Advocacy Report

Post Primary Election Analysis - What Could it Mean for 2027 Legislative Session?

After the progressive wave that took place in the June 30, 2026 primary election on the democratic side, AGC has received questions about what the election means for businesses and construction next year. Ed Sealover, the editor of the Sum & Substance took a try at answering this question in his recent article Policy platforms give insight to what progressive wave may mean for businesses Ed reviewed the websites of the successful progressive candidates and found that the common themes were making it easier for employees to form a union, increasing environmental regulations and fines for non-compliance, changes to the healthcare system, re-introduction of rent control and other policies to try to make housing more affordable, and support for a graduated income tax in Colorado (an idea likely to to make it to the ballot in Nov 2026). Four of the five areas would affect construction directly. To learn more check out the article in the link provided.

 

Weiser Picks Lt. Governor Running Mate for November Election

Democratic candidate for governor Phil Weiser on Wednesday announced Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper as his pick for lieutenant governor, citing his running mate’s efforts to untangle Jeffco’s tax caps and her work on the opioid crisis as key credentials (Denver Post article)

Weiser picks Jeffco elected official as running mate

 

Position for Commercial Construction Representative Open on Wildfire Resiliency Code Board

The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) establishes statewide minimum standards for construction and site development within designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Adopted pursuant to Senate Bill 23-166, the code is intended to reduce the risk of structure ignition from wildfires through a combination of building hardening measures and defensible space requirements. The bill established a Code Board to help adopt the initial code and make adjustments over time. AGC Advocacy Director Michael Gifford was appointed in 2023 to a 3-year term as the commercial construction representative, and his term expires at the end of September 2026. AGC would like to recommend a new commercial construction representative to the Speaker of the House for appointment to a 3-year term. Interested candidates should contact Gifford at mgifford@agccolorado.org for help in applying for the position.

 

Construction Employment Increases 3.3% in Colorado

Construction employment increased 3.3% in Colorado in the past 12 months, from 182,800 to 188,900 employees; an increase of 6,100 employees. AGC has introduced several additional workforce programs in the past year to help with both recruitment and upskilling. Learn more at www.agccolorado.org under the Events and Training Tab.

 

AGC Legislative Committee to Meet on August 4

The AGC Legislative Committee is scheduled to meet on August 4 to review the results of candidate interviews and approve any additional recommended AGC PAC contributions to state legislative candidates. At the July 7 meeting the committee approved $19,200 in AGC PAC (Political Action Committee) contributions to 20 republican and 12 democrat candidates for state senate and house seats. Committee members found these 32 candidates to have business friendly platforms. Many are returning legislators who have a record of supporting AGC and the construction industry. All candidates receiving AGC PAC support will be listed in the AGC Voter Guide for the November 2026 election.

 

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 scheduled for August 4. To check it out or join the committee email Nicole at the AGC office at nicole@agccolorado.org.

 

AGC to Meet with Denver City Council Members to Discuss Proposed Best Value Contracting Ordinance for City & Airport Projects 

DOTI and DEN use Best Value Contracting Now but Council May Want Extension of Criteria

Denver Council Members Flor Alvidrez and Chris Hinds have introduced a proposed ordinance to alter existing contracting & purchasing criteria and process for city services including construction projects. Today the city can use CM/GC and Design-Build as well as Design-Bid-Build contracting methods, but evaluation criteria is set for each project based on that project’s challenges and needs. The proposal would attempt to standardize the criteria and add additional criteria not used today (like local hiring practices, along with health & pension benefits and additional apprenticeship utilization for all crafts). The proposal would also require a GC to provide list specialty contractors to be used on a project at proposal and include those contractors statement that they meet all the criteria.

 

AGC, along with the Colorado Contractors Association and Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, are scheduled to meet with the City Council sponsors on July 28 to discuss the proposal. Stay tuned for more information as we move forward through the process.

 

Draft Ordinance & Presentation to Denver Budget & Policy Committee