Earlier this year, in a packed conference room at Colorado Mountain College, business owners and community leaders across the Yampa Valley sat shoulder to shoulder to speak with Congressman Joe Neguse.

They were there for a roundtable conversation, organized by the Chamber. As our members shared their challenges – from workforce housing and childcare to rural policy needs – meaningful dialogue unfolded. For me, this meeting was a perfect example of advocacy in action and how the Chamber can bring voices together to make a real impact.

Advocacy is central to our Chamber’s strategic plan because policy touches every aspect of business. Housing, child care, health care, transportation, workforce and taxation all affect how businesses can hire and expand and in turn shape quality of life for our residents who depend on local jobs and services.

Our role is not to take sides politically but to ensure that policies are balanced, business-friendly, and reflective of our community’s unique needs.

Advocacy isn’t always simple.

Our membership reflects a wide range of industries, perspectives, and needs. What benefits one sector can sometimes create challenges for another. Balancing these diverse priorities can be difficult, but the Steamboat Springs Chamber takes that responsibility seriously.

We approach every issue with the same goal — to champion for a thriving local economy while preserving the character that makes the Yampa Valley special.

Locally, our advocacy ensures that city and county policies reflect the realities of running a business in the Yampa Valley.

By working closely with the City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County and bringing elected officials into our board and committee meetings, we make sure local decision-makers understand how policy choices affect employers, employees, and the broader community. This can be as simple as advocating for a sign variance so a business is easier to find from the road to local ballot initiatives that will have impacts far into the future.

At the state level, our role as a founding member of the Mountain Chamber Alliance gives mountain communities a collective voice, reminding legislators that what works on the Front Range is not always what’s best for rural Colorado.

The Mountain Chamber Alliance has successfully lobbied for more CDOT funding for our rural resort areas, lobbied against a bill that would’ve been harmful to shift workers, and fought to extend tax credits that benefit small business. Through the Colorado Competitive Council Steering Committee, we help shape pro-business solutions that strengthen our economy, attract investment, and keep Colorado competitive in a global marketplace, all of which directly supports the

vitality of businesses here at home. In addition to our roundtable with Congressman Joe Neguse, we create opportunities for our membership to connect directly with their elected officials like Sen. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Megan Lukens, and Sen. Michael Bennet so they have a voice on policy decisions.

Equally important, we amplify the voices of our members through many channels. Surveys help us collect real-time feedback so we can represent members’ positions on policies. Events like the State of the City and County create forums where business leaders can connect directly with decision-makers.

And our seats on committees and task forces like the STR Funding Committee, the Development Stewardship Taskforce, the Steamboat Springs Economic Development Committee, and many others ensure that local businesses have a voice in shaping the policies that affect them.

Our purpose is clear: we exist to be the unifying voice of the business community, to amplify the voices of our workforce, and to make sure Steamboat Springs remains rooted in our community values while creating space for a vibrant future.

Advocacy is strongest when we act together. We invite our members and partners to share their priorities with us, subscribe to our advocacy alerts, and attend policy-focused events.

When we stand united, our voice is stronger and together, we can ensure the Yampa Valley remains a place where business and community thrive side by side.

Sarah Leonard is the CEO at the Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce.