Advocacy

Protecting Colorado Hotels

When government decisions affect Colorado hotels, CHLA is at the table.

Operating a hotel in Colorado is increasingly affected by decisions made at the State Capitol, in regulatory agencies and in local governments. New laws and regulations can have significant consequences for labor costs, taxes, building operations, energy use, pricing, employment practices and virtually every aspect of running a hotel.

CHLA gives Colorado's lodging industry a strong, unified voice in those conversations.

We work directly with policymakers, retain experienced government-affairs professionals, build coalitions with other business organizations, engage legal and regulatory experts, and mobilize Colorado's hotel industry when its voice needs to be heard.

Most importantly, we get results.

CHLA has helped defeat proposals that would have dramatically increased the cost and complexity of operating a hotel, secured significant amendments to others, and worked to make legislation that ultimately became law more workable for our industry.

Advocacy in Action

Our work isn't theoretical. Here are just a few of the issues where CHLA has been fighting for Colorado hotels.

Protecting Hotels from Costly New Employer Mandates

In 2026, CHLA helped defeat HB26-1327, which would have imposed a first-in-the-nation annual fee of $2,300 for every employee receiving Medicaid benefits on large employers.

For hotels with significant workforces, the proposal had the potential to create an enormous new annual expense.

The proposal was defeated.

Fighting New Lodging and Property Taxes

As originally introduced, SB26-116 threatened significant property-tax increases for condo hotels and included a new state-administered lodging-tax structure for municipalities.

CHLA worked aggressively throughout the legislative process to oppose these provisions.

Both provisions were removed before the legislation passed.

Preserving Flexibility for a 24/7 Industry

Hotels don't operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. Guest demand changes, occupancy fluctuates and hotel teams need the ability to respond.

CHLA and our business partners have repeatedly fought proposals imposing sweeping scheduling mandates on employers that could limit the flexibility essential to hotel operations.

Representing Hotel Employers

Colorado continues to consider and enact significant changes to employment law, wage-and-hour enforcement and workplace requirements.

CHLA actively engages throughout the legislative and regulatory process on proposals affecting hotel employers — including wage-and-hour liability, workplace standards, scheduling requirements and changes to Colorado's Labor Peace Act.

We also work to ensure our members understand new requirements and have access to legal and compliance resources when laws change.

Protecting Hotel Pricing & Loyalty Programs

Legislation regulating pricing practices, mandatory-fee disclosures, consumer data and loyalty programs can have significant and sometimes unintended consequences for hotels.

CHLA engages directly on these proposals to make sure policymakers understand how they would affect hotel operations, guests, loyalty programs and the broader lodging industry.

Taking the Fight to Court When Necessary

CHLA's advocacy doesn't stop at the State Capitol.

CHLA and our coalition partners have taken the extraordinary step of filing a federal lawsuit challenging Colorado Regulation 28 and Denver's Energize Denver requirements.

These building-performance mandates could require hotels to make extraordinarily costly changes to building systems and equipment. CHLA and our coalition are challenging the requirements under federal energy law and investing significant resources in the litigation because the potential financial consequences for Colorado hotels are enormous.

A federal magistrate judge has recommended that the vast majority of the coalition's case be allowed to proceed.

The litigation remains ongoing, and CHLA will continue fighting to protect Colorado hotels as the case moves forward.

How CHLA Advocates for You

Effective advocacy requires more than showing up when a difficult bill is introduced. CHLA works year-round to make sure Colorado hotels are represented before decisions are made.

Our advocacy includes:

• Direct lobbying at the Colorado General Assembly and with state agencies

• Local advocacy on policies affecting hotels and hospitality businesses

• Coalition building with other business and industry organizations

• Legal and regulatory engagement on complex issues affecting hotel operations

• Member mobilization when policymakers need to hear directly from Colorado hoteliers

• Timely legislative and regulatory updates so members know what is changing and what it means for their properties

• Legal and compliance resources to help members navigate new requirements

• Federal coordination with the American Hotel & Lodging Association on national issues affecting the lodging industry

A Stronger Voice Because of Our Members

Our ability to advocate effectively depends on the strength and participation of Colorado's lodging community.

Every hotel that joins CHLA strengthens our voice, expands our reach and gives us greater resources to take on the legislative, regulatory and legal challenges facing our industry.

Don't wait until the next costly mandate is introduced to decide that advocacy matters.

Colorado hotels are stronger when we stand together.

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