John Hickenlooper took an unconventional path to public office. After starting out as a geologist, John took a chance by opening the first brewpub in Colorado. As a small business owner, he gained a deep understanding of the local community and the value of collaboration. John entered public service because he knew he could listen to the diverse array of Colorado voices and get things done. As Colorado’s U.S. Senator, John is committed to bringing people together to solve our country’s toughest problems.
As a former small business owner, Senator Hickenlooper knows what it takes to make payroll and grow a company. Colorado is home to over 650,000 small businesses that employ more than one million Coloradans, and he’s committed to finding solutions to help them access capital and continue to be economic engines of our communities.
To help small businesses recover from the COVID pandemic, Senator Hickenlooper helped improve Economic Injury Disaster Loans, ensure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans got to small businesses, and pass targeted relief for the restaurant and live entertainment industries. He also supported expanding COVID relief to sole proprietors and gig workers.
Senator Hickenlooper’s first legislation focused on small business. His package of four bills would help more women and underrepresented communities become investment managers, give Native American small businesses a voice at the highest levels of the Small Business Administration (SBA), allow employee-owned cooperatives to qualify for SBA loans, and help small businesses switch to renewable energy. All of these bills will increase access to affordable capital to small businesses.
Senator Hickenlooper is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.