Weekly Policy Update: CBSA Prepares for the 2021 Legislative Session

On January 13, the Colorado General Assembly will convene for a short time to address urgent business and then take a temporary recess, with the aim of returning to the state Capitol on February 16 to continue the 2021 legislative session. The hope is that the peak of the pandemic will have subsided by that time.

While the General Assembly is in a temporary recess, the Joint Budget Committee will continue to meet, with virtual participation continuing for those hearings.

While the 2021 session is slightly delayed, the CBSA team continues to engage and educate state legislators about Colorado’s dynamic life sciences community. We work for a pro-innovation policy environment to accelerate the growth of our life sciences ecosystem and support the development of innovative therapies and technologies for patients.

CBSA advocates for the following state policy priorities:

Protect Patient Access to Health Innovation 

CBSA works to protect timely patient access to needed therapies and technologies. To support this priority, CBSA promotes policies that improve coverage and access to groundbreaking treatments by removing unnecessary coverage barriers and reducing delays to treatment. 

Strengthen Incentives for Innovation 

CBSA advocates for a public policy environment that strengthens incentives for innovation and offers predictability on the path from research to market. CBSA works to mitigate or defeat any new legislative or regulatory proposals that will impede research, place undue burdens on the industry, or create unintended consequences for our members. 

Increase Capital and Growth  

CBSA fosters the growth of successful access to capital programs, including the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program, the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit, and the Advanced Industries Export Program. CBSA advocates to bring new life sciences investments to Colorado and explore new funding models that could attract additional public and private capital. 

Promote a Supportive Tax and Regulatory Environment 

CBSA advocates for proposals to strengthen the state’s tax and regulatory environment, which is crucial to maintain and grow a competitive life sciences ecosystem. This includes efforts to modernize the state’s economic development incentives and enact new tax policies to spur company and capital formation. CBSA also works to prevent erosive measures that could make it harder to expand current companies or attract new life sciences companies to Colorado. 

Cultivate an Educated Workforce   

CBSA supports workforce development initiatives to create a talent pipeline for the growing life sciences ecosystem. CBSA champions efforts to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and encourages the development of educational pathways, internship programs, and other initiatives to grow Colorado’s life sciences workforce.  

Advance Ecosystem Priorities within the Colorado State Budget 

In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the state will continue to make strategic investments to fund essential programs, stimulate the economy, and accelerate Colorado’s recovery. As the state legislature works to balance the budget, CBSA will advocate to restore full funding for ecosystem priorities, including the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program. 

Promote Strategies to Improve Public Health   

CBSA is committed to promoting strategies and public policies that improve public health and build healthier communities in Colorado. This includes advancing proposals to prevent disease, reduce health disparities, and foster equitable access to therapies and technologies. 

Learn more about CBSA’s 2021 state and federal policy priorities.

Categories: CBSA News