CHEC’s Meet Your Legislator Day is the perfect opportunity for you to receive the training you need to meet with your elected officials – plus a set-aside day to meet them so you can know first-hand who is making decisions on your behalf at the Capitol and reinforce your commitment to stand for homeschool liberty.
Attend the opening of the House and/or Senate, come to a special class on “Tips for Meeting Your Legislator,” and then connect in person with your elected officials to make a difference for homeschool and family liberty.
More information coming this fall for January 2019’s event!
Is this different from Homeschool Day at the Capitol?
Yes! Meet Your Legislator Day gives you the opportunity to connect personally with your elected officials early in the legislative session (which runs January-April), also giving you the ability to have a greater impact on any homeschooling legislation that may come up.
Homeschool Day at the Capitol is the annual event held in April for liberty-loving folks from around the state, featuring a huge rally for educational freedom, educational activities for all ages, and more. (Learn more here.) But by April, the legislative session is beginning to wrap up, and many legislators are unavailable to connect personally with families.
We’ve created Meet Your Legislator Day to give families another opportunity to make that connection!
Why is it important to meet with my legislators?
As homeschool families in Colorado, we enjoy the fruit of many years of vigilant service by others who have fought for our freedom. We must guard that freedom carefully! But how?
That’s where CHEC’s Colorado Homeschool Freedom Team comes in. Led by homeschool mom and CHEC Legislative Liaison Carolyn Martin, the team works throughout the year keeping watch on legal issues, reviewing hundreds of proposed bills for their potential effect on home education, parental rights, and religious liberty. (Learn more about the team here.)
But one of the greatest tools for an effective impact on any legislation regarding homeschooling is YOU! Personally meeting your elected official will help you know first-hand who is making decisions on your behalf at the Capitol, and it will strengthen our stand for homeschool liberty in both the House and the Senate.
We understand it can be intimidating to know all the ins & outs, so we’ve created this one-day event to help make it simple. We’re looking forward to a great day!
I’m totally not sure how to set up a meeting with my legislators! Help!
You’ve definitely come to the right place! This whole day is set up to make it simple for you to meet your legislators. Here are a few things we have to help:
- First, find your legislator and their contact information here. (Just enter your home address and it will display your elected officials.)
- Register for Meet Your Legislator Day so we can plan for you!
- When you register, checkmark to attend the “Tips for Meeting Legislator” class held in the morning.
- Contact your officials (using the information found in step 1) and request an appointment to meet them.
- Read the “Directions & Instructions for Visiting the Capitol” below on this page for details on parking and proper attire.
- Bake some yummy homemade goodies to share with your legislators’ offices.
- Come for the class, then meet with your legislators prepared with confidence!
Need help contacting your legislator? Email Carolyn Martin (carolyn@chec.org) and she will be glad to help you out.
Can I bring a home-baked treat for my legislators? (Yes!)
We suggest that you bring a homemade baked goodie (such as a pie, sweet bread, cookies, etc.) to leave with your legislator at their office and brighten their day!
Should I bring my children? (Yes!)
It’s a great opportunity to bring your children to the Colorado State Capitol and show them how to connect personally with elected officials. Make it a fun field trip day!
Planning for the day:
Directions & Instructions for Visiting the Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol is located at 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203.
- What to wear? Due to the formal business atmosphere at the Capitol, all attendees should dress in business or church attire — first impressions are important. Dress nicely, speak kindly, and keep children quietly and respectfully by your side.
- Driving? There is plenty of paid parking (street or lot) near the Capitol, but please note that there is no public parking available at the Capitol. Car pooling is encouraged – make the drive a fun one with other homeschool families! Click here for a map of suggested parking areas.
- Light Rail? This could make for a fun add-on to your field trip! The light rail train comes within just a few blocks of the Capitol. For route, schedule, and price information click here.
Opening of the House & Senate (9-10 am)
Attend either the House or the Senate opening in the morning and see how the Colorado legislature opens the day. Please arrive by 8:45 am; everyone must be seated by 9:00 am, and space is limited.
Tips for Meeting Your Legislator class (choose one: 10-10:30 OR 11-11:30 am)
Held in the Colorado Old Supreme Court Chambers (inside the Colorado State Capitol), this class will walk you through how to connect with your senators and representatives without feeling intimidated or unsure. You’ll be equipped to meet your legislators with confidence and make a real difference for Colorado families! (RSVP for your preferred class time when you register.)
