Earlier today, we posted on how weak Colorado’s so-called recovery has been.  Two new polls released in the past few days may help explain why.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted a survey of 800 small business owners and manufacturers, owners, or C-Level decision makers at companies with between two and 499 employees.  The survey was commissioned by the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the National Association of Manufacturers.  Here are the most important findings from the respondents:

  • 69% of small business owners and manufacturers say President Obama’s recent Executive Branch and regulatory policies have hurt them, compared to just 29% who think they’ve helped (we assume those businesses are in the green energy sector)
  • 55% say that given what they know now and in the current economic climate for business, they would not start a business today
  • 55% said that, compared to three years ago, the national economy is less favorable to the success of American small businesses owners; just 24% think the economy is more favorable
  • 66% said economic uncertainty makes it hard for them to grow and hire; they hold the Obama Administration or Congress responsible.
  • 58% rate government spending as a significant challenge facing facing small business owners and manufacturers
  • 49% rate federal, state, and local taxes  as a significant challenge facing facing small business owners and manufacturers
  • 55% say that given what they know now and in the current economic climate for business, they would not start a business today

Emphasizing these findings, Thumbtack.com also published a study of Colorado small businesses’ responses to the question: “What is the single most important issue in your choice for president?” The chart below shows that Colorado entrepreneurs, not surprisingly, rate jobs and the economy as top issues.  But, surprisingly, the Colorado respondents rated ethics/honesty/corruption in government as the next most important.  (Yeah, they’re talking to you, Adams County.)