A day after a new economic forecast told Coloradans to lower their expectations for growth and prosperity, a study released by the state’s chamber of commerce offered insights as to why that might be.

As reported by The Gazette, a study commissioned by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce found that ours is the sixth-most regulated state in the country. Nearly half of its roughly 200,000 regulations are “excessive or duplicative.” 

So, Colorado is choking on regulations enacted by the Legislature and state bureaucrats — while it’s facing downbeat economic prospects in years to come. Do you think the two just might be connected? Bet on it.

As The Gazette reported Monday, CU-Boulder’s Business Research Division concluded in its 60th annual outlook that Colorado’s economy is growing, but falling behind in several areas.

“Slower growth, though, may be the new reality for Colorado as population growth, especially through net migration, remains slow, creating headwinds for labor force and job growth,” the report said.

For example, Colorado has dropped to the bottom 10 states for real GDP (No. 41) and home price growth over 2024 (No. 49). And it was among the bottom 20 for personal income and unemployment.

Stay up to speed: Sign up for daily opinion in your inbox Monday-Friday

Meanwhile, the chamber’s study is calling out Colorado policymakers’ regulatory reflex — which likely is scaring prospective employers and other investments away from the state.

Economic sectors like pipeline transportation, personal services, chemical manufacturing, utilities, and petroleum and coal products manufacturing are seven times “more regulated” than is the case in the median state in those same industries, the study found.

In the non-metallic, mineral manufacturing sector alone, for example, the number of regulations in the median U.S. state is nearly 400. In Colorado, it tops 3,000.

Same goes for “environmental regulation,” the chamber study said. Colorado ranks among the most regulated states in America, “even surpassing New York in terms of regulatory burden,” the report said.

By the way, the pace of adding new regulations has “surged,” from 2020 to 2023, according to the report.

Colorado has yet to reach California-style levels of regulation, the study concluded, but “is moving in that direction.”

As also noted in The Gazette’s report, the chamber isn’t sitting still and intends to take it up with the Legislature in the coming session. Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman said the chamber is preparing a “bold legislative package to tackle this growing burden.”

“Colorado’s regulations are consistently the top concern in every business survey we’ve conducted in recent years,” Furman said. “If we don’t get our regulatory climate under control, we’re putting future jobs and economic growth at risk.”

No kidding — and kudos to the chamber for spotlighting the issue.

Let’s just hope that, for a change, the concerns don’t fall on deaf ears at the state Capitol. The outlook isn’t bright in that regard, either.

All Colorado statewide elected offices and both chambers of the Legislature have been under the control of the Democratic Party for years. That’s despite nearly twice as many Colorado voters registering unaffiliated — rather than with either Republican or Democratic parties.

Meaning, policymaking control has rested in the hands of a minority party long known for its indifference — and, at times, even hostility — toward the private-sector employers who create most Colorado jobs and drive its economy. Ruling Democrats in fact have shown a penchant for regulating just about any endeavor that generates income, jobs and revenue.

Is it any wonder there are dark clouds on the horizon?

Denver Gazette Editorial Board