What began as a bitter story of a shutdown lemonade stand had a sweet resolution this week, as Colorado’s youth businesses received support from the Capitol.
Last year, police shut down a lemonade stand that three boys and their mom set up near a music festival in Stapleton. The police shuttered the stand after a resident complaint alerted them to the lack of permit.
After the story made headlines, the Denver City Council changed the rules, allowing lemonade stands to operate in residential neighborhoods.
Now, the state has addressed the situation.
"We believe that entrepreneurship is a key to a successful future.”
A bill co-sponsored by Colorado State Senators Angela Williams and Jack Tate would allow youth to operate a business without a permit as long as it runs for fewer than 84 days a year, is operated by someone under the age of 18, and is located away from commercial establishments.
The bill passed Monday with a vote of 5 to 0 and will now advance to a vote with the full senate.
“I am proud to have you all at the Capitol today,” Williams said. “Thank you for making this such a priority.”
Before the bill was voted on, a number of youth businesses gathered to showcase their work. This was made possible by local nonprofits Dream Tank, Dream Culture Corporation and Young Americans Center for Financial Education.
Young Americans Center for Financial Education is a nonprofit committed to developing the financial literacy of young people, up to age 22, through real life experiences and hands-on programs.
"We believe that entrepreneurship is a key to a successful future,” said Richard E. Martinez, Jr., President and CEO of Young Americans Center for Financial Education. “Running a business teaches so many useful skills—problem solving, creativity, responsibility, money management to name a few—and we should encourage, not limit participation in business endeavors by today’s youth. We are pleased to see Colorado’s legislators recognize Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem also includes youth. These are our future business owners, inventors and civic leaders. We must make sure they are well equipped to lead our companies and economic development.”
Comcast has long supported Young Americans, as Rich Jennings, Senior VP of the Comcast Mountain West Region is a member of the nonprofit's board.
“Empowering our youth with financial skills so they make and manage their money wisely is why I serve on the Young Americans board.” said Jennings. “Businesses and organizations like ours have an obligation to serve and give back to the communities where we operate, which is why I’m proud of Comcast’s year-round support of Young American’s programs, like YouthBiz - helping young Colorado entrepreneurs compete in the 21st-century economy.”
The YouthBiz program at Young Americans helps young people learn about what it takes to start a business. Businesses from the program were on display before the hearing, showing what Colorado’s youth businesses have to offer.
In testimony before the committee, Alexander Woods, 13-year-old owner of Sweet Confection, pointed out, “Many things are just given to us. Business teaches us to work hard.”
Hannah Reyes, a 12-year-old owner of HER Design Store, argued that this bill would provide kids the chance to try out business ownership.
“I call it pee-wee business,” she said. “We have pee-wee baseball, a simplified version of the game where kids learn the sport by hitting a ball off a tee, so why not give kids an easier time owning a business, too.”
