Advocate for Family Rights and Protections at The State Capitol
This public testimony guide offers essential information on how to testify on bills at the State Capitol in Denver, empowering you to defend and advance child, parenting, and family rights and protections. Experts in child development, legal professionals, educators, advocates, and concerned parents are encouraged to provide lawmakers with public comment during committee hearings. Every voice is important.
Find A Bill
Sign Up for Testimony
Once the bill is scheduled in committee, use the General Assembly’s online portal to sign up. You can also sign up in-person before or during the hearing, although on bills with high interest, signing up beforehand will help ensure you get an opportunity to speak.
Prepare Testimony
Organize your thoughts and prepare what you want to say. Testimonies are more effective when they are clear and concise, include facts and personal stories. On highly controversial bills, testimony is usually limited to 2-3 minutes due to high attendance.
Attend the Hearing
These hearings are held at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The room is listed with the bill on our Legislative Watch page and is provided in your confirmation email after signing up.
If you are testifying virtually, you will be given instructions.
Join Our List of Advocates
Testimony Tips
Our public testimony guide offers essential information on how to testify on bills at the State Capitol in Denver, empowering you to defend and advance child, parenting, and family rights. Experts in child development, legal professionals, educators, advocates, and concerned parents are encouraged to provide lawmakers with public comment during committee hearings. Every voice is important.
In-Person vs Virtual Testimony
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
What To Expect At The Hearing
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
Bring Handouts
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
Every Bill Gets A Hearing
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
What it Means to Testify.
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
The Bill Passed Committee - Now What?
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
Important to Know
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
Capitol Procedures
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.
Everything Else
While virtual testimony is accepted, in-person testimony is prioritized, especially for bills with significant public interest. This means virtual testimony will often be taken toward the end of the hearing. You can also submit written testimony, although it will not be read aloud or read by the legislators before voting, it will become part of the public record. Being part of the record might sound good, but written testimony is rarely, if ever, considered by lawmakers.