Let's Talk About Legislative Committees
What are they?
In Colorado, legislative committees are small groups of lawmakers focused on specific issue areas like health, education, or housing. This is where bills are first discussed, debated and voted on. Committees are also the only place community members and advocates can share formal testimony and thoughts on how proposed laws would impact them.
How do they work?
When a bill is introduced, it is assigned by legislative leadership to one or more committees. These committees then hold hearings, hear public testimony, ask questions, and make a final vote to move the bill forward. If a bill passes committee, it moves to a vote of the full chamber (all Senators or all House Representatives); if it passes there, it goes to the other chamber and the process starts again!
Why they matter!
Committees are:
- The only formal point of public input within the legislative process
- Where communities’ expertise and testimony is officially recorded
- Where a bill is voted on for the first time, deciding whether or not it will move to the next step and have a chance at becoming law in that session
For our communities this is often where our voices matter most! Committees are the step in the legislative process where direct lived experience, questions, and community knowledge are part of the official record and shape what policy becomes.
Did you know that we partnered with Millennial Lotería for our civic engagement campaign?
COLOR is all about giving you the cards you need: short videos, quick guides, and resources that make it easy to get involved. No jargon, no fluff, just the facts to help our communities hold the winning board.
Click here to learn about our campaign and how we are educating our community about who represents us!
In community,
Nicole Cervera Loy
[Disclaimer: These stories reflect the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the COLOR team shared in the spirit of learning, connection, and collective growth.]