Building off of these trends, the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC), has collaborated with policymakers like James Coleman (D) and Jack Tate (R) to introduce HB17-1214, Encouraging Employee Ownership of Existing Business. The bill would create a revolving loan to assist businesses with conversion fees. It would also require that staff members of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade receive training in the basics of employee ownership, so that they could recommend it as a succession planning tool. RMEOC believes that Colorado has an opportunity to preserve our locally-owned small businesses, and we are dedicated to educating as many people as possible about this opportunity To that end, RMEOC is partnering with Democracy at Work Institute and Workers to Owners to host a full-day conference for small business owners, small business advisors and economic developers on April 3, 2017. Experts from across the country will convene to impart valuable information on why employee ownership is good for businesses and good for helping build strong locally-owned economies.

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