DCBA Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) was formed by the Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Parker Chambers, the Castle Rock and Parker Economic Development Councils, and the South East Business Partnership (SEBP) to provide a unified voice at the state level for the businesses in Douglas County.  The DCBA facilitates education and communication between you, our members, and Douglas County elected officials.

Business Friendly Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) believes that an environment that is friendly to businesses is imperative to the economic development of the region. Further, DCBA believes that fiscal restraint, sustainability, stability, simplicity and prioritization of programs and funding must be the guiding principles for setting the State of Colorado's tax and fee policies, as well as for spending policy.

DCBA will:

• Monitor legislation to increase the severance tax and utilization of those monies.

• Evaluate the structure of the state government and find opportunities to re-structure, streamline or eliminate programs and processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance accountability.

• Understand and consider the impact of tax and fiscal policy and the overall tax and regulatory burden on economic development and business activity in Colorado.

• Seek reform of the current tax and regulatory system, including how fees and costs are assessed, to allow for an equitable environment in which individuals and businesses in similar situations are taxed and regulated in a similar manner.

• Encourage reform of the current tax, regulatory and fee imposing system to create an equitable environment for businesses which have been hurt by the current conflicts between TABOR, Amendment 23 and Gallagher constitutional amendments.

• Monitor legislation to establish a "rainy day fund" for years in which the state experiences an economic downturn.

• Evaluate the Business Personal Property Tax and find a solution to eliminate the tax burden on businesses while ensuring that local government revenues are not placed in jeopardy.

The DCBA will also monitor legislation on the following subject matters:

• Business
  - Illegal Immigration
  - Wages 
  - Telecommunication 
  - Insurance
  - Workers' compensation

• Economic Development
  - Keep the cost of doing business low
  - Fees appropriate only to support the impacts of the business and residential community they serve
  - Development of infrastructure to keep pace with growth
  - State incentive efforts

• Environment
  - Growth limits/restraints
  - Balance between development and open space/parks

• Government
  - Local control and decision-making on issues related to growth
  - Land use regulations
  - Comprehensive advisory master planning that guides growth and is responsive to marketplace demands
  - Continued investment by government and local communities in the infrastructure necessary to support development
  - Special Districts
  - Regulatory barriers
  - Growth regulations
  - RTA's

• Tourism

Energy Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance believes that reliable and cost efficient energy sources are vital to economic development and retention of businesses in Douglas County. Businesses should not be faced with electric outages, brown-outs, and shortages impacting on-going operations within their company, Public utilities must be accountable to their business and corporate customers, serving present and future needs. To that end:

• DCBA support the creation and use of all energy sources that are reliable and affordable, in the areas of:
  - Hydroelectric
  - Wind
  - Ethanol
  - Biomass gasification
  - Solar
  - Co-generation options

• DCBA supports public policy that utilizes the vast natural resources available in this state for energy production, including:
  - Climate conditions, wind and sun
  - Water power for hydroelectric and steam generation
  - Crops which can be converted to alternate fuels
  - Coal and its by-products
  - Oil shale, natural gas and petroleum exploration and production
  
• DCBA encourages the state to implement economic and incentive programs to state universities and the private sector for the development of energy solutions

• DCBA supports the use of state lands for research and development of environmentally safe alternate energy sources such as wind, solar and water

Water Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) recognizes the critical importance of a safe and continuous water supply for the economic well being of a growing society. This precious commodity must be safeguarded, conserved, stored and used wisely to assure healthy economic development and life style currently enjoyed within the county.

• DCBA supports the cooperation of the towns and water districts within the county working toward a mutual solution to the growing need for renewable water supplies.

• DCBA supports the development of water storage and transmission projects that can benefit multiple water providers.

• DCBA recognizes that the development of renewable surface water supplies is necessary for future residents of the county to enjoy a sustainable economy and lifestyle.

• DCBA supports the concept of water reuse.

• DCBA encourages the development of short term and long-term goals for water quality and conservation improvements.

• DCBA supports water policies that ensure sustainable water supplies that will support long-term growth and development to the state and the county.

• DCBA recognizes that the Denver Basin ground water aquifers are finite in nature and should be used only as an interim supply until a renewable source of surface water can be imported into the county and as drought supply in the long-term future.

• DCBA recognizes that water legislation can be detrimental to the development of renewable surface water and will oppose legislation that will deter development and transmission of such water into the county.

• DCBA supports incentives for conservation and penalties for excessive consumption by end users.
  

Healthcare Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) supports the goal of a healthcare system that is affordable, accessible, and provides quality healthcare to Coloradoans. The DCBA seek to ensure that any increases in the cost of healthcare will provide a clear benefit to the business community.

The DCBA will monitor:

• All healthcare proposals

• Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement issues

• Prescription cost for seniors, fixed, and low income individuals

• Access to healthcare and insurance

• No Fault Insurance

• Tort Reform
  

Transportation Policy Statements

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) believes that an efficient transportation system is an essential component in the creation and maintenance of a healthy business climate. The ongoing maintenance and upgrades of existing roads, as well as the construction of new roadways, are critical pieces of an overall transportation plan. Additionally, continued development of multimodal forms of transit should be considered where viable.

The DCBA supports:

• Development and implementation of a comprehensive transportation plan for Douglas County that prioritizes the county's overall transportation needs. The plan should be updated on a continual basis.

• Evaluating the expansion of the localized transit options that provide links with regional transit.

• Integration of a county-wide transportation plan with a bikeway and pedestrian trail.

• Maintain communications and seek relationships with the Regional Transportation District (e.g., Fastracks) to enhance transportation between Douglas County communities and the greater metropolitan area.

• A statewide approach to transportation funding, recognizing the importance of transportation to all citizens of Colorado and the economic vitality of the state.

• Increased federal, state, and local funding for transportation improvements, to compensate for inadequate funding of these improvements in recent years. Evaluate sources of revenue for additional funding of transportation needs.

• Supports the identification of sustainable transportation funding sources and other viable alternatives.

• Monitoring legislation that reduces the percentage of the budget at the federal, state, and local levels allotted for transportation.
  

Education Policy Statement

The Douglas County Business Alliance (DCBA) believes that education is a primary component of economic development. Access to a quality education for all Coloradoans is heartily supported. As such, DCBA supports efforts that will provide cost-effective and accountable alternatives for strengthening the education system.

K-12 Policy

• DCBA supports the efforts of Douglas County School District (DCSD) to continue its leadership regarding educational accomplishments within its region.

• DCBA supports efforts to retain teachers and provide recruitment strategies.

• DCBA will help foster school/business partnerships and supports the efforts of DCSD to provide partnerships of administrators, teachers, and industry leaders in attaining common goals.

• DCBA supports the efforts of education to increase the effectiveness of teaching in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• DCBA supports the efforts to increase high school graduation rates.

• DCBA supports cost effective use of multiple resources to enhance K-12 education.

• DCBA supports alternatives to a traditional college education.

Higher Education Policy

• DCBA will support cost effective efforts to improve the financial situation of institutions of higher education.

• DCBA will assist in establishing higher education and Douglas County business partnerships.

• DCBA will assist in establishing vocational and Douglas County business partnerships.

• DCBA supports non-traditional secondary educational opportunities such as trade, vocational and technical training.

• DCBA will monitor other issues such as:
  - Charter schools
  - School-of-choice
  - Online education
  - Incentives for workforce development