Building A Better Colorado Through Civic Engagement

Brief Overview 1.Who is Colorado’s Future? 2.Background and Rationale for Building a Better Colorado Through Civic Engagement 3.The Process 4.Progress to Date 5.Timeline and Goals

Highlights from DU Economic Futures Panel and Operating Principles for Colorado’s Future “Rebuilding public trust and improving the processes used for public decision-making and governance are fundamental to the long-term economic success of the state.” “Making fiscal policy by initiative is a process where over-simplification and under-analysis are the established norms; where conflicting policies and unintended consequences are the logical outcomes” “… establishing fiscal policy by constitutional amendment has weakened representative government in Colorado…”

Where Do We Go From Here? Colorado is facing some very difficult public policy challenges…. Conflicting constitutional fiscal constraints Erosion of representative democracy Competing funding priorities Lack of trust in government And our ability to fix these policy challenges via the traditional routes is becoming increasingly difficult...

LEGISLATURE INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM

Trust and Erosion of Representative Government

Number of Initiatives to Date by State Colorado Source: Initiative & Referendum Institute (Shaded areas of each bar denotes number of measures approved.)

If some public policy cannot be tackled effectively by the Legislature or by initiative because of… Partisanship Election Cycles Lack of Public Dialogue and Vetting Special Interests then WHERE do we find the answer?

Then Where do We Find the Answer?

QUESTION #1: Is it possible to engage community leaders in a constructive dialogue to build better public policy solutions that are motivated by a shared desire to build a better state rather than by partisan politics or organizational agendas? If so, what would this process look like? Building A Better Colorado Civic Engagement Project

3 Circles & 3 Tiers of Civic Engagement “1 st Circle” Nucleus Politically diverse Well-known and well-respected in the community Demonstrated a willingness to work collaboratively with diverse interests for mutual solutions Have a genuine interest in good public policy Supportive of civic engagement

May 2009: Lakewood George Valuck (D)Former Senator Mike Feeley (D)Former Senator Norma Anderson (R) Former Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder (R)

“1 st Circle” “2nd Circle” 30 Selected by the “Core 4” Represents civic leaders within the community. Political balance. Well-known and well-respected in the community. Demonstrate a willingness to work collaboratively with diverse interests for mutual solutions. Have a genuine interest in good public policy. Support the goal of the civic engagement effort.

The “2 nd Circle” Meeting 1.Obtain support for the broader objectives of this civic engagement effort. 2.Affirm support for convening issue. 3.Begin process of name-storming candidates for “3 rd Circle community meeting. Objectives:

“1 st Circle” “2nd Circle” 30 “3rd Circle” 200 Selected by the 2C participants. Represents civic leaders within the community. The criteria for the 3C participants is identical to the criteria for the 2C participants, EXCEPT that it is appropriate that elected officials and organizational staff be included in the 3C group as long as they meet the other criteria. Collectively, this group should generally represent the diversity within the broader community.

“1 st Circle” “2nd Circle” 30 “3rd Circle” 200 Selected by the 2C participants. Represents civic leaders within the community. The criteria for the 3C participants is identical to the criteria for the 2C participants, EXCEPT that it is appropriate that elected officials and organizational staff be included in the 3C group as long as they meet the other criteria. Generally represent the diversity within the broader community.

The “3 rd Circle” Meeting 2.Use facilitated group discussion & interactive keypad polling to gel consensus on defining public policy challenges and developing appropriate solutions to those challenges. 3.Provides a forum for envisioning a great state, motivated by shared community values. Objectives: 1.Engage community leaders in a constructive dialogue to build better public policy solutions that are motivated by a shared desire to build a better state rather than by partisan politics or organizational agendas.

“3rd Tier”“2nd Tier” “1st Tier” “1 st Circle” “2nd Circle” 30 “3rd Circle” 200 CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATION

GOAL: Engage 8,000-10,000 of Colorado’s Top Civic Leaders in a Coordinated Public Policy Discussion Through Civic Engagement Meetings Statewide

Meetings to Date Grand Junction Lakewood Pueblo Greeley Granby Steamboat Springs

Civic Engagement Model Will civic leaders engage in thoughtful dialogue? Will civic leaders reach agreement on the problem? Will the consensus solution look the same between different communities? Will civic leaders reach agreement on a solution? Will civic leaders be willing to leverage their credibility and influence others to secure passage of their solution?

Will civic leaders engage in thoughtful dialogue? # of participants 50 /

Is there a problem with the current ballot process: No Data % of participants

Would you support a statewide consensus recommendation if it were on the ballot? % of participants No Data

These Gold Recommendations represent my views. % of participants Grand Junction: The Elements in this consensus Recommendation reflect my views. Lakewood: Grand JunctionLakewood

Will the consensus solution look the same between different communities? 1.Require increased financial and overall disclosure from the groups filing initiatives similar to what is required of candidates 2.Require that signatures for initiatives come from different parts of the state and limit how many can come from one area. 3.Require clear ballot language that is understandable at the 8 th grade level 4.Convene a Constitutional Review Commission which is politically-balanced and that meets periodically 5.Require at least 66% approval (supermajority to secure passage of constitutional amendments while allowing statutory amendments to be adopted with a simple-majority. Top 5 recommendations were exactly the same.

Will civic leaders be willing to leverage their credibility and influence others to secure passage of their solution? How many colleagues would you be willing to talk to? % of participants

Statewide Support Structure Colorado’s Future will coordinate the statewide civic engagement effort. Coordinate the necessary follow-up and statewide message campaign to ensure successful implementation of consensus policy recommendations. Seek to reach consensus between local community groups on statewide policy recommendations. Work with the local convening groups and core leadership teams to assist them in hosting their community engagement meetings. Maintain database of participating Civic Leaders across the state. Maintain an interactive website and provide updates to keep everyone informed of the progress and outcomes of Town Hall meetings across the state.

Timeline and Goals Conduct as many meetings as possible across CO through April 1 st 2010 Communicate with Legislative Leadership to refer consensus recommendation to 2010 ballot Activate Civic Leaders in 2010 Campaign

Coloradosfuture.org