PRIVACY POLICY

1) Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), your privacy matters. We are committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of our members, sponsors, event participants, and visitors to our website and online membership directory. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, what we share, and the choices you have.

By using our website or engaging with the Chamber, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2) Scope

This policy applies to information collected through:

• elbertcountychamber.org and any subpages we operate
  
  

• Online forms (e.g., event registrations, membership joins/renewals, contact forms)
  
  

• Our member directory and related publications
  
  

• Email communications and newsletters
  
  

• In-person interactions when information is digitized by the Chamber
  
  

This policy does not apply to third-party websites we link to. See “Links to Other Sites.”

3) What We Collect

a) Website Statistics & Device Data

For performance and security, we may automatically collect:

• IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, and referring URLs
  
  

• Page views, unique visitors, session duration, and clickthrough counts (including advertisement clicks)
  
  

• General location (city/region) inferred from IP address
  
  

We use aggregated statistics for internal analysis and to report overall performance to advertisers/sponsors (e.g., total clicks). We do not attempt to associate these statistics with your personal identity.

b) Cookies & Similar Technologies

We may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• Enable core site functionality (e.g., session management)
  
  

• Perform analytics and measure engagement
  
  

• Remember preferences (where applicable)
  
  

No personally identifiable information is stored in cookies. You can adjust browser settings to refuse cookies; some features may not function properly if you do.

c) Information You Provide Voluntarily

You may share personal information when you:

• Join or renew membership
  
  

• Register for events, programs, or sponsorships
  
  

• Submit forms (contact us, newsletter sign-up, directory updates)
  
  

• Communicate with us via email, phone, or in person
  
  

This may include: name, business name, title, mailing address, email, phone number(s), website, category, descriptions, images/logos, and payment-related details (processed by secure third-party providers).

d) Member Directory Data

Membership in the Chamber signals a member’s intent to be known within the Chamber community and local market. As such, member business profiles (e.g., business name, category, address, phone, website, contact name, and email if the member opts in) may appear in our online directory and printed publications. Members control what is published by indicating preferences on their applications or by contacting us to update settings.

We do not sell the full membership database in digital form. Printed directories may be distributed to members and available to non-members (free or for a fee) at the Chamber’s discretion.

4) How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

• Operate and improve our website, directory, programs, and services
  
  

• Manage memberships, renewals, billing, and account records
  
  

• Process registrations, sponsorships, and event logistics
  
  

• Provide referrals, networking opportunities, and business promotion
  
  

• Send transactional communications (confirmations, receipts, important updates)
  
  

• Send newsletters and marketing (where permitted/with consent)
  
  

• Produce anonymized or aggregated statistics for internal use and sponsor/advertiser reporting
  
  

• Maintain security, enforce policies, and comply with applicable laws
  
  

5) Email Protection & Communications

• We use return email addresses only to respond to your inquiries or to deliver the communications you request.
  
  

• If you provide your email for membership, directory listing, event registration, or newsletter opt-in, we may send you Chamber updates, event notices, benefits information, or marketing consistent with your relationship and preferences.
  
  

• Opt-Out: Each email newsletter includes an unsubscribe/opt-out link. You can also reply with “REMOVE” in the subject line or contact us using the information below.
  
  

• We do not sell or rent individual email addresses. Access is limited to authorized Chamber personnel and contractors who need it to perform Chamber functions.
  
  

If you receive a suspicious message appearing to be from the Chamber, please forward it to [email protected] so we can investigate.

6) When We Share Information

We may share information:

• With service providers/contractors who support Chamber operations (e.g., website hosting, analytics, payment processing, email platforms). They must protect your data and use it only for our instructions.
  
  

• With subscribing members for limited fulfillment purposes (e.g., when you request relocation/visitor information and ask to be contacted by Chamber members).
  
  

• For legal reasons (to comply with law, court order, or to protect the Chamber, our members, or the public).
  
  

• In directory/publications when members opt to make certain fields public.
  
  

We do not sell your personal information.

7) Payments & Event Registrations

If you register for events or pay dues online, your payment card information is collected and processed via a secure, PCI-compliant third-party payment processor. The Chamber does not store full card numbers on Chamber systems. We may retain related transactional records (e.g., amount, date, name, email, and the content of your registration confirmation emails) for accounting and audit purposes.

8) Data Security

We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, including:

• Role-based access controls and staff training
  
  

• Secure hosting and network protections
  
  

• Encryption and/or secure transfer for sensitive data where appropriate
  
  

• Document retention and secure disposal practices
  
  

• Incident response procedures for suspected breaches
  
  

No system can be 100% secure. If we believe a security incident has compromised your data, we will take appropriate steps consistent with applicable laws.

9) Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, to meet legal, accounting, or reporting requirements, or to manage membership records. We securely delete or anonymize data when no longer needed.

10) Your Choices & Rights

• Directory Display: Members can choose what fields appear publicly.
  
  

• Email Preferences: Unsubscribe using links provided or contact us.
  
  

• Access/Correction: You may request to review, correct, update, or delete your record (subject to legal/operational needs).
  
  

How to request changes or corrections:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, 166 S Main St, Unit 104, Elizabeth, CO 80107
Phone: (720) 232-1084

Please include your name, business name (if applicable), and the specific change requested.

11) Visitors’ Access & User-Generated Content

You may browse our site without disclosing personal information. Our website generally does not enable visitor-to-visitor communication or public posting, except where explicitly provided (e.g., directory listings for members or event pages). Where posting is enabled, please do not share sensitive personal information.

12) Links to Other Sites

Our site links to member websites and other third-party resources for business and community information. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites. Review their policies before providing personal information.

13) Children’s Privacy

Our services are intended for businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us so we can delete it.

14) International Visitors

Our operations are located in the United States. If you access our site from outside the U.S., you understand that your information may be transferred to, processed, and stored in the U.S., where privacy laws may differ from those in your country.

15) Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date above and post the new policy on our website. Material changes may also be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the site.

Quick Reference: Email Protection & Privacy (Summary)

• Emails come from [email protected] addresses.
  

• You’re receiving emails because you opted in, registered for an event, or are a member.
  

• We do not sell or rent email lists.
  

• Unsubscribe any time via the link in our newsletters or by contacting us.
  

• Report suspicious emails to [email protected].
  

16) Colorado & California Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of Colorado or California, you may have additional rights under state privacy laws, including the right to:

• Know what categories of personal information we collect, use, and share.
  

• Access and obtain a copy of your personal data.
  

• Correct inaccuracies in your personal data.
  

• Request deletion of personal data we maintain about you (subject to exceptions).
  

• Opt out of targeted advertising, sale of data, or profiling.
  

We do not sell your personal information. We only share limited business/member contact data as described in this policy.

To exercise any of these rights, please email us at [email protected] or mail your request to:
Elbert County Chamber of Commerce, 166 S Main St, Unit 104, Elizabeth, CO 80107

We will verify your request using the information we have on file and respond within the time required by law. You may designate an authorized agent to act on your behalf if you provide written authorization.