Re: “Pick the low bid, not the local bid,” Feb. 19 editorial.
It’s rare that I thank a newspaper for criticizing a bill I’ve sponsored. But The Denver Post’s recent editorial brings up the incredibly important issue of who should have the best chance to get jobs on large state contracts.
I am sponsoring Senate Bill 1, the HIRE Colorado Act (Helping Individuals Realize Employment), because when I talk with constituents in Arvada and Westminster, they tell me they want their taxpayer dollars going to hire Coloradans first.
Last year, the state spent more than $794 million on contracts with out-of-state companies. We need to use that money to hire Colorado workers before hiring people from other states. It’s not only the right thing to do; it’s also the smart thing to do. Money paid to Colorado workers supports local businesses and creates even more local jobs.
The Post was right in saying, “In a competitive global marketplace, we should be doing more to expand opportunities for companies.” But it was wrong to say that this bill would grant preferences on state contracts to just Colorado companies. The HIRE Colorado Act gives an advantage to any company that agrees to have Coloradans be 90 percent of the workers on the job for which it is bidding.
That’s the key difference between this bill and a similar bill from last session. This bill is focused on Colorado workers, not on companies. This bill gives out-of-state companies a new reason to do business in Colorado, while making local companies more competitive with other states that have already put bid preferences in place.
I will continue fighting to help Coloradans find work. I’m proud of the HIRE Colorado Act because it will do just that.
I appreciate the attention The Post has given this issue. We’re all pulling toward the same goal. The Post’s editorial will make this a better bill and help us put Coloradans to work.
To learn more about the HIRE Colorado Act, go at .
Sen. Evie Hudak is a Democrat who represents Senate District 19.
