Legislative Committee Meeting on
Monday, February 22nd
Greetings!

Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. We will begin our meeting discussing how we will conduct our weekly meetings now that the legislative session has started and providing some additional background information. Secondly, we will dive into the list of bills that our co-chairs have pulled out of the many bills introduced so far.  
 
Selection, Assignment and Following Bill Protocol – these will be discussed and explained on Monday the 22nd. We’ll also discuss protocols for committee hearings and legislator contact in this session. 

As some of you know, our previous procedure for reviewing and selecting bills that CSL will keep on our bill list has often resulted in a list of 80-100 bills. That number is impossible for our small group of volunteer advocates to dive into at a sufficient level of detail to have any impact. 
The remainder of what follows here is focused on those who attend our Monday mornings Legislative Committee meetings and are voting members of CSL.

This session, we will divide the bill list into three categories:
1. Active bills – has a scheduled hearing within the next 2 weeks. Limit 15 bills at any one time - based on number of volunteers and time commitments.
‌
a. Prioritize bills by subject matters
(healthcare, prescription drugs, broadband, etc.)
2. Inactive bills – sitting in appropriations until after long-bill.
3. Members vote to follow, but no one has volunteered to actively follow
the bill
‌
a. Volunteering in this case means: 
‌
  • Report back weekly to CSL Legislative Committee on Mondays
  • Contact sponsor, agencies, advocacy groups, lobbyists.
  • CSL strongly supports, supports, neutral, oppose, strongly oppose, request an amendment.
  • Testify remotely, or in-person, submit written testimony to committee members.
  • Report back on status of bill, moved to different committee, amended, killed, etc.
  • Track it as it goes through second chamber then on to Governor for signature.
‌
b. Work closely with Jeanette and Rich through the process
(we will provide assistance and training as needed)
‌
If no volunteer steps forward to be active on any bill on our list, it will be dropped after two weeks on the list.

CSL is an active stakeholder (meaning members have attended discussion meetings with legislators prior to bill introduction) on these subject areas for this session; we will continue to be active on these in the session:
‌
  • Increasing the number of geriatric health care providers in underserved areas of the State
  • Changes to the Colorado Community Interest Act (Homeowner Association issues)
  • Transportation for dialysis treatments. 
  • Affordable Housing
  • Broadband
  • Workforce
Join or Renew your Membership for 2021
More than ever Colorado Senior Lobby needs your support so we can continue to do our work of educating and advocating for older adults in Colorado. Colorado Senior Lobby has the connections and network to make a difference.
Recommend an article or issue to share in one of our newsletter
Please feel free to share this information with others.
Thanks, Bob Brocker
President - Colorado Senior Lobby
303 832 4535
303 862 8711
February 22nd - 9:30AM - 11:30AM
Zoom LCM Logon Information
You will get the most out of our meetings if you can
logon using a computer compared to calling in with a phone.

Link above should be all you need, but just in case:

Meeting ID: 881 481 5119
Passcode: CSL2020!

One tap mobile
+16699009128,,8814815119#,,,,,,0#,,24533218# US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 881 481 5119
Passcode: 24533218
Questions? Contact the Legislative Committee Co-Chairs

Jeanette Hensley - email - 303-249-5598
CSL Co-Chair of Legislative Committee, CSL Capitol Gang Chairperson
and CSL Board Secretary

Rich Mauro - email - Direct: 303-480-6778
CSL Co-Chair of Legislative Committee, CSL Board of Directors and Senior Policy and Legislative Analyst Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
Upcoming Events
February 23, 2021 – Tuesday, 11:30AM-1:00PM
Accessing Money & Resources when you Need Financial Help – Webinar
Bring your lunch and join AARP ElderWatch, Benefits in Action, Northwest Housing Authority, Sunshine Homeshare, and U.S. Bank for a lunch and learn connecting you to resources and benefits you may not know exist. We will discuss how to access resources and benefits, how they can be used in various situations, and how to protect your money – and identity – from scammers. Pre-registration is required. Once you register, you will receive a link that will connect you to the event the day of. You may need to download Zoom prior to joining the event. If you have questions, call ElderWatch at 1-800-222-4444 option 2.
April 1 through May 13, 2021 - Thursdays, 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Spring 2021 DRCOG Citizens’ Academy on Zoom
DRCOG's Citizens’ Academy is a program that helps build the civic capacity of the Denver region's residents. Through the seven-week course, the academy exposes participants to important regional issues like transportation, economic vitality, housing, civic engagement and more. Each course includes weekly two-hour sessions consisting of lectures from local subject matter experts, small-group interactions and networking. In addition, participants develop individual action plans to put into place upon completing the academy. Apply now for the spring 2021 virtual Citizens' Academy!
Thank you for your time in reviewing information about the CSL Legislative Committee Meetings. Do not hesitate to call or email Colorado Senior Lobby with questions.

CSL Main Phone: 303-832-4535