Legislative Climate
Colorado's commitment to ensuring a business friendly environment has been embraced by all branches and levels of government. State and local officials recognize the critical importance of a robust private sector and work together to maintain one of the nation's best business climates.
For 20 years, Colorado has been a national leader in creating a positive litigation environment for businesses. In fact, Colorado is the only state in the nation that has enacted every major civil justice reform recommended by the American Tort Reform Association.
Colorado's elected officials have passed a variety of legislation to ensure a business-friendly climate throughout the state.
- In 1991, the legislature enacted a major reform (SB91-218) of the state workers' compensation statute that, since then, has saved businesses hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Between 1999 and 2001 the legislature and the Governor delivered broad-based tax relief to individuals and businesses through reductions of the sales tax and the corporate and personal income tax.
- In 2006, the largest economic development incentives package was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, which included incentives for job creation, film production, bioscience and tourism.
As a result, Colorado's business-friendly environment has been nationally recognized.
- The Pacific Research Institute ranked Colorado #2 in its study of the relative lawsuit burdens on jobs and businesses around the country.
- The US Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform ranks Colorado's civil courts as the 8th fairest in the country.
- The Simon Fraser Institute has ranked Colorado #3 in Labor Market Freedom, and #2 in Economic Freedom.
- The Tax Foundation has ranked Colorado #6 for its Business-Friendly Tax Climate.