funding for Small Business

SB21-111 Program to Support Marijuana Entrepreneurs
This legislation creates a social equity grant program utilizing $4 million of Marijuana tax dollars to promote the participation of historically disadvantaged groups in the marijuana industry.

SB21-026 Restoration of Honor Act
This bill reinstates positive military states to those who were previously discharged due to LGBT status. Note: HB21-1065 seeks to provide preferential hiring practices for Veterans. The passage of SB21-026 extends this benefit to LGBT individuals.

SB21-130 Local Authority for Business Personal Property Tax Exemption
This bill allows local governments to exempt up to 100% of business personal property taxation for the 2021 property tax year.

HB21-1124 Expand Ability to Conduct Business Electronically
This legislation expands a business’s ability to conduct business electronically by defining terms controlling electronic processing of contract delivery and execution, legal notices, and shareholder’s meetings.

The Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce will be holding a virtual Government Affairs meeting, which will be open to the public, this Friday, May 14, at 12:00 p.m. MST. To attend, register here.

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