Page 53 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec21_WEB

CHAPTER AWARDS 2021 IEC NATIONAL AWARDS

in campaign contributions providing $100, $200 or $300 in From a chapter leadership perspective, IECRM encourages the
support of 32 Colorado Senate and House of Representatives other Colorado chapters to participate on their Government
candidates. The association created a spreadsheet for members Relations Committee enabling their chapter members to access
to access the contact information for their locally elected state issues of importance as they do not have their own committees
officials to make direct campaign contributions. In 2020, IECRM or lobbyists. Colorado legislation regarding electricians,
published a Voter Guide for electrical contractor members and apprenticeship, licensure, workforce and other industry operations
apprentices to access registering to vote and discerning positions impact ALL Colorado electricians; this is a critical way to expand
on issues on the ballot. A new website feature will enable our political capital and industry outreach. This year, the Directors
members to make direct IECRM PAC contributions year-round. of the other two chapters assisted IECRM in providing written and
IECRM is an IEC National Platinum Plus PAC sponsor, held a Virtual direct testimony to oppose several bills deemed to negatively
Hill Day in May 2021 and contributed funds to the IEC National PEF impact the merit shop contractor. IECRM publishes a monthly
as honorarium in support for IEC National President Janet Martin’s digital enewsletter that includes information and updates on
advocacy platform for speaking at IECRM’s 2021 Apprentice legislation, policy, advocacy, and regulatory communications for
Graduation Ceremony. contractor members and industry partners. In addition to regular
updates, from a regulatory view, a new feature is the monthly
Though unionized workers comprise less than 10% of Colorado’s Inspector Perspective that highlights the interpretation of NEC
workforce in construction, the federal/national campaign from and statewide code enforcement. IECRM conducts an in-person
unions has resulted in increased influence among legislators (via zoom in 2020!) Annual Policy Forum to share newly enacted
in Colorado. Merit Shop contractors will continue to be on the legislation impacting the industry and present new topics for
defensive to educate the legislature on the differences and consideration for the upcoming legislative session. IECRM also
benefits. ECRM is involved with many organizations working on contributed two articles to Colorado Construction & Design
issues impacting the electrical industry, most recently partnering magazine highlighting innovations and changes with legislative
with COSSA. IECRM and COSSA worked together on legislative or regulatory policy impact. The IECRM Government Relations
issues and participated with the City & County of Denver on Committee meets biweekly during the four-month legislative
energy benchmarking standards. IECRM was specifically requested session and bimonthly throughout the year. The distribution list
to meet on the use of local tax funding allocations for workforce for immediate alerts, actions, and updates includes 45 contractor
development. IECRM also serves on BJ4C, and is a member of the members and industry partners that receive first level notifications
Colorado Chamber of Commerce, of which many IECRM members and then action alerts and other messages are distributed during
serve on policy committees. IECRM collaborates in an advisory the session as needed to all members via a new email address
role with the ACREP and the Rocky Mountain Partnership. IECRM established this year alerts@iecrm.org.
serves on the private sector subcommittee for the Colorado
Emergency Preparedness Partnership.

www.ieci.org | November/December 2021 | Insights Magazine 51