This year’s legislative session has come to an end…again! Although the last day of the 2012 session was May 9th, with the extra three days of the “special session” the legislature officially adjourned this past Wednesday, May 16th. We all welcomed the end of session and the Senate Democrats were proud to look back on our legislative accomplishments focused on Colorado’s economic recovery through a host of jobs bills in our ‘Colorado Works’ initiative.

Along with rural economic development, much of my legislation focused on resource management and environmental stewardship. Many of my jobs bills, such as the “Local Foods, Local Jobs Act,” the “Electronic Recycling Jobs Act,” and the “Forest Health Jobs Resolution” were passed with strong bipartisan support. During the special session, we finally passed my Water Projects Bill, which allocates $61 million in reservoir projects and watershed protection, among other initiatives. Senate District 5 is receiving important funding for local projects – $30M in funding will go toward the rehabilitation of the Rio Grande and Beaver Park Reservoirs. I teamed up with Rep. Pace to pass the Agriculture Land Tax Credit bill, which will help preserve our rural ag. communities and, as the senate sponsor of the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission bill, I worked to protect stakeholder interests and a create a balanced commission for stewardship of our state’s outdoor recreation and natural resources.

During the upcoming summer and fall interim, I will remain busy with interim committees, conferences, community events and town halls throughout Senate District 5. As always, please advise me of local events that I can add to my district tour this summer! Since my district is changing due to last year’s redistricting process, I’ll be touring the eleven counties of my current district along with Eagle County and Lake County, which both join SD5 in 2013. While it will be bittersweet to lose the San Luis Valley counties under the new SD5 map, I have many visits planned for this summer and plan to keep in touch long after the district changes are finalized!

The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act is the first of its kind in the country. The bill creates a loan guarantee program for production activities and will also make Colorado more attractive for movie production by increasing the existing film incentive from a 10 percent rebate for production costs to 20 percent, allowing Colorado to meet or exceed similar programs in other states.  This rebate will apply to production costs for films, television series, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and video game creation.

Senator Newell offered the following comment on the signing of the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act today:

“They said this couldn’t be done, but here we are.  This legislation brought us together as Republicans and Democrats, urban, suburban, and rural to show our solidarity and belief in our dream to recognize and recapture film jobs in Colorado.”

(from right to left) High Noon Entertainment CEO Jim Berger, Senator Linda Newell, COO Duke Hartman, and Senior V.P. of Finance John Hardy

The combination of diverse and scenic landscapes, the availability of experienced film crews, and an existing infrastructure make Colorado a desirable state for film production.  More than 400 films have been filmed in the state, including feature films like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Catch and Release, True Grit and City Slickers. However, incentive programs in other states have lured movie production to other regions in recent years.

The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act works to reverse this trend. The legislation has wide support from film and creative industries all over the state, including the CINEMA (Colorado Innovators of New Entertainment, Media, and Arts) Colorado Coalition. The creative industry is the fifth largest employment sector in the state, and one of the fastest growing in the country.

Donald Zuckerman, Director of the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media offered the following comment on the importance of the HB 1286:

“This bill is so important for Colorado’s content creation industry.  Content creation is one of America’s fastest growing industries and one of its greatest exports.”

Under the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act, an in-state production company’s local expenditures must be at least $100,000 and an out-of-state company must spend at least $1 million to qualify for the performance-based incentive program. In addition, 50 percent of the jobs must be filled by Colorado residents, an increase over the existing 25 percent requirement.

Senators and Representatives are meeting now to create a final transportation bill, and we need your help to protect the funds that the Senate designated for local biking and walking programs.
We are working to preserve the Cardin-Cochran agreement. This agreement was part of the Senate bill passed two months ago with bipartisan support. It allows local governments and school systems to access much-needed funds to make bicycling and walking safer and more accessible, in response to local needs. The agreement does not increase the overall size of the transportation bill, it simply maintains a funding stream that local governments have used for over 20 years to provide their citizens with a variety of safe transportation options.
Funding for bicycling and walking has popular support—a recent Princeton survey found that 83 percent of Americans support federal funds for sidewalks and bike lanes.
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The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act is the first of its kind in the country in that it creates a loan guarantee program for production activities.  The bill will also make Colorado more attractive for movie production by increasing the existing film incentive from a 10 percent rebate for production costs to 20 percent, thereby allowing Colorado to meet or exceed similar programs in other states.  This rebate will apply to production costs for films, television series, commercials, documentaries, music videos, and video game creation.

Senator Newell offered the following comment on the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act today:

“Colorado’s beauty has always made it a desirable state for film production, but other states’ programs have taken away many of those jobs.  The passage of this legislation will bring jobs in thecreative industry back to our state, bring new tourism and travel jobs to the state, and make Colorado a leader in the film industry again.”

The combination of diverse and scenic landscapes, the availability of experienced film crews, and an existing infrastructure make Colorado a desirable state for film production.  More than 400 films have been filmed in the state, including feature films like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Catch and Release, True Grit and City Slickers. However, incentive programs in other states have lured movie production to other regions in recent years.

The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act works to reverse this trend. The legislation has wide support from film and creative industries all over the state, including the CINEMA (Colorado Innovators of New Entertainment, Media, and Arts) Colorado Coalition and a division of Governor John Hickenlooper’sOffice of Economic Development and International Trade. The creative industry is the fifth largest employment sector in the state, and one of the fastest growing in the country.

Donald Zuckerman, Director of the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media offered the following comment on the importance of the Film Jobs Act:

“This bill is so important for Colorado’s content creation industry.  Content creation is one of America’s fastest growing industries and one of its greatest exports.”

Under the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act, an in-state production company’s local expenditures must be at least $100,000 and an out-of-state company must spend at least $1 million to qualify for the performance-based incentive program. In addition, 50 percent of the jobs must be filled by Colorado residents, an increase over the existing 25 percent requirement.

This legislation will now head to the Governor for consideration.

Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on the signing of the Electronic Jobs Act today:

“It’s wonderful that we were able to work across the aisle to get this bill to the Governor’s desk. When we throw our electronics into the landfill, we are throwing out resources and jobs along with them. This legislation is going to create needed new jobs, support our certified recycling industry, reduce excess waste, protect our ground water, and allow us to reuse the valuable materials. This is a great step forward for Colorado.”

The Electronic Recycling Jobs Act will help strengthen local economies by helping waste and recycling businesses expand or create new facilities throughout Colorado. This legislation does not create any additional fees or require any state dollars, and it creates a waiver process for communities that do not have access to electronic recycling. In addition, state agencies will be able to take advantage of existing private national certifications for handling electronic waste.

The Electronic Recycling Jobs Act is a key component in the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works Jobs package,” a series of bills focused on continued job creation and economic growth.

Udall: Protecting Public Lands Helps Drive Colorado’s Economy

Today, Mark Udall announced that he is embarking on a series of collaborative, community-driven discussions about whether to create wilderness and national monument designations in two areas of the state – the Central Mountains (Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties) and Browns Canyon (Chaffee County).  At a press conference Sunday, Udall outlined his plans to get feedback to help shape potential legislation that would support the communities’ interests, protect public lands, and strengthen Colorado jobs and quality of life.

“Wilderness is one of our state’s great economic engines.  Wilderness areas not only give local outdoors enthusiasts beautiful vistas and healthy game, but they also attract visitors and businesses that help the state economy thrive,” Udall said. “Before we do anything, it’s important to me to hear from as many Coloradans as possible about how the land is used today and their vision for the future of these special places.  If we do wilderness in the right way – with a bottom-up rather than top-down approach – protecting public lands will help attract entrepreneurs to our state, create jobs and support the quality of life that makes Colorado the envy of the world.”

To start the process, which has the support of Senator Michael Bennet, Udall is asking Coloradans in those communities and a wide range of interest groups what they would like to see from a wilderness proposal.  His goal is to build on work that has been done previously – including efforts by Representatives Diana DeGette and Jared Polis – and develop a legislative plan that is supported by a majority of the communities affected.  With his position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Udall has an opportunity to further push these community plans toward fruition.

In order to facilitate the conversation with the affected communities, Udall has developed draft maps of possible wilderness boundaries to help start the discussions.  The maps, along with an email comment form, are available on his website: http://markudall.senate.gov/outdoorheritage.  The two proposals are:

• The Central Mountains Outdoor Heritage Act: the process will consider 32 areas in Eagle, Pitkin and Summit counties that total almost 236,000 acres.  These areas include additions to existing wilderness areas including Holy Cross, Eagles Nest and the Maroon Bells.  Udall envisions a bill that promotes the region as a world-class destination for outdoor recreation while protecting other multiple uses.

• The Arkansas River Canyon National Monument and Browns Canyon Wilderness: the process will take a new approach by considering a national monument designation for 20,000 acres of land on both sides of the iconic Arkansas River between Salida and Buena Vista, and creating wilderness for Browns Canyon on the east side of the river.  A national monument designation would draw attention to the area’s world-class river rafting and outdoor recreation opportunities and support Colorado’s local tourism economy.

Outdoor recreation contributes over $10 billion a year to our economy, generating $500 million in state tax revenue and supporting over 100,000 Colorado jobs.  For more background on Udall’s work on wilderness, click HERE.

Please contact Tara Trujillo or Jennifer Talhelm at 202-224-4334

President Shaffer, who is himself a Navy Veteran, offered the following comment on Senate Bill 141 today:

“This legislation will ensure our courageous citizens in the military aren’t being punished for serving their country.  Every American dreams of owning their own home, and we should be doing everything in our power to support our troops and help them buy a house to come home to.”

Under current law, to qualify for certain publicly funded home mortgage loans, such as loans offered by the Federal Veteran’s Administration the borrower has to certify that they will occupy the property within 60 days.  Military personnel deployed overseas may not be able to move into their home until the end of their deployment, which could be longer than 60 days.  Senate Bill 141 will modify the law so that individuals serving their country abroad will still be able to receive a loan to purchase a home.

This legislation will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Carroll offered the following comment on the passage of the Colorado Local Business Database today:

“There is pent-up interest and demand by Colorado consumers to buy from local businesses because they know it brings three times the economic benefit to the state and can help create local jobs.  The creation of a smart-phone app and searchable online database allows customers to search by location or by type of good or service. It provides extremely affordable advertising for local businesses and helps consumers support local businesses in their daily purchasing decisions.”

Senate Bill 143 directs the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to develop the Colorado Local Business Database and Smartphone App for customers who wish to support local businesses.  Business owners will have the option to be listed in the database. There are currently more than 500,000 locally owned businesses in Colorado employing more than $1.6 million residents.  This database will connect these businesses with consumers in their area allowing them to increase their customer base, market their goods and services, and keep money invested in Colorado.

Intrepid Dynamics broker Nathan Hildreth offered the following support for the creation of the Colorado Local Business Database:

“I’ve been a small business owner in Colorado for over a decade, and I believe a database as described in Senator Carroll’s bill is a wise investment for Colorado.  Inviting over a half million small businesses to be listed in a free-public directory specifically marketed to drive business to them, would no doubt create a well-funded, attractive avenue for small business self-promotion.”

If passed by the full legislature and signed into law, the Colorado Local Business Database will be operational by January 1, 2014.  Business owners will pay a $10 fee to post their business on the database, and consumers will be able to access the database for free.

The Colorado Local Business Database is a key component in the Senate Majority’s 2012 “Colorado Works Jobs package,” a series of bills that are focused on continued job creation and economic growth in the state.

This bill now heads to the House of Representatives where it is sponsored by Representative Dan Pabon (D-Denver).

DENVER – Today, the Senate approved SB 58, the Colorado Entrepreneur Act sponsored by Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder). This legislation works to help Colorado increase the availability of venture capital to generate new businesses and jobs at existing businesses. Venture capital is essential in attracting innovative industry to promote job growth.

Senator Heath offered the following comment on the passage of The Colorado Entrepreneur Act today:

“Venture capital investment will be essential to our future economic prosperity. It is imperative that we begin focusing our resources now on making Colorado attractive to investors to promote innovative economic growth.”

The Colorado Entrepreneur Act will address the state’s current shortage of venture capital by establishing the Venture Capitol Advisory Board. Many of Colorado’s neighbors have state venture capital fund programs including Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma, but Colorado does not. This board will examine current obstacles facing our state and develop strategic methods for increasing the availability of capital in Colorado. The board will develop a report for state leaders detailing current levels of venture capital, similar programs in other states and will indentify measures that can be taken to support investment in Colorado.

Senator Heath has served as president and vice president of several multinational corporations, and was the first chair of the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center. As a state lawmaker he has been a tireless advocate of business, bioscience, alternative energy, and other groundbreaking industries.

This bill now heads to the House of Representatives.

The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act is the first of its kind in the country in that it creates a loan guarantee program for production activities. The bill will also make Colorado more attractive for movie production by increasing the existing film incentive from a 10 percent rebate for production costs to 20 percent, thereby allowing Colorado to meet or exceed similar programs in other states. This rebate will apply to production costs for films, television series, commercials, documentaries, music videos and video game creation.

This measure was sponsored in the House by Representative Massey and Representative Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver), and is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Newell and Senator Jean White (R-Hayden).

Senator Newell offered the following comment on the introduction of the Film Production Activities in Colorado Act today:

“In Colorado, the arts mean business and it means jobs. By increasing film production jobs in our state, we can also keep tourism jobs in our restaurants, lodging and ski resorts, etc. And right now we need to bring back as many jobs as we can. That’s why we’re working so well together across the aisle on this. We all want more jobs for Colorado workers.”

Senator Linda Newell addresses the CINEMA Day crowd. (Left to Right: Melissa Kuipers, Donald Zuckerman, Director of the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, Represenative Mark Ferrandino, Represenative Tom Massey, and Representative Nancy Todd)

The combination of diverse and scenic landscapes and the availability of experienced film crews as well as existing infrastructure make Colorado a desirable state for film production. More than 400 films have been filmed in the state, including feature films like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Catch and Release, True Grit and City Slickers. However, incentive programs in other states have lured movie production to other regions in recent years.

The Film Production Activities in Colorado Act works to reverse this trend. The legislation has wide support from film and creative industries all over the state, including the CINEMA (Colorado Innovators of New Entertainment, Media, and Arts) Colorado Coalition, a division of Governor John Hickenlooper’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The creative industry is the fifth largest employment sector in the state, and one of the fastest growing in the country.

Donald Zuckerman, Director of the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, offered the following comment today on the importance of the Film Jobs Act:

“This bill is so important for Colorado’s content creation industry. Content creation is one of America’s fastest growing industries and one of its greatest exports.”

Under the Film Jobs Act, an in-state production company’s local expenditures must be at least $100,000 and an out-of-state company must spend at least $1 million to qualify for the performance-based incentive program. In addition, 50 percent of the jobs must be filled by Colorado residents, an increase over the existing 25 percent requirement.

Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on the Local Foods, Local Jobs Act today:

“As our economy continues to recover, it’s important that we provide Coloradans with every opportunity to strengthen their small businesses. This legislation will help support our local communities by allowing small scale growers and producers to make the most of their products.”

The Local Foods, Local Jobs Act will ease impediments to local markets by exempting home kitchens from certain health inspections that are generally applied to large retailers. Home kitchens will be trained on safe food handling and processing procedures, as well as labeling requirements to ensure healthy products. Small businesses that promote locally sourced foods can get a strong start due to these streamlined regulations. Having passed in the Senate today, the bill now heads to the House for consideration.

This bill is part of the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works Jobs Package,” a series of bills focused on continued job creation and economic growth in the state.

Nearly 30 other states have passed similar laws to promote local products. Senate Bill 48 is sponsored in the House of Representatives by Representative Don Coram (R-Montrose).

In December, Governor Hickenlooper announced that Colorado was seeking an official “Spaceport” designation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The United States space program has three sectors – civil, military and commercial. The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is responsible for licensing, regulating and promoting the commercial-sector space industry.

Senator Hodge’s Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act will further the process of achieving spaceport designation by creating the required limited liability statute that will shield commercial space flight companies from lawsuits not based on negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Colorado is already home to 400 space related companies, and the industry is estimated to generate $3 billion in state revenue annually.  This legislation allows for the continued growth of the aerospace industry in Colorado by creating a stable and transparent regulatory climate.

The first to benefit from the Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act may be the Front Range Airport in Adams County, which is located six miles from Denver International Airport.  Front Range Airport is working on developing a space-plane program in which suborbital planes fly on the edge of space, and can transport cargo and passengers across the globe in as little as two hours.  A similar program is developing in New Mexico.

Front Range Airport Aviation Director Dennis Heap testified on behalf of the Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act today and offered the following comment:

“The concept of Front Range Airport as a Spaceport was introduced to us less than six months ago, and we have been highly motivated by the possibilities.  Colorado needs good jobs and sustaining economic growth.  Spaceport designation is very important, but it is just a catalyst to enrich the already robust aerospace industry of Colorado.”

Senator Hodge offered the following comment on the Colorado Aerospace Jobs Act today:

“Coloradans have always had an adventurous entrepreneurial spirit, and the commercial space industry is the new frontier. With one of the most highly educated workforces in the nation and an existing aerospace industry it just makes sense to make our state attractive to these companies.”

Currently, Colorado has the second largest private aerospace workforce in the country, and space related industries employ more than 163,000 workers. In addition, eight of the nation’s top ten aerospace industries are located in Colorado, and Colorado universities provide some of the best aerospace and engineering research in the nation.  The combination of a trained workforce, inventive learning institutions, and proactive legislation make Colorado an ideal candidate to receive a spaceport designation.

The Colorado Aerospace Jobs act is a key component of the Senate Majority’s “Colorado Works Jobs Package,” a series of bills focused on continued job creation and economic growth in the state.