Throughout Colorado, businesses are laying off staff, shutting down, and going bankrupt.However, jobs in the “green” sector are seeing lots of that.In 2007, the American Solar Energy Society stated that green companies created over 91,000 jobs in Colorado alone.In addition, several companies have announced plans to create new jobs here over the next several years.How can you as a small business owner take advantage of the emerging thought that Colorado is a leader in the green economy?First, establish green practices for you company.Many of these can help save you money along with helping the environment.Second, do some market research to find out what services green companies in Colorado need.By knowing what services they need, you can position yourself to supply them.Third, always have a small business attorney, like me, set up your business to make sure it fits your needs and then have a small business attorney, again like me, review any contracts you are going to sign with larger companies to make sure you are getting treated right.These are just three things you can do to become a small business that also gets to make a little green while being a little more green.
For any questions about your business setup, please contact your Denver Small Business Attorney Elizabeth Lewis at Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com or 720-258-6647.You can also check out my site at www.eclewis.com for more information.
Earlier this month, I told you that I would keep you updated on legislation affecting small businesses. To start it off, I am going to talk about Colorado House Bill 1057.
HB 1057 is getting a lot of attention – and most of it bad from small business owners.The Denver Business Journal is reporting that the National Federation of Independent Businesses believes that it sends the wrong signal in this economy.So what is HB-1057?A short interpretation from your Denver Small Business Attorney – it is a bill that would force businesses with 10 or more employees to give parents up to 40 hours unpaid leave a year to attend school academic activities.According to Colorado Education News, even some democrats and educators are “skeptical” of the idea.As 96% of small businesses already accommodate parents, is this legislation really necessary?As you Denver Small Business Attorney, it appears that this legislation is going to do nothing more than create yet another burden on small businesses.If you agree, contact your state representatives today!
For more information, please contact your Denver Small Business Attorney, Elizabeth Lewis, author of the Legal Solutions for Small Businesses Blog at Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com or 720-258-6647.
If you operate a business in Denver and are using sandwich boards to attract customers, you may be breaking the law.In a recent story, CBS4 talked about how the Denver City Council is entertaining the idea of making sandwich boards legal in Denver.Currently, although they are used throughout the city, their use is illegal.However, with the economy down, businesses are looking for a way to advertise cheaply.In addition, the City of Denver is looking for new revenue streams.If the City Council has its way, sandwich boards will be legal, but will require a permit.Seems like a win-win situation to me.
If you are a small business and need legal help, as always email me at Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com or call me at 720-258-6647.
In part six of the professional corporation series, I discuss starting an accounting firm.
Engineers can form LLCs, partnerships, and corporations with other engineers to provide engineering services to the public. At least one licensed engineer must be a member of the LLC, partnership, or corporation and a licensed engineer must sign off on all projects. In addition, engineering firms have special regulations regarding naming practices.
As the above requirements are only some of the rules an engineering company needs to follow, if you are an engineer looking to start a company, please contact me if you need help to ensure that your company meets Colorado legal requirements.
Recently, two prominent businesses in Denver have announced that they are filing for bankruptcy protection – national-chain CircuitCity and Colorado-based Shane Company.However, last year, an estimated 900 to 950 businesses filed for bankruptcy in Colorado.This is the highest number of bankruptcy filings since at least 1999 and maybe before with the exception of 2005, the year prior to new bankruptcy rules taking effect creating a rush on bankruptcy filings.This is not surprising considering that consumer confidence was at a low and that individuals throughout the state are cutting back on spending.
So as a small business, what do you have to know about bankruptcy?If you are a business that isn’t facing bankruptcy but worries about companies that you deal with filing bankruptcy, it is important to have contracts, mortgages on property, and assurances of payments.If you are a business facing bankruptcy, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine whether there is something that can be done to salvage the business.
Whether you are a small business worried about others going bankrupt or a small business racing bankruptcy, contact me, your Denver Small Business Attorney, today at Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com or 720-258-6647.
In part five of the professional corporation series, I discuss starting a dental or medical provider firm.
Medical providers, including dentists, can operate under PCs and LLCs if formed under Colorado law or as LLLPs registered in Colorado. Medical providers must adhere to naming standards. The medical provider’s incorporation/operating/partnership documents must have certain provisions regarding the operation, leadership, and insurance requirements of the company among other things. All members and owners must be licensed to practice medicine in Colorado and must give up ownership if become ineligible to practice medicine for any reason.
As the above requirements are only some of the rules a medical company needs to follow, if you are an medical provider looking to start a company, please contact me, your Denver Small Business Lawyer, at Elizabeth.Lewis@eclewis.com or 720-258-6647 if you need help to ensure that your company meets Colorado legal requirements.
