Immigration

Expanding opportunity in Colorado

The Bell believes Colorado should be a state of opportunity – a place where people can build better lives and recapture the American dream. That belief guides our research and analysis and helps us develop recommendations for public policy. Here is a partial list of recent reports and other work aimed at informing and engaging Coloradans – and increasing opportunity. All of our publications are available at www.bellpolicy.org. Specific links are provided below.

(The Bell Policy Center and the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute co-released this report in Colorado for the Fiscal Policy Institute.)

By Kevin C Keller
The Denver Post

Immigrant-owned small businesses bring in an average of $684 million a year to Colorado, according to a newly released study by the Fiscal Policy Institute in New York.

By Allison Sylte
Denver Business Journal

Immigrants are 10 percent more likely than U.S.-born citizens to own small businesses in metro Denver, according to a report released by the New York-based Fiscal Policy Institute.

By now you have probably heard that the board of trustees of Metropolitan State College (soon to be University) voted 7-1 last Thursday to approve a new category of non-resident tuition that will make post-secondary education accessible and affordable for qualified undocumented high school graduates in our state. We are very pleased that Metro has taken this courageous step on behalf of Colorado students and applaud the board for showing leadership on this important issue.

The inglorious end to the 2012 legislative session and the special session required to tie up loose ends have garnered much attention. While that is warranted, we don't want the conclusion to overshadow what was otherwise a productive 120 days at the Capitol.

Given the realities of an election year and the continued effects of the Great Recession, most observers expected an acrimonious and highly partisan session from day one. But for the most part, lawmakers worked together quite well and accomplished a great deal.

The inglorious end to the 2012 legislative session and the special session required to tie up loose ends have garnered much attention. While that is warranted, we don't want it to overshadow what was otherwise a productive 120 days at the Capitol.

Given the realities of an election year and the continued effects of the Great Recession, most observers expected an acrimonious and highly partisan session from day one. But for the most part, lawmakers worked together quite well and accomplished a great deal.

We at the Bell still believe in the American Dream. For most of us, Colorado offers many opportunities to succeed, and education is the primary means we use to help us take advantage of those opportunities

(Fact sheet, infographic posted by Immigration Policy Center)

The Political and Economic Power of Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians in the Centennial State (Updated January 2012)

Download the Infographic

Dowload the Fact Sheet (2010 Census Data)

Legislators gather tomorrow for the start of the 2012 General Assembly, and we wanted to share some of our priorities for the session.