Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC)

The Highlights

Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC) is a 33-year-old membership organization that helps small and minority-owned contractors learn how to do business with public entities and large corporations. They create effective networking opportunities in the construction industry to connect these businesses with potential clients, build networks and retain important business and industry knowledge.

Rosy Aburto-McDonough and Lauren Grosh from HCC join us to discuss small businesses’ challenges and how their organization can help.

Leading with education

The HCC has various membership levels and committees, such as the aviation, infrastructure, small business roundtable committees, as well as Women in Leadership. Their legislative committee represents the voice of small businesses, and their educational arm, HCC Contractor Academy, offers affordable training for companies in these industries.

Through HCC, members can learn how to schedule and coordinate project costs, write contracts, and accounting. The organization also provides scholarship programs to help individuals develop their leadership skills.

The Scaling Program provides coaching and support to up to 15 businesses at a time, assisting them in identifying potential challenges and solutions that will help their business operate more effectively.

FIGhting for small businesses

HCC’s legislative committee consists of 10 business owners and 12 representatives, advocating for diverse and certified firms. Their mission is to address legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting construction-related companies. They focus on various topics and initiatives, including a wage theft ordinance passed in Denver and Adam County’s outdoor storage code.

By providing these businesses with the tools and resources they need to succeed, the committee helps spur economic growth and create opportunities for underrepresented communities. Through their efforts, the legislative committee can set a powerful example for businesses and individuals nationwide, showing that diversity and certification are crucial to building a stronger and more equitable society.

Filling the gap

Around 45,000 construction jobs will be needed by 2047 due to growing demand, and the construction industry has a 25% growth potential. To address the need for more workers, programs like the Career Development Success Program Senate Bill 2306 are being implemented to provide opportunities for high school students to gain certificates and pre-apprenticeship training in the construction industry.

The decline in trade programs at the high school and middle school level in recent years has created a need to focus on creating a new workforce, particularly as many baby boomers retire. Lauren says offering apprenticeship programs to graduating high school students can help create job opportunities without incurring high student debt.

In the same vein, the recent infrastructure bill has created an opportunity for small businesses in the industry to expand. However, Rosy says this expansion should not come at the cost of leaving behind minority and women-owned businesses. These businesses currently receive only 8% of state contract dollars, despite accounting for 57% of all construction firms in the state.

Building a more inclusive and diverse construction industry is essential to ensuring that all businesses are given the opportunities they deserve to thrive.