Small Business

Bi-Partisan Vote Kills HB23-1118, Fair Workweek Employment Standards

Last Thursday, the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee voted 8-2 to postpone indefinitely HB23-1118, which would have created litigation traps for employers, and created scheduling requirements, fines, and minimum weekly pay for workers in certain industries. Legislators cited the “hundreds” of emails they received, nearly all of them urging a “no” vote. Your business community came together and advocated a a single voice.  Hearing testimony from affected businesses and employee...

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Last Economic Tracker Update of 2022

It’s time again for our monthly update to the Economic Tracker. Your Fort Collins Area Chamber, working with other economic development and business support organizations across the region created a tool to track the economic recovery in Northern Colorado. This valuable resource is a set of indicators that represent critical aspects of the Larimer and Weld County economies, is based on data that is accessible in a useable format and is updated frequently with little lag time. The Economic Tr...

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Monthly Economic Tracker Update

It’s time again for our monthly update to the Economic Tracker. Your Fort Collins Area Chamber, working with other economic development and business support organizations across the region created a tool to track the economic recovery in Northern Colorado. This valuable resource is a set of indicators that represent critical aspects of the Larimer and Weld County economies, is based on data that is accessible in a useable format and is updated frequently with little lag time. The Economic Tra...

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How Will Your Organization Be Affected By A Local Minimum Wage?

The Fort Collins City Council is continuing the process of establishing a local minimum wage (LMW) that potentially impacts every employer operating within the city.

City Council will consider, on Tuesday, November 15, three options regarding the implementation of a Local Minimum Wage.

Option 1: Goal of $19/hour

2023 – $13.65 (estimated Colorado Minimum Wage based on inflation)

2024 – $15.15

2025 – $16.90

2026 – $18.50

2027 – Plus CPI (Consumer Price Index; min. ...

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Tracking Impact of the Pandemic and Recession on Northern Colorado

It’s time again for our monthly update to the Economic Tracker. Your Fort Collins Area Chamber, working with other economic development and business support organizations across the region created a tool to track the economic recovery in Northern Colorado. This valuable resource is a set of indicators that represent critical aspects of the Larimer and Weld County economies, is based on data that is accessible in a useable format and is updated frequently with little lag time. The Economic Trac...

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Small Businesses Succeed with GRIT, Adaptability and Heart

We hosted our final event of Small Business September this morning and were thrilled to have 150 people join us at The Lyric to be inspired.  Guests had the opportunity to hear from CSU Football Coach Jay Norvell, CSU Women's Volleyball Coach Tom Hilbert, CSU Dean of the Business School Beth Walker and Julie Weber, former Vice President and Chief People Officer at Southwest Airlines.  As I reflect on the comments shared by each of our speakers (especially as I put back on my small business ow...

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Local Minimum Wage: Business Voice Needed Tonight

Last week I shared with our members the possibility that this City Council will pass before the end of the year a local minimum wage of $19/hour by 2026 with escalations of 5-15% each year until we hit $19 and regular updates after.  I encourage the business community to review that blog and to activate your voice with community decision makers.  As I speak with business owners of all sizes, the common refrain is that you are unable to find the talent you need (even though you are already inc...

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Chamber Positions on 2022 Municipal Ballot Items

Fort Collins City Council has placed three items on the November 8, 2022 ballot: Moving the municipal election cycle to November of odd-numbered years; Increasing Council compensation; and Ranked Choice Voting. All three issues would change our City Charter.

After in-depth review by staff, the Local Legislative Affairs Committee (LLAC) and the Board, the Fort Collins Area Chamber has elected to take NO POSITION on changing the election cycle and compensation as the impact to business is co...

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Your Chamber In Full Fall Mode

Happy September!  While the weather this week doesn’t feel very “fallish” your Chamber is in full Fall mode.  A couple of highlights to check out:

The Fort Collins Area Chamber is declaring this month Small Business September! We invite everyone to join the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and our community partners during the entire month of September for in-person events and on social media as we celebrate the impact small business has on Northern Colorado.  This month of ce...

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Thanks and Happy New Year!

I can’t believe that 2021 is almost over.  As I look back on this last year, and my first as President & CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber, I am blown away by the talents and investments that community members will make into our organization.  I have been humbled and honored to serve in this role the last year – mostly because of the people that I get to work with on a daily basis.  Today’s blog is a bit of a thank you letter to the many people who make our community what it is.
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