Colorado Business Regulations and Government Overreach

On this Tuesday, July 25, 2023 broadcast, Kim Monson examines the growing burden of government regulation on Colorado businesses. Roger Hays, CEO of Passio HR, details how 681 new laws proposed by the Colorado legislature are crushing entrepreneurs, while Susan Kochevar of 88 Drive-In Theater discusses the cultural significance of the film Sound of Freedom and shifts in Hollywood.

Sound of Freedom and Cultural Shifts in Entertainment

Start listening at 58:59 – Hour 2

Susan Kochevar, entrepreneur and owner of 88 Drive-In Theater, provides insight into the entertainment industry’s transformation. The film Sound of Freedom, dealing with child trafficking, has grossed over $100 million despite coming from tiny Angel Studios rather than a major Hollywood production company. Kochevar notes this demonstrates Americans are awake and seeking serious content with meaningful messages.

The ongoing writers’ strike threatens to collapse the entire theater industry if not resolved soon, as productions have halted and the content pipeline is drying up. However, Kochevar sees hope in new studios like Angel Studios and independent productions from actors like Kevin Sorbo challenging Hollywood’s monopoly. She observes a significant cultural shift, with audiences supporting films that further their understanding of important issues rather than pure escapism.

The discussion extends to local government overreach, including a Rhode Island law requiring all independent contractors to register with the state and pay fees, with felony charges for non-compliance. Kochevar predicts similar legislation will appear in Colorado’s next legislative session, representing another attack on entrepreneurship and individual freedom.

“It shows that the Americans are actually awake. They want something, they understand and will buy something serious that furthers their education, understanding of what’s happening.”

Susan Kochevar, Owner of 88 Drive-In Theater

Colorado’s Legislative Assault on Small Business

Start listening at 29:58 – Hour 1

Roger Hays, CEO and President of Passio HR, exposes how Colorado’s legislature has become hostile to business owners. His company helps small to mid-sized businesses navigate the increasingly complex web of compliance requirements, from human resources and payroll to health plans and 401k programs. Hays explains that the legislature passes laws based on emotion rather than common sense, rarely considering the unintended consequences that inevitably follow.

The discussion reveals how special interest groups, including the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and labor unions, are writing legislation that legislators then carry forward. These bills expand programs like paid sick leave and the FAMLI program, creating massive government bureaucracies. Hays notes that the Colorado Department of Labor has hired approximately 130 new employees just to administer the FAMLI program, with costs ultimately passed to taxpayers and consumers.

The conversation turns to minimum wage laws and their devastating effects on entry-level employment. Hays describes how businesses respond to mandated wage increases by automating, citing McDonald’s reduction of staff from 15 employees to 3 through kiosk installations. This eliminates opportunities for young people to gain work experience and develop essential job skills.

“The real cost of the state is the prosperity that we do not see, the jobs that don’t exist, the technologies to which we do not have access, the businesses that do not come into existence, and a bright future that is stolen from us.”

Frederic Bastiat, as quoted by Roger Hays