Colorado Governor Polis Urged to Protect Digital Tools for Small Business
FRISCO, COLORADO (May 21, 2020) – Business leaders in Colorado today sent a letter to Governor Jared Polis urging continued support for online tools and digital platforms vital to preserving small business activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by the Connected Commerce Council (3C), the letter was signed by 154 Colorado-based leaders representing a range of digitally empowered small businesses, including Ecklund Contracting in Frisco.
“Access to online tools enables websites, analytics, digital ads, online marketplaces, and e-commerce platforms to empower retailers, restaurants, service providers, and Colorado small businesses of all types,” wrote Colorado business leaders. “Now, more than ever, businesses and the Coloradans they serve benefit from the stability, scale, and security of these tools.”
Small business advocates also cautioned against ill-timed regulations and legal challenges that could disrupt technology options that have proven critical during the downturn.
“With storefronts closed across the country, the tools offered by companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon have become vital economic lifelines for countless small business owners and entrepreneurs,” said 3C President Jake Ward. “We’re fortunate to have leaders like Governor Polis who understand what it takes for Colorado to compete in the digital economy, but we continue to see misguided anti-tech campaigns that create needless uncertainty for small businesses just working to stay afloat.”
“Without digital tools there’s no way I could have maintained the same level of service for my customers across Colorado during this pandemic,” said Carl Ecklund of Ecklund Contracting in Frisco.
“We’re lucky to have access to so many free and low-cost digital platforms and tools to stay in business and serve our community. As we work toward reopening the economy, it’s important that elected leaders understand the role technology is now playing and avoid policy mistakes that could slow our recovery.”
A copy of the letter and a list of signers is available here.
