Small Business Navigator bill clears first hurdle

Tuesday, House Bill 1209, a bill to assist and promote small business in Colorado, passed the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee. The bill calls for the creation of a “Small Business Navigator” information and referral service for the state’s small businesses.

Specifically, the bill directs the state’s Small Business Assistance Center (SBAC) to set up the Small Business Navigator. The SBAC is a branch of the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The Navigator, in brief, is described as a “single point of contact” that would be able to assist small businesses with the following:

● Diagnosing problems
● Streamlining referrals to small business development centers
● Streamlining referrals to the Colorado Credit Reserve (CCR) program and/or the federal Small
● Business Credit Initiative
● Providing information about state contracting offices, processes and rules
● Conducting follow-up with businesses as needed

HB-1209 passed the state House of Representatives by a 59-6 vote.