DENVER (Feb. 5, 2026) – Ahead of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee vote on HB 1005, which would eliminate the second-vote requirement for unionization under the Colorado Labor Peace Act, NFIB State Director Michael Smith urged lawmakers to oppose the bill.

“Currently, the Labor Peace Act requires strong worker support before the implementation of union agreements, ensuring workers’ voices are heard,” Smith said. “For Main Street employers, who already have an onerous regulatory landscape to navigate, removing the second-vote requirement would make it more difficult to manage their workforce, control costs, and plan for the future. The majority of Coloradans oppose removing the second-vote requirement, and lawmakers should protect this safeguard for workers.”

In a conversation with John Rush on “Rush to Reason,” on the start of the legislative session, Smith warned against anti-small business proposals, including overhauling the Labor Peace Act, and called for reforms that would make it easier to do business in Colorado.

“We really think it’s important for Colorado to start having a more sound environment for small businesses to thrive and succeed,” Smith said. “There’s been a number of proposals in the past, and more this year, that are not good for businesses. We need businesses to be able to have confidence and certainty to plan for the future so they can invest in their businesses, investment capital, and their employees. That’s really what we need for small businesses to thrive here.”

CLICK HERE to listen to the full conversation. [Smith’s interview begins at the top of the third hour]