Skip to main content

Advocacy & Government Affairs

We represent ALL restaurants.

Every day, decisions are made at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver that can change the way local restaurant operators do business. As an owner/operator, you don’t have time to monitor every debate, discussion, and proposal that develops in the State Legislature. The CRA invests that time for you.

While you are busy building and running a profitable business, our Government Affairs team, which includes experienced lobbyists, is promoting and protecting your interests, influencing the legislative decisions that ultimately determine your success.

CRA membership gives you access to insider legislative updates and includes your voice as part of the leading restaurant advocacy organization in Colorado.

Advocacy is…

  • Educating lawmakers about what issues are important to you and your business.
  • Sharing your story with elected officials to help them understand how the policy they create affects restaurateurs.
  • Using your voice to influence change in the restaurant community.

Top 2025 CRA Wins

Passed HB25-1208

The CRA successfully passed legislation that allows local governments, whose minimum wage is set higher than the state’s, to increase their tip credit above $3.02 per hour.

Defeated SB25-005

The CRA opposed legislation that would have eliminated the requirement for a second vote to form a union. The CRA protected workers’ rights to choose union membership for their workplace. The Governor vetoed the bill.

Maintained Funding for the Hospitality Workforce Grant

After extensive outreach from the CRA, the CRF, and Colorado ProStart® supporters, the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislature voted to preserve grant funding for FY25–26, keeping Colorado ProStart® strong.

Learn more about 2025 Colorado Law Updates

Why is Advocacy Important?

The CRA is the voice of Colorado’s restaurant industry, and even though our Government Affairs team works tirelessly to advocate on your behalf, we still need your help.

  • Lawmakers want to hear feedback directly from their constituents to help craft policy that reflects the needs of their community.
  • Legislators need you to educate them on what it takes to operate a restaurant.
  • They need to see that there are real people who are struggling every day to keep up with Colorado’s growing list of mandates, regulations, and pressures.

Top 2026 CRA Priorities

For a complete and updated list of bills that the CRA is tracking, visit here.

  • Expanding apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities to connect students and workers with opportunities in the hospitality industry

  • Protecting the Hospitality Workforce Grant Fund that supports Colorado ProStart®

  • Decreasing or eliminating credit card swipe fees on all POS sales taxes for restaurants and retailers

  • Sponsoring a sales tax holiday bill for restaurants to save each thousands of dollars during their busiest months

  • Sponsoring a Utility Sales Tax Credit that would provide bottom-line relief for restaurants

  • Opposing a proposed bill on extreme temperatures that would put more regulations on restaurants and their workers

Legislative Priorities

Learn about our advocacy goals and track current industry-related legislation.

Learn More

Action Center

Make an impact by adding your voice to the CRA’s periodic grassroots campaigns.

Learn More

Get Involved

Support and influence our advocacy work on behalf of restaurants, and learn how to communicate effectively with representatives at all levels of government.

Learn More

Questions?

Contact the CRA’s Director of Government Affairs, Nick Hoover

Click to email Click to call

Be a part of our advocacy team by joining the CRA today!

Join now

Thanks to the CRA and CRF Preferred Providers

Thanks to the CRA and CRF Partners for their support

Don’t miss out on deals and insider info for CRF events, including Drink Red Wear Red and the Denver Food + Wine Festival!

Subscribe to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) Party List to get the scoop on all CRF events, including access to discounted tickets!

By filling out this form, you agree to receive marketing emails and texts from the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation. You’ll get insider info about our events, special offers, and a whole lot more! You can unsubscribe at any time, we promise.