• AGC Advocacy Report

  • Michael Gifford, AGC Advocacy Director
    June 13, 2025

     
     

    Sign up for the weekly Advocacy Report newsletter by emailing Nicole (nicole@agccolorado.org)

  • State

    How Employers Can Prepare for DHS/ICE Raids & Ensure Compliance with Immigration Laws
    In light of increased ICE activity around the country and the rapidly evolving landscape around U.S. immigration policy, AGC has released a new online resource center for contractors. Read More
    AGC has also partnered with AGC Member Fisher Phillips to provide a free 1-page guide for members on how to respond to an ICE immigration visit or jobsite raid. Fisher Phillips also has a more comprehensive packet available for a fee. Contact Fisher Phillips for more information.
     
    Coalition Re-Files Legal Challenge to State & Denver Energy Laws
    On June 10th the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, Colorado Apartment Association, Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, and NAIOP Colorado (developers) jointly refiled their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado to challenge the building energy performance standards in Colorado Regulation 28 and Energize Denver. These mandates violate the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) by imposing stricter requirements than federal law allows, which will increase housing and business costs, displace tenants, and fail to achieve their stated goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
     
    In March, U.S. District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez dismissed the original case, concluding that the Associations had not yet sufficiently demonstrated how the regulations would harm in violation of federal law. The dismissal was “without prejudice,” with the Court allowing the Associations to refile with more specifics. The revised complaint highlights how Regulation 28 and Energize Denver would force costly retrofits of compliant equipment for specific buildings, burdening Colorado’s already strained electric grid. AGC is actively monitoring this effort and is working in a complimentary fashion with the coalition through the Colorado Real Estate Alliance (CREA). CREA was part of a group that did achieve some slowdown this year in both state and Denver energy reduction policy for buildings. Stay tuned as this lawsuit moves forward.
     
    Coalition Refiles Suit in The Denver Gazette
     
    Governor Polis Signs HB25-1130 Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects
    HB25-1130      Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects
    AGC Position:  Opposed          Status: Signed by Governor on 6-3-25
    This bill proposed to
    1. Extend apprenticeship utilization requirements on state building projects from 44 state agencies and institutions of higher ed (from MEP trades to all trades on those projects).
    2. Allow counties to opt-in to the state’s prevailing wage and expanded apprenticeship utilization requirements.
    3. Authorize 44 state agencies and institutions of higher ed to require a project labor agreement on a specific project. State agencies are not required to use this section of the bill.
    AGC opposed this bill and was able to get sections 1 & 2 removed through amendments. AGC was not able to get section 3 removed from the bill and the bill passed by a wide margin in both the House and the Senate.
     
    AGC is opposed to government mandated project labor agreements and sent the following letter and policy statement (along with back-up information linked below) to the Governor’s office on this bill.
     
    The Governor signed this bill and now AGC will begin an education effort (with several coalition partners) to let owners know what a Government Mandated PLA is, and why AGC opposes government mandated PLAs despite having both union and open shop members.
     
    List of attachments:
    Federal DOD PLA Policy (allows for free & open competition for Public Projects)
    *(Policy requires GSA to allow for non-PLA bids or proposals when PLA is allowed)
    **(study found that use of PLA would increase project cost by 6.4%)
     
    AGC Joins Coalition Asking State to Pause Enforcement of Large Employer Reporting Rule
    The state’s Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) approved a Large Entity Reporting Rule for companies that have fleets of 20+ vehicles. Now that the rules have been finalized by the AQCC, a group of business and contractor organizations feel that the rule is too onerous and asks for too much information. AGC and the coalition have asked for a pause in the rule to sort all of this out. Click here for the letter. We will report back on the response as it is received.
     
    AGC Starts to Interview Candidates for City Council and 2026 State Legislature
    Election season already? AGC has started interviewing candidates for state House and Senate seats in the 2026 legislature. Candidates are always looking to the next election and AGC has an active Political Action Committee (PAC) that supports business friendly candidates.
     
    AGC Legislative Committee Meeting on July 1
    The AGC Legislative Committee will meet next on July 1 to address upcoming advocacy, election & legislative issues.
     
    There are 50 members of the AGC Legislative Committee and all member firms are eligible to have a representative on the committee. The next meeting is July 1. To check it out or join the committee email Nicole at the AGC office at nicole@agccolorado.org.
     
    AGC State Bill Tracker
    For a complete list of AGC state bill positions see our handy dandy AGC Bill Tracker. For questions contact Michael Gifford at mgifford@agccolorado.org
     

  • Federal

    AGC’s Federal Contractors Come to Washington
    The AGC’s Federal Contractors Conference (FedCon), held from June 9-11 in Washington, D.C., brought together construction industry leaders and federal agency counterparts for conversations on real-time impacts to the industry. This year’s FedCon featured discussions... - Read more
     
    AGC's Financial Issues Forum Meets in Washington, D.C.
    The AGC Financial Issues Forum convened in Washington, D.C. to discuss latest industry issues and their financial implications. Attendees include owners, Chief Financial Officers, Controllers, Treasurers, Certified Public Accountants, Auditors, Consultants, Bankers, Sureties, and others interested in the construction industry.  - Read more
     
    Senate Advances FHWA Administrator Nominee
    On June 11, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has voted to advance Sean McMaster’s nomination as the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). You may recall...  - Read more
     
    Construction Sector Adds 4,000 Jobs in May as Wages Rise and Firms Retain Workers
    Construction sector employment increased by 4,000 positions in May as rising wages enabled the industry to add workers more rapidly than other sectors, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released recently. - Read more
     
    Two New OSHA Resources to Stay Safe in the Heat
    The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has developed two new education resources for employers and workers to stay safe in the heat. For more information and resources, read OSHA’s. - Read more
     
    Informal Public Hearing on OSHA's Proposed Heat Rule Begins June 16
    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is continuing its efforts to establish a federal standard aimed at protecting workers from hazardous heat exposure. An informal public... - Read more
     
    AGC of America's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Efforts Receive International Recognition
    On May 22, during Mental Health Month, AGC of America received international recognition, from the UK’s National Forum for Health and Wellbeing at Work, for our leadership in advancing mental... - Read more