Colorado Chamber Office Hours

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover breaks down two competing measures on Colorado’s November ballot. Amendment 87 would replace the state’s flat income tax with a graduated structure, while Proposition 136 would cap the income tax rate at 4.4% for individuals and corporations.

Chris deGruy Kennedy, president and CEO of the Bell Policy Center, explains why he believes a graduated income tax is necessary to address Colorado’s revenue needs and fund state services. Kristi Burton Brown, executive vice president of the Advance Colorado Institute, discusses why limiting future income tax increases would give employers greater certainty and help Colorado remain competitive.

Tune in for a closer look at the competing proposals and what each could mean for Colorado businesses, taxpayers and the state’s economy.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover is joined by Kat Saunders, partner and head of strategy and leadership at Economic Leadership, to discuss a new Colorado Chamber Foundation report examining the future of Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry.

Their conversation explores the industry’s importance to Colorado’s economy, Colorado’s competitive strengths, the importance of an end-to-end ecosystem and how other states are competing for new investment. Saunders also offers guidance on how companies can advocate effectively for the industry.

Read the Chamber’s industry report here: https://cochamber.com/2026/09/10/new-report-highlights-colorado-aerospace-and-defense-strengths-calls-for-action-to-sustain-competitiveness/ 

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover explores Colorado’s unique place in the national political landscape with veteran political strategist Donna Brazile. Sealover and Brazile discuss partisan politics, Colorado’s elections and economic policy.

The conversation also dives into recent shifts within the Democratic and Republican parties, the 2028 presidential election and whether a Colorado politician could emerge on the national stage.

Interested in hearing more from Brazile? Join us at the Colorado Chamber’s Annual Meeting, where she is this year’s keynote speaker: https://cochamber.com/event/2026-annual-meeting/

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover sits down with the candidates for Colorado attorney general to explore how their approaches to consumer protection, regulation and legal disputes involving the state could affect the state's businesses. 

Democratic candidate Jena Griswold and Republican candidate Michael Allen share their perspectives on Colorado’s water future and the balance between protecting consumers and supporting businesses. Griswold also explains how her experience managing the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office would inform her leadership and how she would respond to federal actions affecting the state, while Allen discusses how his background as a district attorney would shape his approach to the office. 

Tune in for a closer look at the candidates’ backgrounds, priorities and perspectives on key legal issues facing Colorado businesses.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover explores the race for Colorado state treasurer, examining how the candidates for office would strengthen the state’s business environment and invest public funds.

Democratic candidate Jeff Bridges shares his approach to investing Colorado’s treasury pool, tracking state spending and improving the office's existing programs. Republican candidate Kevin Grantham discusses how the treasurer should work with the state legislature and how he would invest state funds if elected. 

Tune in for a conversation on fiscal policy, state retirement programs and whether a public bank make makes sense for Colorado.

This Week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover sits down with both candidates for Colorado’s secretary of state office to discuss their priorities for the office and how they would approach certain issues affecting the business community. 

Republican candidate James Wiley and Democratic candidate Amanda Gonzalez share their perspectives on business filing fees, data security and how the office can better support Colorado’s business. The candidates also outline how they plan to administer Colorado’s elections and ensure they remain secure and accessible.  

Tune in for a closer look at the candidates and hear how each would lead an office that plays an important role in Colorado’s business environment and elections. 

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we are diving into the technical world of state regulations by breaking down Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Management for Manufacturing program, known as GEMM 2, following a recent Air Quality Control Commission hearing.  

Host Ed Sealover is joined by John Jacus, a partner at the Davis Graham law firm with more than 30 years experience representing clients in matters involving federal and state environmental laws and regulatory programs. The conversation covers how the emissions credit trading system works, recent decisions involving carbon capture and the key outcomes of the rule making for emissions producers. 

Tune in to learn more about Colorado’s emissions rules and what the latest decisions mean for businesses.

Leadership Colorado is a nine-month Colorado Chamber program that gives rising leaders firsthand insight into Colorado’s business landscape, key policy issues and the industries shaping the state’s economy.

This week on Colorado Chamber Office Hours, host Ed Sealover looks back on Leadership Colorado’s Northern Colorado trip, where participants explored the businesses and industries shaping the region’s economy.

The episode features conversations with Molly Kostka, director of Leadership Colorado; Katie Koontz, owner and farmer at Native Hill Farm; Neil Fisher, founder and owner of WeldWerks Brewing Co.; Ed Edmunds and Marsha Taub-Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited; and two participants in the program, Hailey Beatty and Mikala Tomkins of Wings Credit Union.

Tune in for a look at how Leadership Colorado helps participants build relationships, learn from communities across the state and strengthen their own leadership approach.

With Colorado’s primary election taking place tomorrow, we are breaking down key business issues with legislative candidates from both sides of the aisle.

Host Ed Sealover first sits down with Taylor Voss, a Democrat from Pueblo running for Senate District 3. Voss discusses the importance of small business in his district, workforce development and what an energy transition could look like in Pueblo in the years ahead.

Sealover then speaks with Teddy Collins, a Republican from Larkspur running for Senate District 4. Collins shares his perspective on Colorado’s cost of living, the state’s regulatory environment and how his experience as a business owner would inform his approach at the Capitol.

Tune in for a closer look for where these candidates stand on the business issues shaping Colorado’s economy. 

This week for a special episode of Colorado Chamber Office Hours, we are sitting down with Colorado’s other Democratic candidate for governor, U.S. Senator from Colorado, Michael Bennet.

Host Ed Sealover and Bennet kick off the conversation by discussing the general state of Colorado’s business environment and the effect of overregulation.

They then pivot to discuss the emerging technologies that have been a hot topic in the state legislature, including artificial intelligence, social media, the debate over data center development and Colorado’s Labor Peace Act.

Tune in to hear how Bennet would tackle business issues if elected.