Scrivner Institute of Public Policy

We were so pleased to co-host an event last week recapping the 2024 Colorado legislative session with our friends at the Center on American Politics and The Colorado Sun! The Sun's politics and policy team spoke with Governor Jared Polis, Rep. Iman Jodeh, Rep. Anthony Hartsook, Sen. Jim Smallwood, and Sen. Kyle Mullica to learn more about this legislative session's successes and challenges. You can catch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/gVtPrjk2

We hosted a wonderful Scrivner Policy Roundtable earlier this week on issues of food, agriculture, and environment in the “Farm Bill”, an omnibus, multiyear bill currently under difficult negotiation in Congress. Our panelists discussed the critical issues that the bill addresses that are relevant to Colorado farmers and ranchers, consumers, and the natural environment.    Students from DU’s Conflict Engagement and Resolution Initiative facilitated table discussions to explore the tensions inherent in addressing and balancing these issues in one piece of legislation. Thank you to our presenters for sharing your perspectives and experience with our community! Ritwick Ghosh, Tamra Pearson d'Estree, K. Ann Bybee-Finley, Mindi DePaola, Lauren Kelso, and James Thompson.

Our last Scrivner Policy Roundtable of the academic year is coming up on May 7! The Roundtable is an event series that fosters a collaborative research and learning network among local Denver Metro policy actors and organizations and the campus community. This next roundtable will focus on issues of food, agriculture, and the environment in the "Farm Bill". From conservation subsidies that support rural livelihoods to food stamps that address urban hunger, from domestic supply chains to international trade and aid programs, the Farm Bill sets the course for US food and agricultural policies every 5 years. With this omnibus legislation currently under difficult negotiation in Congress, this Roundtable will examine the process, content, and significance of the bill, key ongoing debates, and how the bill can best help Colorado consumers, producers, and the environment. Contact Scrivner.Institute@du.edu if you're interested in attending!

Many thanks to Senator Michael Bennet for meeting with members of the inaugural Colorado Project recently! The Colorado Project serves as a state platform for deliberation focused on challenging issues affecting Colorado. The Scrivner Institute and University of Denver - Josef Korbel School of International Studies convened the meeting for the group to present their strategy for a pathway to sustainable and inclusive growth in Colorado, touching on issues ranging from affordable housing and accessible educational credentials to water conservation and sustainable land use. Senator Bennet asked poignant questions and gave insightful feedback, stating that the challenges outlined in the report align closely with the concerns he hears from his constituents. The group will continue to dive deeper into these issues as the project progresses. As Senator Bennet commented, Colorado is well-poised to tackle these issues, as it’s “big enough to matter, and small enough to care.” For more information on the Colorado Project, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gsnfArHk

The Colorado Project, an initiative of the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy, proved last week that our community initiatives remain one of the most rewarding endeavors for our students at the Korbel School. The project convened a group of community and policy leaders to develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the state, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different policy dimensions to envision a more promising future. Last week, that group sat with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to discuss their innovative solutions and policy recommendations. Master's of Public Policy Grad student Jacob Topping witnessed firsthand an exercise in civil discourse while he was the Research Assistant. The 32 individuals put aside their differences to foster positivity and collaboration, a first step to addressing Colorado's challenges, from sustainable water and energy use to workforce and housing challenges. Read the Colorado Project here: https://lnkd.in/gsnfArHk #coloradopolitics #Colorado #JKSIS #KorbelLife #civildiscourse #sustainability #housing #workforce #college #university #MPP #PublicPolicy

Did you miss our Denver Dialogue on congressional reform? You can check out the recording below! Many thanks to our panelists Brandice Canes-Wrone from The Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Charlie Dent from The Aspen Institute, Lee Drutman from New America, and Philip Wallach from American Enterprise Institute. Recording: https://lnkd.in/gq3zue7q

Join us this Wednesday, March 13 for our next Denver Dialogue, focused on U.S. Congressional reform. Our panelists will discuss what has led us to this period of extreme legislative dysfunction and what can be done to address it moving forward. March 13 | 4:30-6pm MT | Zoom Register here: https://lnkd.in/g3KkUqkF

You can now catch the recording of our event "From Military Service to Civilian Society: Veterans & American Democracy" here: https://lnkd.in/gzVjciNa

Thank you, Becca Montgomery and University of Denver - Josef Korbel School of International Studies & Scrivner Institute of Public Policy for your leadership in bringing this exciting project to fruition for Colorado. And thank you to all of these leaders from across the state who made this work possible: Stephen ErkenBrack Lisandra Gonzales Naazneen Barma Katie Aker Jacob Topping Bruce Alexander Kathy Boe Kimball Crangle Susan Daggett Jim Ehrlich Molly Fales Carlos Eduardo Fernandez Jill Hawley Sarah Kendall Hughes Sue Hansen Hollie Velasquez Horvath JB Holston Elise Jones Zaneta Kelsey Eve Lieberman Jim Lochhead Jack Johnston Hallie Mahowald Jerilynn Martinez Francis Landon Mascareñaz Jackie Millet, P.E. Andrew Mueller Rodney M. Milton, Jr. Amanda Sandoval Jay Seaton Sam Walker Mike Washington Bonnie Watson Helen Young Hayes

Join us in congratulating the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy on their recent release of the #ColoradoProject! As one of the key architects behind the project, Becca Montgomery said it best: the Colorado Project is "an example of what is possible when people come to the table committed to finding a path forward together." We're excited to see where this platform — and its commitment to fostering productive deliberation on Colorado's most challenging issues — goes from here!