FIGHTING FOR BOULDER’S BUSINESSES

Responding to crucial needs through policy work

The Boulder Chamber’s advocacy team is a familiar and active voice in the local business community, regularly addressing issues ranging from health care to transportation solutions.

While the team is well-versed in navigating the policy landscape, 2020 saw the accelerated development of initiatives designed to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. Through creative thinking and quick action, the Boulder Chamber was fortunate to play a key support or leadership role in many of these programs.

Early action to support businesses

As COVID-19 made its way through the U.S. early last year, the advocacy team first sought to connect Boulder Chamber members with health policy leaders for the most up-todate information. A health care leadership panel in early March shifted to include a report from the Boulder Office of Emergency Management on the scope of COVID-19’s impact and the city’s early response. An additional speaking slot was added for Boulder Transportation Connections, which provided helpful information about teleworking as many businesses faced the reality of remote work for the first time.

Among several early initiatives the Boulder Chamber supported was an allowance for businesses to submit late property tax payments without penalty. The Boulder Chamber successfully encouraged Governor Polis, State legislators, and County leadership to extend the opportunity for increased flexibility in property tax payments.

Innovative solutions to address business needs

COVID-19 prompted certain industries to face unique obstacles that directly challenged their business models. Among these were restaurants, which for much of the year were unable to provide in-person service to their customers. Many restaurants adapted their business models to begin takeout and delivery programs.

Unfortunately, one caveat of many third-party food delivery platforms (like Uber Eats and Door Dash) is the high service fee charged to both customers and restaurants, causing many restaurants to lose even more of their profit. This prompted the Boulder Chamber and other local partners to work with the City of Boulder on using CARES Act funding to subsidize delivery fees through a program known as Restaurant S.O.S.

“The ravages of the coronavirus resulted in fewer customers at our restaurants,” said Senior Director of Policy Programs Lori Call. “It was essential we helped our members through this challenging time, and especially to make sure they are still there after conditions improve. So we looked to solutions such as these to support them.”

Finding new opportunities in familiar issues

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to address business needs was to look at current policy work outside of the immediate COVID-19 response and determine how it could support future economic recovery. The Boulder Chamber’s advocacy for major development projects, including the University Hill Hotel and the proposal for adaptive re-use of the Macy’s site at the 29th Street Mall, gained renewed importance to promote future economic vitality. This is particularly critical as Boulder’s sales tax revenues declined in 2020 and fewer commuters came into Boulder due to the pandemic.

Advocating for policies that help reduce businesses’ operating costs became especially important in 2020. Key among the advocacy team’s initiatives last year was evaluating Boulder’s review and permitting process to find opportunities for improvement and streamlining.

“As we navigate this crisis, we need to ensure that Boulder remains a welcoming place for business to operate by reducing costs due to unnecessary delays in development review and permitting procedures,” said Call.

A survey conducted by the Chamber found that 67 percent of respondents said they faced “much higher” building costs in Boulder due, in part, to city fees. However, respondents did acknowledge significant improvements in city processes over the past 18 months. Partly in response to these findings and to the Boulder Chamber’s advocacy, the city is currently re-evaluating its systems to help lower costs and resource usage for businesses.

Communicating to Boulder Chamber members and the broader community on election issues is a significant priority of the advocacy team each year. Voter education materials, including a ballot scorecard and social media campaigns on state and local ballot issues, informed residents about policies that could impact local businesses and the economy. At the state level, the Boulder Chamber advocated heavily and successfully for the Gallagher Amendment repeal, which will reduce the disproportionate impact of property taxes on commercial businesses as early as this year.

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Looking ahead

In 2021, the Boulder Chamber advocacy team looks forward to strong collaboration with its community partners and state-level and national leaders to continue to guide businesses through the hardships they face.

“We’re excited to continue to build bridges in the community and among our businesses to establish avenues in which they can support each other and collectively persevere in uncertain times,” concluded Public Affairs Director Andrea Meneghel. “We’re honored to be trusted to represent them and to reflect the business voice in the policy discussions seeking responsive solutions.”

Lori Call Senior Director of Policy Programs | lori.call@boulderchamber.com

Andrea Meneghel Director of Public Affairs | andrea.meneghel@boulderchamber.com