Below you'll find the Policy and Legislative Advisory Network's (PLAN) highlights on what's happening in the world of policy that most impacts economic and social mobility within Adams County, Broomfield County, and the City of Aurora.

By 2025, 50% (est. n= 193,000) of individuals 18 and older in Adams and Broomfield Counties will earn a post-high school certificate or degree.

That is an increase of an estimated 45,800 people in 5 years!

This work is about reduction of poverty and improving the overall well-being of individuals and industry across the region. Credential Attainment is one measurement the community can utilize to monitor progress towards economic and social mobility. Learn more HERE.
This week in policy was provided by:
Adam Burg, Senior Advisor, Legislative and Government Affairs, Adams County Government
PLAN Chair


With ongoing input from:
Matthew La Crue, Managing Director, Dentons
PLAN Co-Champion
Ryan McCoy, Executive Director, Front Range Community College Foundation | President, Westminster Public Schools Board of Education
PLAN Co-Champion
We've gotta say it: This information is subject to change. In addition, some updates may be sourced from organizations that have read limits or limits on how many articles you can access in a given time period.

The information below is in line with the Rocky Mountain Partnership's formal policy priorities for 2021. Learn more and check those policies out for yourself HERE.
This Week in State Policy
New Legislation We're Keeping an Eye On

Now that bill introduction has slowed down somewhat, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some legislation with you that falls a bit outside of RMP's policy priorities. This week, we're focusing on bills impacting basic needs. Keep an eye out for bills impacting RMP's other five data domains in the coming weeks.

There's a lot happening, but remember that it's all broken down in a bill tracker for you. Click on the buttons below to learn more about the newly introduced bills the Partnership is monitoring.

Is there another bill you want us to track? Let us know by clicking HERE!
The Bills We're Still Watching

We're still keeping track of the eight other bills we've highlighted for you this session. Five of the bills have a date to be heard by a committee, meaning legislators are going take a deeper dive into them and hear testimony. There are several others that have yet to be scheduled.
Bills that have a date with a committee:

  • HB21-1010 Diverse K-12 Educator Workforce Report is headed to the House Education Committee on Thu., March 25 at 1:30 p.m.
  • HB21-1067 College Admission use of National Test Score is headed to the House Education Committee on Thu., March 18 at 1:30 p.m.
  • HB21-1114 School District Provision of Internet Service was scheduled for House floor work today, but the legislature is not convening because of inclement weather.
  • SB21-013 Reversing COVID-related Learning Loss is headed to the Senate Education Committee on Thu., March 18 at 1:30 p.m.
  • SB21-119 Increasing Access to High-Quality Credentials is headed to the Senate Education Committee on Wed., March 17, time TBD.

Bills in limbo (for now):

  • HB21-1007 State Apprenticeship Agency passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee on a vote of 8-5 with amendments. Next, it will go to the House Appropriations Committee.
  • HB21-1125 Suspend State Assessments In 2020-21 School Year
  • HB21-1149 Energy Sector Career Pathway In Higher Education 
  • HB21-1200 Revise Student Financial Literacy Standards
  • SB21-039 Elimination of Subminimum Wage Employment
  • SB21-106 Concerning Successful High School Transitions
Other Statewide Updates
#1: The Colorado Recovery Plan

Colorado’s main political leaders are walking back some of last year’s austere cuts in the early days of the pandemic, calling Wednesday’s newly announced $700 million in proposed one-time spending a “bold stimulus package” that’ll invest in things like infrastructure, small-business tax relief, agriculture and broadband access.
#2: Vaccine Access for All Coloradans by mid-April

Colorado will move into its next phase of coronavirus vaccine distribution on March 19 — two days ahead of schedule — and the general public is expected to have access to inoculations by mid-April. The next phase includes anyone 50 and up and many essential workers.
#3: $1.9T COVID-19 Relief Bill

President Biden has signed into law the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Biden, Vice President Harris, and various Cabinet officials are expected to embark on a public relations campaign in the coming days to promote the new law and its benefits to the American people, which include a new round of direct payments. Those $1,400 direct deposits should have started hitting bank accounts as early as last weekend.
#4: July 4th Goal for COVID Independence

President Biden is aiming for the country to begin to find a degree of normalcy and move on from the pandemic by July Fourth, he announced in his first prime-time address on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic. Biden said meeting a goal of small family gatherings "will make this Independence Day truly special."
Claim Your Seat for Advocacy 101!
You can still register for two of our Advocacy 101 training dates! You'll come away from this training understanding the difference between lobbying and advocacy, what's allowed as a 501(c)(3), how the legislative process works, and where you can get involved.

Advocacy is a great tool for working to improve economic and social mobility in the region, and RMP wants to equip you to take part during the legislative session!

RSVP for Advocacy 101 Today!
The Tea on Rocky Mountain Partnership

The Rocky Mountain Partnership is a coalition of cross-sector stakeholders who are working together to collectively improve economic and social mobility across the Adams County, Aurora and Broomfield region by: setting shared targets that measure progress towards this end; advocating for and aligning policies, funding, and resources to remove barriers and accelerate progress; better coordinating and improving the work happening on the ground.
Rocky Mountain Partnership | http://rmpartnership.org