A Longmont-backed piece of legislation that makes it easier for undocumented Coloradans to access business licenses is now headed for Gov. Jared Polis’s desk. Proponents say SB21-199 will help eliminate unnecessary barriers and help immigrant businesses prosper.
“We are urging Gov. Polis to sign this legislation quickly,” said LIsa Marlow, spokeswoman for the Small Business Majority, a national group that promotes equitable small business growth, according to the organization’s news release.
Longmont City Council — which publicly endorses relevant legislation — felt so strongly about SB21-199 it issued a proclamation in April, supporting the bill, said Sandi Seader, assistant city manager.
The resolution states that Longmont is home to an estimated 2,675 immigrant families and more than 500 Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, holders. But qualified immigrant workers in the city are barred from accessing occupational licenses that promote public health and safety of the community under current law, the resolution states.
Laws also barred immigrant residents in Longmont for accessing loans, grants and contracts. Legislation including SB21-199 will help residents contribute “meaningfully in the recovery of Colorado's economy,” the resolution states. The new legislation will largely lift those rules.
“The capacity to compete for jobs with other states and attract investment that creates economic development initiatives from which all Coloradans benefit depends on accessing and utilizing all available talent,” the city’s resolution states.
Colorado has more than 32,000 immigrant small businesses, which employ more than 100,000 Coloradans, the Small Business Majority states in its news release. Existing statutes prevent undocumented, immigrant business owners from establishing legal entities because they must verify their legal status when applying for professional and commercial licenses, the news release states.
The statute also prevents undocumented employees from holding occupational licenses, the news release states.
“The American Dream should be available to everyone, regardless of their immigation status. And our economy should be inclusive, whether someone is a citizen or not,” the group states.
