The Colorado General Assembly wrapped up its 2026 session, and as always, there was no shortage of action affecting our business community. From a billion-dollar state budget shortfall to new labor rules and energy policy debates, this was a session that demanded close attention and we were paying it.
Jordan Sanchez in her role as the Chamber’s first ever lobbyist at the Capitol tracked, analyzed, and engaged on legislation that impacts Longmont businesses throughout the session. That investment paid off this year. I’m especially proud to share that the Chamber actively contributed with Jordan’s guidance, to the defeat of HB26-1012, a consumer pricing bill that would have created significant new compliance burdens and liability exposure for local merchants. Through direct testimony and engagement with our legislative delegation, we helped stop that bill in its tracks.
For the full picture of what happened at the Capitol this session, including key bills on energy affordability, housing, labor, technology regulation, and the state’s ongoing structural budget challenges, I encourage you to read the complete 2026 End of Session Report from Sanchez Policy Works.
Closer to Home: Policy at the Local Level
The Capitol isn’t the only place where decisions are being made that affect our community. The Chamber has been active at the local level too.
We recently co-hosted a Planning and Permitting Listening Tour alongside the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) and Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP). Assistant City Manager Jenn Ooton joined us for a candid conversation about how the City’s planning and permitting processes are working and where business leaders said there’s room to improve. The room included business owners from the contracting and construction trades, whose day-to-day work puts them at the center of these processes. It was a productive session, and we’re grateful to Jenn and the City for their openness to that dialogue.
Coming up on June 5, Jennifer Hewett-Apperson will be discussing the Sugar Mill rezoning always a hot topic in Longmont. If you have thoughts or questions about what this area could mean for Longmont, attend the Public Policy Committee meeting on June 5. Non Committee members are kindly requested to RSVP here.
A Full Policy Agenda This Summer and Fall
Our Policy Committee has a packed schedule ahead. Topics in the schedule include:
- Front Range Passenger Rail: Colorado took steps this session to expand the Front Range Passenger Rail District, and there’s much more to come on what regional rail could mean for Longmont’s connectivity and economy.
- Front Range Community College Permanent Campus Plans: FRCC’s future footprint in our community is a major issue for workforce development and we’ll be digging in.
- Early Childhood Care: Access and affordability remain critical concerns for working families and employers alike.
Colorado was recently ranked 3rd in the nation for cost of living, according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. That’s a real challenge for business owners and employees alike. The Longmont Chamber is responding by increasing our investment in advocacy work. If you have questions about the Chamber’s policy positions and/or upcoming policy topics, feel free to reach out.
