COLUMN: More housing options can help small businesses succeed and Colorado’s economy thrive.
March 21, 2023 | CSP News, Financial Security, Small Business
As housing prices and cost of rent continues to soar throughout Colorado, so does the strain on our small businesses.
Source: Jeffco Transcript
Poll: 81% of Coloradans want to end hospital ‘facility fees’ outside campus
February 22, 2023 | Affordable Health Care
A new poll from Strategies360, commissioned by Centennial State Prosperity, showed a whopping 81% of Coloradans support doing away with facility fees outside of the hospital’s campus.
Source: Fox 31
Sen. Winter: My health scare reminded me that all Coloradans deserve the care I received
September 10, 2022 | 2022 Legislative Session, Affordable Health Care, Coloradan's Stories
As a state lawmaker, it feels strange to experience the results of legislation you’ve passed firsthand. Last session I championed a bill — House Bill 22-1370 — which makes life saving prescription drugs and health care, like the kind I now depend on, more affordable and dependable.
Source: The Colorado Sun
More Colorado Children Getting Preventive Health Care
September 10, 2022 | Affordable Health Care
The percentage of Colorado children in their first 15 months receiving preventive medical and behavioral health services rose by 23% from 2013 levels, and stayed constant during the COVID public-health emergency - according to new data released by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care.
Source: Public News Service
Driving a decade of progress, Hispanic students made huge gains in high school graduation
September 10, 2022 | Coloradan's Stories, Education, Financial Security
Hispanic graduation rates rose dramatically for multiple reasons, including new school strategies, improved economic conditions, and the fierce determination of families. Still, Hispanic graduation and college completion rates lag behind those of white students. And with the pandemic exacting a high cost on Hispanic families’ welfare, many worry it will also chip away at recent gains in education.
Source: Chalkbeat Colorado
Colorado businesses have a hiring problem. Leaders are turning to older workers, immigrants as solutions
September 10, 2022 | Coloradan's Stories, Financial Security, Small Business, Workforce Development
“If you don’t come up with reasonable immigration reform and reasonable policies, you’re denying the talent pool that can help your company and help your community,” Lewis said. “And it just brings a real strength to the company to have different age groups, different ethnicities, different backgrounds.”
Source: The Denver Post
What’s Working: Colorado’s economic data shows a robust recovery. Coloradans, however, are uneasy.
September 10, 2022 | Financial Security
In its latest report, 88% of 2,985 Coloradans surveyed feel the rising cost of living is an “extremely serious” or “very serious problem.” Two years ago, 63% felt that way. Blame higher housing costs, but that’s been a growing concern in each of the survey’s three years. This year, Pulse asked about the tradeoffs Coloradans make to keep up with the increase in rent or mortgages.
Source: The Colorado Sun
What’s Working: Here’s how Colorado plans to dole out $104.7 million to small businesses
September 10, 2022 | Coloradan's Stories, Financial Security, Small Business, Workforce Development
“(This) is going to provide venture capital to entrepreneurs and startups, provide working capital to small firms to meet payroll as they’re growing … and for overall general lending to small businesses. Over 10 years, this could create and I hope it will create over 11,000 jobs in Colorado alone, and not just create but retain them.”
Source: The Denver Post
After Colorado enacted a salary transparency law, job listings dropped—but employment went up
September 10, 2022 | Consumer Protection, Financial Security, Worker Protections, Workforce Development
Early data suggests more people want to find work in Colorado now that employers are required to list salary ranges on job postings.
Source: CNBC
Student debt, equity and work experience are in the lesson plan at the Colorado Department of Higher Education this year
September 10, 2022 | Education
The state’s Department of Higher Education — a coordinating body for Colorado’s higher education institutions, not a governing one — released its annual report last month. It highlighted issues Colorado’s universities addressed, like food insecurity, loan forgiveness and non-traditional-student programs.
Source: CPR News
FDA approves over-the-counter hearing aids
September 10, 2022 | Affordable Health Care
“Over-the-counter hearing aids really promotes and ensures that people with minor hearing loss have access to affordable, obtainable hearing devices,” said Frazee.
Source: FOX 21 News
Price transparency enforcement starts next week for Colorado hospitals
September 10, 2022 | Affordable Health Care, Consumer Protection
Federal law requires hospitals to post procedure prices on a public website to increase transparency and allow patients to compare costs between hospitals. Under Colorado’s new law, patients who believe a hospital was not in compliance with federal law can sue to have their debt forgiven and other fees covered.
Source: The Gazette