Congressman Gabe Evans Calls on Gov. Polis to Ease Burdens on Colorado Small Businesses After Hearing Concerns from Employers Across CO-08

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Gabe Evans sent a letter to Colorado Governor Jared Polis calling on him to reverse the growing number of taxes, fees, mandates, and regulations that are making it increasingly difficult for Colorado's small businesses to hire workers, expand operations, and keep their doors open.

The letter comes after Congressman Evans spent months meeting with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and local chambers of commerce throughout Colorado's Eighth Congressional District. During those conversations, employers consistently shared the same message: rising state regulations and compliance costs are making it harder to grow their businesses, create jobs, and serve their communities.

An excerpt from the letter reads: 

"While I am working hard in Washington to pass legislation to help small business owners in my district, you are partnering with ruling Democrats in the State Legislature to overwhelm those same businesses with higher fees, rising labor costs, increased compliance mandates, and endless red tape that make it harder to hire workers, expand operations, and keep their doors open."

In the letter, Congressman Evans outlines several state laws signed by Governor Polis that employers say have increased labor costs, expanded compliance requirements, and created additional financial burdens for Colorado businesses. The Congressman also contrasts those policies with recent federal efforts to lower taxes and provide greater certainty for small businesses through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Congressman Evans notes that small businesses make up 99.5 percent of all Colorado businesses and employ nearly half of the state's workforce, making them essential to the state's economy and the livelihoods of hardworking Colorado families. The letter also highlights the importance of Colorado's Hispanic-owned businesses, which continue to play a vital role in creating jobs and strengthening local communities.

The Congressman is urging Governor Polis to work alongside Colorado's job creators by reducing unnecessary regulations, lowering costs, and pursuing policies that allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow instead of burdening them with additional government mandates.

You can read the full letter here.