Opinion Survey: Colorado small businesses identify priorities for the Colorado General Assembly
As entrepreneurs continue to navigate business and economic challenges stemming from pandemic, Small Business Majority surveyed small business owners and operators in Colorado to assess business conditions and the rising costs of healthcare.
The survey, which was fielded between January 21, 2022 through February 21, 2022, found that nearly half (45%) of Colorado small businesses felt more optimistic about their business prospects over the next quarter despite rising inflation, supply chain and hiring challenges, and pandemic-induced struggles. Despite this general optimism, 38% of small businesses reported that conditions greatly or somewhat declined over the past quarter, while 32% said conditions have neither improved nor declined, and only 30% have seen somewhat or greatly improved conditions.
The survey also gauged respondents’ views on healthcare, and the findings indicate the need to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. When asked about which issue should be the top priority for the Colorado Legislature, one-third of Colorado small business owners said policymakers should prioritize bringing down the cost of healthcare during the 2022 legislative session. Additional priorities include distributing COVID-19 stimulus funds to best support small businesses (36% support), simplifying the sales tax code (20% support), and improving accessibility and affordability of childcare (10% support).
Small business owners identified additional challenges with accessing healthcare. More than 1 in 10 (11%) are not able to access a primary care provider in their area, and 7% of Colorado entrepreneurs are currently uninsured.
As these findings reveal, a number of small businesses in Colorado are still struggling to navigate financial challenges from the pandemic. Small business owners are looking to policymakers for solutions, and they want the state legislature to prioritize bringing down healthcare costs and utilizing pandemic relief dollars to support local businesses.
