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
Kayah Swanson, Senior Director of Policy & Advocacy, RMP Backbone
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.
Critical Conversation Highlights Need for Continued Collective Action 
Today, Rocky Mountain Partnership held its first virtual Town Hall event on postsecondary credential attainment, and how increasing that attainment can help us achieve economic and social mobility for all. Nearly 70 people logged on to watch!

Several action opportunities were identified during the conversation, so keep an eye out for more information on this event and resulting action in the coming days.

Did you have to miss out? Not to worry—we saved the recording for you. Watch the Town Hall event anytime at the link below!
This Week in State Policy
Legislative Session Update

In the regular meeting of the Policy & Legislative Advisory Network on Friday, April 16, PLAN members recommended the Partnership take a supportive stance on four pieces of legislation.The Partnership Accountability Network is currently deliberating on this recommendation. See each of the bills below, and click on them to learn more!

In addition, the Policy & Legislative Advisory Network is gathering more information on HB21-1258 and SB21-232 to consider recommending stances on those bills, as well. Stay tuned for more information.

There's a lot happening, but remember that it's all broken down in a bill tracker for you. 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. To see an update on where these bills are at in the process, just click on the bill number:

  • HB21-1010 Diverse K-12 Educator Workforce Report

  • HB21-1067 College Admission use of National Test Score

  • HB21-1114 School District Provision of Internet Service

  • HB21-1149 Energy Sector Career Pathway In Higher Education 

  • HB21-1200 Revise Student Financial Literacy Standards

  • HB21-1234 Supplemental Education High-impact Tutoring Programs

  • HB21-1258 Rapid Mental Health Response for Colorado Youth

  • HB21-1264 Funds Workforce Development Increase Worker Skills

  • SB21-013 Reversing COVID-related Learning Loss

  • SB21-029 Colorado American Indian Tribes In-stateTuition

  • SB21-039 Elimination of Subminimum Wage Employment

  • SB21-106 Concerning Successful High School Transitions

  • SB21-119 Increasing Access to High-Quality Credentials


  • SB21-236 Increase Capacity Early Childhood Care & Education
Statewide & National Updates
#1: Colorado COVID Infections On the Rise

For the second consecutive week, the number of outbreaks in Colorado have increased, continuing a reversal after weeks of improvement. There are now 678 active outbreaks in Colorado, according to data released Wednesday by the state Department of Public Health and Environment. That's up from 626 last week and 578 on March 31. It's part of a broader collage of COVID-19 metrics that have prompted Gov. Jared Polis to label the current spike a fourth pandemic wave.
#2: Colorado Halts Use of J&J COVID Vaccine

Colorado COVID-19 vaccine providers have temporarily suspended the use of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose shot after federal regulators reported rare blood clots in six women nationwide after they had been inoculated. The state expected to receive only 9,700 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week, so “most vaccine clinics will not be significantly affected,” public health officials said. They emphasized Coloradans should still get vaccinated as soon as they can.
#3: COVID Dial Sunsets

As of Friday, Colorado counties are left to decide how to control rising coronavirus cases and hospitalizations as the statewide COVID-19 dial system, which has set public health restrictions for the past seven months, moves from a mandate to a recommendation. The state will place restrictions only on large, indoor gathering places, like sports arenas and concert venues. That’s in addition to Gov. Jared Polis’ statewide mask mandate, which has been dramatically rolled back in about half of Colorado’s counties.
#4: College Enrollment Behind

A new report from the Colorado Department of Higher Education shows the rate of college attendance among high school graduates has remained about the same for the last decade. Just over 56 percent of the Class of 2019 enrolled in a two- or four-year college within a year of graduating. For comparison, the national average in 2018 was 69 percent. The lack of growth does not bode well for the state’s goal of having “66% of Coloradans attain a postsecondary degree or credential” by 2025.
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:
  • utilizing data to set shared targets and as a scorecard to measure progress towards this;
  • advocating for and aligning policies, funding, and resources to remove barriers and accelerate progress;
  • better coordinating and improving the work happening on the ground to achieve this.
Rocky Mountain Partnership | rmpartnership.org