One of the state’s most prominent business lobbies is moving forward with its promise last month–at the end of a disappointing legislative session–to see that Colorado elects a more business-friendly legislature in November. The first step: to vet this year’s crop of statehouse candidates.

The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, or CACI, has announced it will be conducting interviews with 50 new state legislative candidates this month for endorsement consideration by the organization’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Candidates who meet with approval also will be considered for financial support from the Colorado Business Political Action Committee.

The effort comes despite a far rosier assessment of the state’s business climate  by Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, who said again just last week that his support for alternative energy has created new jobs. However, Ritter’s legislative agenda–including a mixed record on organized labor and support for the suspension or elimination of wide-ranging tax incentives to businesses–has drawn fire from CACI and other elements in the state’s business community.

CACI’s leadership says it is committed to “working hard this summer and fall to create a pro-business legislature next year with the endorsement and financial support of pro-business legislative candidates, both incumbents and new, who will listen to employers’ concerns.”  Individual members are being invited to participate in the vetting process with a contribution to the CB-PAC. Candidates who pass muster will more than likely receive the maximum contribution a candidate can receive–$400—according to CACI.

Earlier this year CACI’s Senior Vice President, Dan Pilcher, said the business community has picked up the pieces in the aftermath of a particularly contentious and disappointing session for the business community and is focusing on opportunities.

“The legislature is over and done with, so the focus now will be on November–who gets elected,” said Pilcher.

Tony Gagliardi, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, (NFIB) said his members are also dedicated to creating what he considers to be a pro-business environment in Colorado in the future.

“We are going to be working hard to change things in November,” said Gagliardi.

Gagliardi singled out the 2010 session as the worst it’s ever been for small, independent businesses.

“The business community believes that this is the worst legislative session that we have ever seen for small business and for business in general,” said Gagliardi.  “It was not a pleasurable session and we look for better things to come.”

Yet, the governor’s assessment of legislation that he has promoted and signed with regard to the state of Colorado’s business climate differs sharply from the views of CACI and the NFIB.

Touting his new energy economy as a catalyst for fostering a positive business climate in Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter declared on Friday that Colorado is primed for business opportunities.

“In less than four years, we have passed nearly 60 New Energy Economy bills that are sowing the seeds for a vibrant and sustainable future,” Ritter said. “We are creating jobs, attracting companies, reducing energy consumption and advancing high-tech projects that will continue to bear fruit for decades to come.”