Colo bill fights outsourcing, Gov may veto. Denver Post

State lawmakers could pass as early as today a bill that would grant priority to U.S. firms bidding on certain state contracts and therefore give Colorado-based businesses a leg up on foreign-based competitors or those with overseas operations.

Labor unions nationwide have voiced support for similar bills, including one in Maryland that became law last year.

Critics of the bill say it would force the state to pay more for certain products and services by overlooking companies that submitted better bids. It could also prompt other countries to retaliate against Colorado companies that bid for work overseas, according to free-trade proponents.

"This is bad legislation," said Jim Reis, president of the World Trade Center Denver. "It sends the wrong message about Colorado to international businesses."