Colorado’s Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Challenges & Opportunities for Businesses

By Steve Swinney, CEO of Kodiak Building Partners & Member of Colorado Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Colorado’s business community is at a crossroads. A recent study from the Colorado Chamber of Commerce reveals that our state is the sixth most regulated in the nation, with nearly 200,000 regulations, 45% of which are deemed excessive or duplicative. While these findings highlight serious challenges, they also open the door for constructive conversations about how we, as business leaders, can advocate for solutions that support both economic growth and community well-being.

The Impact on Colorado Businesses & Workforce

For those of us in the building and construction industry, and across Colorado’s diverse business sectors, the implications of overregulation are clear:

• Job Losses: With every 10% increase in state regulations, Colorado risks losing 36,000 jobs and 9,000 businesses. This directly affects livelihoods and the stability of our workforce.
• Increased Costs: Regulatory burdens drive up costs for businesses, which in turn leads to higher consumer prices. This disproportionately impacts lower-income families, making it harder for them to afford essential goods and services.
• Stifled Growth: Excessive regulations slow economic productivity by 1–2% annually, limiting opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand.

Certain industries—like pipeline transportation, utilities, and chemical manufacturing—are facing regulatory hurdles up to seven times higher than the median state. For companies in these sectors, the ability to compete and thrive becomes increasingly difficult.

A Path Toward Balanced Solutions

As leaders, it’s essential to acknowledge that regulations play a crucial role in ensuring safety, fairness, and accountability. However, there is an urgent need to address the unintended consequences of overregulation. The Colorado Chamber has proposed actionable solutions to reduce unnecessary burdens while maintaining high standards, including:

• Conducting regulatory audits to identify and eliminate redundancies.
• Establishing caps on regulatory growth to prevent excessive restrictions.
• Setting reduction targets to streamline compliance requirements.
• Implementing regulatory sunsets, ensuring periodic review of policies for relevance and efficiency.

These measures aim to foster a business environment that enables companies to grow while protecting the values and standards we all share.

What This Means for Our Industry

For the building and construction industry—a cornerstone of Colorado’s economy—the stakes are particularly high. Excessive regulations not only hinder productivity but also slow down critical infrastructure and housing projects that our communities depend on. By addressing these challenges, we can:

• Create a more predictable and efficient operating environment.
• Drive innovation and sustainability in building practices.
• Support job creation and workforce development.

How We Can Lead the Way

At Kodiak Building Partners, we believe in the power of collaboration and proactive leadership. Here’s how businesses in our industry can contribute to meaningful change:

1. Engage with Policymakers: Share your perspectives with local and state leaders. Real-world examples from our industry can drive more informed decision-making. Visit the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Page to learn how you can get involved.
2. Participate in Advocacy Efforts: Join organizations like the Colorado Chamber of Commerce or industry-specific associations to amplify our collective voice.
3. Invest in Workforce Development: A well-trained workforce is essential for navigating regulatory complexities and driving long-term growth. Explore Kodiak’s commitment to workforce development on our Careers Page.
4. Stay Informed: Read the full report to understand the scope of the issue and how proposed solutions could impact your business. Access it here.

Moving Forward Together

Colorado has always been a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and resilience. By addressing the challenges of overregulation thoughtfully and collaboratively, we can build a brighter future for businesses, employees, and communities across the state. As a member of the Colorado Chamber’s Board of Directors, I am committed to working alongside our peers to find balanced solutions that support growth, opportunity, and sustainability.

Let’s seize this moment to shape a regulatory environment that empowers us all to succeed.