CO

An Analysis of Tariff Shocks, Policy Volatility & Small Business Resilience in Four States

Publisher: 
University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs graduate students
English
Date: 
Thursday, June 11, 2026

Research by University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs graduate students Janet Perez Shensky, John Paul, Andre Cowan and Stephanie Mora, advised by Professor Dilawar Syed, examines how the 2025 U.S. tariff regime affected small businesses in California, Georgia, Illinois and Colorado. Using trade, employment and SBA lending data, the report finds that tariffs and policy uncertainty disproportionately burden small firms, particularly in the agriculture, manufacturing and retail sectors, limiting their ability to invest, hire and grow.

Small Business Majority submits testimony on lowering healthcare costs in Colorado

On April 30, Small Business Majority State Policy & Advocacy, Vice President Awesta Sarkash submitted written testimony requesting an amendment to Senate Bill 26-178, which would provide stopgap funding for the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise (HIAE). This is a critical measure that would help lower healthcare costs for Coloradans on the individual market.

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 13:41

Small Business Majority submits testimony on maintaining funding for paid family and medical leave in Colorado

On April 30, Small Business Majority State Policy & Advocacy, Vice President Awesta Sarkash submitted testimony on Senate Bill 26-180. She urged the state to prioritize addressing childcare funding gaps, but not at the expense of the FAMLI program.

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Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 04/30/2026 - 13:13

Small Business Majority testifies against surveillance pricing in Colorado

On April 21, Small Business Majority Vice President, State Policy & Advocacy Awesta Sarkash submitted written testimony in support of HB26-1210. This legislation would prohibit discrimination against a consumer or worker through the use of a price or wage setting algorithm (PWSA), which would protect small businesses from an increasingly unleveled playing field.  

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 12:09

Small Business Majority sends a letter in opposition to weakening Colorado's Prescription Drug Affordability Board

On March 27th, Small Business Majority State Policy & Advocacy Vice President Awesta Sarkash sent a letter to Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee in opposition to SB26-140. This legislation would prevent Colorado’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) from reviewing the cost of hundreds of commonly prescribed medications that Coloradans struggle to afford every day.

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 04/02/2026 - 14:17

Small Business Majority submits letter in support of Colorado CLIMBER Loan Fund improvement

On March 10, Small Business Majority Vice President of State Policy & Advocacy Awesta Sarkash submitted a letter in support of HB26-1003 to the Coloraod Senate Finance Committee. This legislation would make improvements to the Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Resiliency (CLIMBER) Loan Fund while also supporting the Colorado Startup Loan Fund. 

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 06:56

Small Business Majority testifies in support of extending the Child Care Continuation Tax Credit in Colorado

On February 4, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson submitted written testimony on HB26-1004, legislation that would extend the Child Care Continuation Tax Credit for 10 years.

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 11:58

Small Business Majority testifies in support of improving Colorado's CLIMBER Loan Fund

On February 4, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson testified in support of HB26-1003. This legislation would make improvements to the Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Resiliency (CLIMBER) Loan Fund while also supporting the Colorado Startup Loan Fund.

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 11:49

Small Business Majority submits written testimony on healthcare transparency

On February 25, Small Business Majority Vice President, State Policy & Advoacy Awesta Sarkash submitted written testimony in support of SB26-041. This legislation would require greater transparency for healthcare mergers and acquisitions, and strengthen Colorado's antitrust laws to protect competition.

English
Submitted by Elena Ellingson-Cosenza on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 07:41

Why supporting Black-owned small business across Colorado is more important than ever

Posted: January 13, 2026

Of Colorado’s 730,000 small businesses, 34,000 are Black-owned. These businesses are a quickly growing and vital element of our economy, with more than 8,600 founded in the past two years. Yet, Black-owned small businesses still face barriers to success like high healthcare costs and accessing capital.

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