Denver Metro Chamber: "An Open Letter to Colorado’s Elected Leaders"

Dear Friends:
Election Day 2010 has come and gone. The political ads and debates that commanded our attention are over, and those who will be leading our state and nation forward have been selected and are poised to begin their work. Our focus now turns to the future and what we as Coloradans can do together to ensure that our state grows and prospers.

In that effort, we – business leaders, labor unions, non-profit organizations and advocacy groups – pledge to be mindful that understanding how we approach each other, and our elected officials, as we map the road ahead is as critical as the methods we suggest and the outcomes we choose.

We write today as organizations committed to approaching the coming session of the Colorado General Assembly, and our interaction with the 112th Congress, in a thoughtful and respect-filled manner. We understand that the challenges faced by our state and nation are many and the solutions, in some cases, are too few. However, we know that direct attacks and unfounded statements that are uttered in the heat of debate are harmful and only lead to further deterioration of the civility and respect that should be the cornerstone of our democratic processes.

We urge our elected officials, both in Colorado and those representing the Centennial State in Washington, D.C., to commit to this same pledge. Challenges will rise, viewpoints will differ, and lines will be drawn. In those inevitable challenging times, we respectfully request that we all commit to rise above the rhetoric and negativity and focus on finding solutions that are to the betterment of Colorado and the country as a whole.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can address our challenges. Join us.

Respectfully,
Action 22
Associated General Contractors of Colorado
The Bell Policy Center
Castle Rock Economic Development Corporation
Centennial Area Health Education Center
Central Colorado Area Health Education Office
Club 20
Colorado AFL-CIO
Colorado Area Health Education Center
Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI)
Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors
Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB)
Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE)
Colorado Bankers Association
The Colorado Bar Association
Colorado Center on Law and Policy
Colorado Children’s Campaign
Colorado Competitive Council (C3)
Colorado Concern
Colorado Contractors Association
Colorado Education Association (CEA)
Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute
The Colorado Forum
Colorado Health Foundation
Colorado Hospital Association
Colorado Mining Association
Colorado Petroleum Association
Colorado Realtors Association
Colorado Restaurant Association
Colorado Succeeds
Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Workers for Innovation and New Solutions (WINS)
Communications Workers of America District 7
Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Denver Metro Small Business Development Center
Downtown Denver Partnership
Economic Development Council of Colorado
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
GreenCO
Housing Colorado
Independent Electrical Contractors- Rocky Mountain Chapter
Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation
Metro North Chamber
Move Colorado
NAIOP–Colorado
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Pipefitters Local 208
Progressive 15
Pueblo Economic Development Corporation
SEIU Colorado
South Metro Denver Chamber
South Metro Denver Economic Development Group
Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center
Urban Land Institute, Rocky Mountain District Council
VISIT Denver
West Chamber serving Jefferson County
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center