Former Polis Aide Takes Over Colorado Concern
Operators tracking Colorado's tax and AI rules should watch how the state's leading business lobby changes course.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
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Lisa Kaufmann has become CEO and president of Colorado Concern, succeeding Dave Davia, who led the business-advocacy group for about three years. Kaufmann previously served as chief of staff to Gov. Jared Polis and later as his chief strategic initiatives officer.
Why it matters
Leadership changes at Colorado Concern signal how the state's business lobby may approach regulation and tax debates going forward. Under Davia the group focused on fighting AI regulations and clashed with Democrats over property taxes, so operators tracking those issues will watch whether that agenda continues.
Colorado Concern, founded in 1986, is changing leadership after roughly three years under Dave Davia. Kaufmann's appointment follows years of work in Colorado government and a 2006 co-founding of New Era Colorado.
The players
Colorado Concern
A Colorado business advocacy organization founded in 1986 that lobbies on state economic and regulatory policy affecting employers.
Lisa Kaufmann
A longtime Colorado government and political strategist who served as chief of staff and chief strategic initiatives officer to Gov. Jared Polis.
Dave Davia
The former leader of Colorado Concern, who directed the group's advocacy against AI regulations and on property-tax disputes for about three years.
Jared Polis
The Democratic governor of Colorado, who previously served in Congress and whose office Kaufmann advised for years.
The details
Kaufmann is described as Gov. Polis' longest-serving staffer, having served first as chief of staff during his initial term as governor and later as chief strategic initiatives officer. Her move from state government to leading a business advocacy group means a figure with direct knowledge of the governor's office will now shape the group's positions on state policy. Colorado Concern's board includes Larry Mizel, Pat Hamill and Rob Cohen. Kaufmann will take over according to a biography added to the group's website.
Timeline
2006: Kaufmann co-founds New Era Colorado.
1986: Colorado Concern is founded.
- 2026-11-04
Kaufmann takes over as CEO and president of Colorado Concern.
Market Landscape
Colorado Concern's leadership change follows a pattern in which former state officials and political operatives move into business advocacy roles that shape state tax and regulatory debates. The group's prior fights over AI regulation and property taxes place it at the center of contested policy areas in Colorado.
Colorado operators tracking state tax and AI regulation should expect Colorado Concern's advocacy positions to be shaped by Kaufmann's government experience. Businesses that rely on the group's lobbying should watch for shifts in its stance on property taxes and technology rules over the coming months.
The takeaway
Business owners in Colorado should watch Colorado Concern's policy statements in the months after the leadership change to see whether its AI and property-tax positions hold. Track the group's public filings and testimony to gauge how its advocacy shifts under new leadership.
Further reading
For more on business leadership moves like this one, explore People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Public Radio.
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