Roberts’ Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Colorado’s Rural Economy Passes Senate

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, that would create jobs and better support Colorado’s rural economy passed the Senate today.

Cosponsored by Senator Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, HB24-1001 would extend income tax credits and grants available to businesses and their employees through the Rural Jump-Start Program, which aims to reduce the cost of starting a new business or hiring employees in rural economic jump-start zones.

“Colorado's Rural Jump-Start program is a proven success. It provides the possibility for small businesses to open their doors and hire employees in our rural communities,” Roberts said. “This bipartisan bill will ensure that this important program continues and that we can get the resources to small businesses that they need to open, hire employees, grow their operations, and thrive. This is a great win for rural Colorado!”

A rural economic jump-start zone is an area within a county with a population less than 250,000 that exhibits certain indicators of economic distress, such as lower per capita income than the state average, lower gross domestic product than the state average, unemployment levels higher than the statewide average, a declining workforce, or a higher concentration of students eligible for free lunch compared to the statewide average.

HB24-1001 will now move to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.