This letter was sent to Yellow Scene Magazine. As with all Letters to the Editor, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. We value providing space for community voices

Louisville Chamber of Commerce (10/22/25)

Connect. Advocate. Promote.

Why We Oppose the Ballot Measures 300/301

The Louisville Chamber stands in opposition to ballot measures 300/301 because they would have serious unintended consequences for our city’s affordability, business community, and economic vitality.

While well-intentioned, these proposals would make it harder—not easier—to build affordable housing, raise development costs, and discourage new investment in our local business community. By slowing responsible growth and adding costly new regulations, they would hurt the small businesses and service providers that depend on a vibrant, expanding local economy.

Importantly, the Chamber is not alone in this view. The entire Louisville City Council, along with AdventHealth Avista Hospital, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, the Downtown Business Association, the Sierra Club, Thistle Community Housing, Together Colorado, and YIMBY North Metro. In addition, numerous community and business leaders have voiced strong opposition to these measures because they recognize the long-term harm they would cause to affordability and opportunity.

Louisville’s success has always come from collaboration, not mandates. We believe in policies that expand opportunity for all: creating homes people can afford, spaces where businesses can thrive, and a strong, sustainable local economy that benefits everyone.

“These measures may sound appealing on the surface, but they would hurt the small businesses that make Louisville thrive, raise costs on employers, and halt affordable housing. We stand with the City Council, AdventHealth Avista Hospital, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, the Sierra Club, and other business and community leaders in opposing 300/301.”

— Gillian Millar, Executive Director, Louisville Chamber of Commerce

We urge residents to learn more and join us in voting “No on 300/301” to keep Louisville growing responsibly, affordably, and inclusively.

(Learn more at louisvilletogether.org)

If interested in supporting our advocacy efforts please swing by to collect flyers and yard signs from the Chamber at 901 Main Street: Tue – Thur (9:30 – 4:30)

MORE INFO:

Advocacy Brief: Chamber Position on 2025 Ballot Measures

The Louisville Chamber of Commerce opposes Ballot Measures 300/301 for the following reasons:

1. They would stall affordable housing projects.

The 30% affordability mandate is among the highest in the nation and would make most projects financially unfeasible. Instead of increasing affordable units, it risks eliminating them altogether—worsening the housing shortage and pushing families, seniors, and workers out of Louisville.

2. They would raise development costs and reduce investment.

The “Development Pays Its Own Way” proposal would dramatically increase fees on new projects. These added costs discourage both commercial and mixed-use development and shift growth to neighboring cities, making Louisville less competitive and reducing future tax revenues.

3. They create a ripple effect that hurts local businesses.

When development slows, so does demand for local services—from contractors and realtors to restaurants, retailers, and professional firms. Reduced business investment means fewer customers, less foot traffic, and lower sales tax revenue that supports essential city services.

4. They undermine years of community planning and collaboration.

The measures bypass extensive public planning work and add rigid mandates without council support or feasibility studies. Louisville already has a balanced, community-driven Comprehensive Plan designed to grow housing and business opportunity together.

5. We stand with Louisville’s leaders and community partners.

The Chamber joins the Louisville City Council, affordable housing experts, nonprofit partners, and a broad coalition of residents and employers who all oppose these measures. This shared opposition reflects a unified concern that the initiatives would do lasting harm to housing affordability, economic growth, and community balance.

The Chamber’s Position:

We respectfully urge a “No on 300/301” vote to protect affordability, business vitality, and the long-term health of our local economy. We support solutions that grow jobs, housing, and opportunity together — not ordinances that restrict development and make living here more expensive.

The post Letter to the Editor: Why We Oppose 300 and 301 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

NEWS RELEASE
April 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Northwest Chamber Alliance supports SB25-161: Transit Reform

The Northwest Chamber Alliance advocates for the passage of House Bill 161 for Transit Reform, moving Colorado further towards ridership and sustainability goals

BOULDER, Colo. – Today, the Northwest Chamber Alliance announced its support of SB25–161: Transit Reform for our regional business community.

The Northwest Chamber Alliance advocates for regional business interests with a unified voice. Transportation is a critical need for our regional workforce, as well as our state. The need for RTD transparency, good governance, and enhanced ridership are all aspects of SB25-161: Transit Reform, that our 7 chambers can support and will continue to advocate for with a unified voice to our business community.

“Every member of our Northwest Chamber Alliance wants RTD to succeed in their transit service mission,” said John Tayer, President and CEO of the Boulder Chamber. “It’s critical to the mobility of our regional workforce. It’s critical to our shared regional economic vitality mission. And while we recognize that RTD is making strides in service improvements, SB25-161 and HB24-1447 will provide greater assurance that RTD’s transit investments are fully transparent and aligned with other regional transportation goals. That is how we build business community confidence in the efficiency and effectiveness of our regional transit system.”

“Transit equity is economic equity. SB25-161 represents a critical step toward building a more accessible, affordable, and sustainable transit system for all Coloradans—especially for those in historically underserved communities. At the Latino Chamber of Commerce, we believe that better transit means better access to jobs, education, and opportunity,” said Carla Colin, President of the Latino Chamber of Commerce Boulder County.

“SB25-161 moves RTD in the right direction—more accountability, better service, and stronger community partnerships. Reliable, connected transit is essential for meeting the workforce and customer needs of Superior’s businesses,” said Renee Alaniz, Executive Director of the Superior Chamber of Commerce.

The benefits of SB25-161 for our Northwest Chamber Alliance business community are…

1) Accountability Reform, by implementing increased oversight, SB25-161 makes sure RTD practices improved governance structure
2) Expanded access to EcoPasses and Low-Income Programs, will increase accessibility to transit for our workforce
3) Transparency: By implementing public dashboards, passengers get real-time data, meaning users can more readily access and track transit performance and safety
4) Increased Affordable Housing: SB25-161 plans to accelerate the rate of development for transit-oriented communities, increasing walkability and ridership bringing us closer to our state climate goals.
5) Shorter Wait: SB25-161 addresses the need for more frequent routes, getting riders to their destinations in a timelier manner

About the Northwest Chamber Alliance
The Northwest Chamber Alliance – comprised of the Boulder Chamber, Broomfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Latino Chamber of Boulder County, Louisville Chamber of Commerce, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, and Superior Chamber of Commerce – was formed in 2016 as a coalition of chambers focused on regional issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life. The Northwest Chamber Alliance member chambers of commerce represent approximately 380,000 employees and 3,700 businesses, ranging from large international corporations to small businesses, startups, nonprofits and public institutions.

Contacts
John Tayer, Boulder Chamber President and CEO: 303-919-2248
Katey McNeil, Executive Director of the Lafayette Chamber: 303-666-9555
Carla Colin, President, Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County: 720-385-8221
Leslie Espinoza, Executive Director, Superior Chamber of Commerce: 303-554-0789 x1
Gillian Millar, Executive Director, Louisville Chamber of Commerce: (303) 666-5747
Scott Cook, CEO, Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce: 720-864-2872

The post The Northwest Chamber Alliance supports SB25-161: Transit Reform appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Spring has arrived and we will be celebrating in style throughout the month of May into June. The brand-new Taste of Louisville will feature a spectacular al fresco dinner served on a community table stretched out across the length Main Street, outdoor Silent Disco, a reinvented 5K Fun Run and Dog Jog, Summer Fest, and a month of exploring the best tastes in town with our first-ever dining and drinking passport and prizes program. It’s summer, it’s Louisville, it’s time to get the party started.

Taste of Louisville is a beloved annual event going back decades. When it first began, Taste was just a few food carts giving away samples to celebrate the local restaurant cuisine. But new regulations around food events have inspired the Louisville Chamber of Commerce, as part of their revised strategic plan, to reimagine the scope of this event.

As Louisville’s residents and business community work hard to recover from Covid and the Marshall Fire community partnerships are at the center of the story. According to Eric Lund, Executive Director of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce, “Partnership and collaboration are the key to the reimagined event this year. From start to finish there are multiple opportunities for all our chamber member businesses to get involved in some aspect of the month-long celebration while providing a unique set of events for our community to gather and celebrate. There really is something for everyone this year at our reimagined Taste of Louisville month.”

We will celebrate restaurants, cafes, breweries, and entertainment venues all month long with the Louisville Taste Trail Passport for Prizes program which begins on May 1 st and goes through the end of May. On June 2nd the Taste program continues with ‘Dinner on Main’ our brand-new outdoor community dining experience featuring a tasting menu from numerous local restaurants, followed by a Silent Disco after party. The next day, June 3rd at 9am, to work off all the delicious tastes, we have a 5K Fun Run and Dog Jog where we encourage the community to wear costumes, bring their pup or simply come and cheer on their fellow runners. The program reaches the finale on Saturday with the Louisville Summer Fest showcasing the best of Louisville from businesses to community groups and more!

Louisville Chamber of Commerce Taste of Louisville 5/1/23 – 6/3/23

LOUISVILLE TASTE TRAIL

Celebrating the Best Tastes of Louisville – Month of May
Taste Passport – Collect Stamps for Prizes – Vote on the Best Tastes in Town

……………………………………..
DINNER ON MAIN

Join us as one community at one table – Friday, 2nd June, 6pm-8pm
Dine at the longest table in town – Tasting menu presented by local restaurants

……………………………………..
SILENT DISCO

3 Channels – 3 DJs – Friday, 2nd June, 8-10pm
Playing hits from the decades – all ages welcome to party on Main!

……………………………………..
5k FUN RUN & DOG JOG
Saturday, 3rd June, from 9am – 11am

Traditional 5k then family fun run with dog’s welcome* Costumes encouraged!
(*Well behaved dogs on leash that are comfortable with loud noise and crowds only please)

……………………………………..
LOUISVILLE SUMMER FEST
Saturday, June 3rd, 10am – 4pm

Live Music, Community Performances, Spaghetti Eating Contest, Treasure Hunt,
Interactive Booths, Best of Louisville Awards and so much more!
In partnership with Louisville Farmers Market & Craft Market

EVENT DETAILS:

LOUISVILLE TASTE TRAIL – MONTH OF MAY

CELEBRATING THE BEST TASTES IN LOUISVILLE WITH OUR PASSPORT FOR PRIZES
Explore the Best Tastes of Louisville for the month of May
Cafes, restaurants, entertainment venues, bars and breweries are showcasing their signature food and beverages along with promotions throughout the month of May. We invite our community to participate by collecting stamps on a Taste Passport which can be submitted for awesome prizes including a grand prize of 2 nights stay at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Passports are available to collect from participating venues.

BEST TASTES OF “LOUISVILLE TASTE TRAIL” COMPETITION
We invite the community to take this opportunity to show their love for their favorite places in town. Voting for the best tastes in town is another chance to snag some prizes with up to $100 per gift card from local participating vendors.

CATEGORIES

• Best Baked Goods
• Best Appetizer
• Best Entrée
• Best Desert
• Best Coffee
• Best Cocktail
• Best Beer
• Best Take Out
• Best Entertainment
• Best Family Hangout

DINNER ON MAIN & SILENT DISCO AFTER PARTY!

FRIDAY, 2ND JUNE, 6pm – 10pm

Dine at the longest table in Louisville followed by Silent Disco after party

According to Paul Rossi, Owner of Rocky Mountain Tap & Garden. “We are really looking forward to gathering our community together to deliver a community dining experience as never before seen in Louisville.”

Introducing the longest table, “Dinner on Main” in Louisville!

We are inviting our community to be part of history as we join as one community at one very long table to enjoy a tasting menu crafted by favorite Louisville Chamber Restaurants. Proceeds to local non-profit Louisville Rising.

After dinner, Main Street will open for a free 3 channel silent disco playing hits from different decades so there is something for everyone to dance to. “It’s been a tough time for many in our town and what better way to kick off summer than to gather together, put down your worries for one night and dance down Main!” said Gillian Millar, owner of Big Little Sound Silent Disco. We’ll also have a walk-up bar on Main Street by Por Wine House, Crystal Springs Brewing Co. and Gravity Brewing.

Full list of participating vendors will be available at TheLouisvilleChamber.com

This project is led by chamber members Rocky Mountain Tap & Garden, Big Little Sound Silent Disco & Por Wine House.

Tickets: https://DinnerOnMain2023.eventbrite.com

5K FUN RUN & DOG JOG
SATURDAY, 3RD JUNE, 9:00am Start
At Main St. & Pine St.

The traditional Taste of Louisville 5k race is getting revitalized. With two starts, one for more serious runners then a second start for families and folks that want to go at their own pace. New this year we’re encouraging our community to bring their dog for a jog. (well-behaved ones of course!) along with fun water stations and music along the way.
https://5KFunRunandDogJog2023.eventbrite.com

LOUISVILLE SUMMER FEST
SATURDAY, 3RD JUNE 10am – 4pm
On Main Street, Downtown Louisville

Completing the Taste of Louisville month everyone is invited for a free event as Front Street and Main Street will be closed for the day to celebrate the best of Louisville.

Our chamber members will be showcasing their business with each booth having an interactive element for all to enjoy. We’ll have live music provided by The Louisville Underground, along with the awards ceremony for the Best Taste Competition and we’re bringing back the traditional Spaghetti Eating Contest by Zucca Italian Ristorante. Down the Rabbit Hole Recreation Services is partnering with the Historical Society for a free treasure hunt around town. The Farmers market and craft market will be in full flow in the morning showcasing locally grown and crafted products and we’ll have local performances at the Steinbaugh Pavilion including Center Court Stage Company and Mountain Kids Dance.

Full line of events will be listed in advance at LouisvilleChamber.com

FIND OUT MORE
To learn more about these events visit TheLouisvilleChamber.com or on Facebook @LouisvilleChamber.
Best Tastes Passport, Summer Fest & The Silent Disco are free events.
Tickets Available https://louisvillechamber.com/taste-of-louisville/
• 5k Fun Run & Jog https://5KFunRunandDogJog2023.eventbrite.com
• Dinner on Main https://DinnerOnMain2023.eventbrite.com

Businesses can participate by emailing Eric@LouisvilleChamber.com
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Register for Booth at Summer Fest (member and non-member rates)

ABOUT LOUISVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Louisville Chamber of Commerce has been developing and reimagining the future of the chamber as the city of Louisville develops, changes and recovers. Our new strategic plan was announced at the end of the year and is being rolled out over the next 2 years. The focus is to CONNECT, ADVOCATE and PROMOTE their members. “The revised Taste of Louisville month of events is just one aspect of our reimagined chamber strategy where our focus is to Connect, Advocate and Promote on behalf of our members whilst serving the community we work in.” commented Eric Lund, Executive Director of The Louisville Chamber of Commerce.

All Partnership to Date: Presented by Waste Connections of Colorado. Supported by Ariel IT, Fox Property Management, E&L Team of REMAX Elevate, Marc Sisler of State Farm & Centura -Avista Adventist Hospital Vendor Partnerships: Rocky Mountain Tap & Garden, Big Little Sound Silent Disco, Por Wine House, Ball Aluminum Cups Bar Partnerships: Crystal Spring Brewing CO., Gravity Brewing CO., Por Wine House Available Sponsorships: Community level Sponsors, Stage Sponsors, Water Station Sponsors and Silent Disco Sponsors are available.

Participating Restaurants Dinner on Main will be confirmed on the Chamber website in the coming days along with a list of the vendors participating in Taste Trail Passport for Prizes and Best Tastes of Louisville competition.

The post The Louisville Chamber Reimagines The Taste of Louisville with Five New Events This Summer appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.