2025 Public Policy Agenda

1) Remove Barriers to Nonprofit Employees Participating in Public Policy and Advocacy

Under current Colorado law, just a single conversation with an elected official concerning specific legislation triggers Colorado’s lobbying rules and is subject to registration as a professional lobbyist with the Secretary of State, a registration payment, instance-based disclosure statements, and monthly disclosure statements for at least one year.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are already strictly regulated on lobbying and advocacy activities, and run the risk of losing their tax-exempt status should they violate the existing rules.  The requirement to register as a professional lobbyist with the Secretary of State creates an additional burden that keeps nonprofit leaders and staff from discussing the issues relevant to their missions with state lawmakers.

That’s why the Colorado Nonprofit Association is leading legislation that will allow nonprofit leaders and staff to lobby their state lawmakers for 30 days per year (20 during session, 10 outside of session) without the need to register as professional lobbyists.  To ensure a high level of transparency, nonprofit employees will continue to be required to disclose any lobbying activities within 72-hours of contact. 

We’ve heard from our members, and removing the registration requirement alone eases the concerns associated with lobbying and advocacy, and re-incentivizes nonprofits to engage with state lawmakers.  Government works best when all voices are represented, especially nonprofit voices, and implementation of this legislation helps realize that goal.

2) Serve as Colorado’s Nonprofit Sector Watchdog

It is clear that 2025 will be a challenging year for all, especially the nonprofit sector. From Colorado’s tight budget to threatening legislative action across all levels of government, the nonprofit sector needs an advocate to monitor the landscape and proactively counter incoming threats. 

The Colorado Nonprofit Association remains committed to serving as the nonprofit sector’s government watchdog.  We will leverage our relationships with state and federal lawmakers to ensure that nonprofit voices are considered in the legislative process, and our members are protected from proposals intended to prevent them from carrying out their missions.

Throughout the session, we will also track legislation related to tax expenditures and grants, as well as other issues that impact the nonprofit sector.