Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in Colorado. The state’s nearly 690,000 small businesses employ 1.2 million people, accounting for 99.5% of all businesses in Colorado.
Small Business Majority and Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI) convened an Inclusive Small Business Roundtable on December 4 with Colorado policymakers and agency leaders and a group of diverse small business owners ahead of the upcoming 2025 legislative session. The goal was to help legislators and agency attendees better understand the experiences and barriers that entrepreneurs face when starting and growing their businesses.
Although Jessi Burg loved her career in seasonal industries like environmental education, outdoor guiding and agriculture, she faced a big problem.
“I wanted to make a living wage,” she said.
With that goal in mind, the future Colorado entrepreneur thought about the small business owners she knew. They seemed to have more control over their wages, work schedule and life. This realization led her to found a landscaping business, Pears to Perennials, in 2016.
On October 10, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson submitted comments in support of Draft Proposed Amended Regulation 4-2-92: Concerning Colorado Option Public Hearings.
On October 10, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson submmited a comment letter on DRAFT Proposed Amended Regulation 4-2-85: Concerning the Methodology for Calculating Premium Rate Reductions for Colorado Option Standardized Health Benefits Plan.
On September 12, Small Business Majority Colorado Director Hunter Nelson submitted comments in support of Draft Proposed Amended Regulation 4-2-56: Concerning Continuity of Care Requirement for ACA-Compliant Health Benefit Plans.
On September 17, Colorado Director Hunter Nelson and Colorado small business owners, sent a letter to Colorado Insurance Commisioner Michael Conway calling on the Colorado Division of Insurance to bring carriers, hopsitals and brokers to the table to help increase enrollment in the Colorado Option and lower costs.
Entrepreneurship runs in Dusti Budd’s family. Capitol Deli was originally owned by her step-dad, Steven Lloyd. Around 25 years ago, Dusti worked under him until he sold the business. Fifteen years later, Dusti was taking business classes at Colorado Mountain College, which required her to create a business plan. This later inspired her to buy Capitol Deli and open a location in Newcastle, Colo.
Small Business Majority’s Outreach Team supports entrepreneurs on two fronts: It advocates for policies that benefit small businesses and it offers webinars and in-person events that help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. We have found this work to be even more important as small businesses experience rising inflation, supply chain disruptions and workforce challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic.
We are spotlighting Hunter Nelson, Small Business Majority’s new Colorado Director, to let small business owners know how our team members can assist them.
Hunter Nelson directs Small Business Majority’s outreach, education and policy efforts in the state of Colorado, by building and maintaining strategic partnerships, educating the small business communities on key policy issues and working on statewide policy efforts.
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