Making Effective Contacts with Lawmakers

Know your legislator: here are the names of the 2014 Colorado State Senators and Representatives listed by UniServ unit.

Personal letters or e-mail: Personal letters and e-mail to legislators can be very important in lobbying for or against a particular bill. Here are some guidelines to help you write an effective letter or e-mail:

  • Write your letter carefully and check it for correct spelling and grammar.
  • Use the legislator's correct full name and title.
  • Identify the bill or issue and your specific purpose for writing.
  • Address what you believe should be done with the bill and ask for a specific action.
  • Localize your letter or e-mail message and tell what the bill means to your community, campus, or school district by name. Be specific and rely on your personal experience as evidence.
  • State that you are not expecting a reply, unless you specifically want one.
  • Sign your name and give your home address and phone number.
Personal calls: Calling a legislator is a legitimate form of lobbying. Here's how to be effective when making a phone contact with your legislator:

  • Call your legislator at his or her Capitol office. Identify yourself by name and home town.
  • Identify the bill by its name and number.
  • State briefly your position on the bill and how you want the legislator to vote.
  • Ask for your legislator's current position on the bill. If he or she wants more information or asks for written follow-up to the call, provide the information or agree to mail it right away.
  • Thank your legislator for spending time on the phone. (Your legislator is busy, as you are.)
  • Speak with a secretary or the legislator's staff member if your legislator is on the floor or in a committee hearing. Identify yourself and give your address, home town, and home phone number; identify the bill by name and number; and state how you want the legislator to vote.
  • If you get the legislator's voice mail, leave a succinct message. If you don't want a return call, be sure to say so.
Personal visits: Nothing is more effective than communicating your position face to face with your legislator.

  • If your legislator knows you have traveled to the Capitol, he or she will usually find some place to meet with you. It's a good idea to call or write in advance to state your desire to meet.
  • Your legislator may not have read the bills you want to discuss; take some time to find out and help educate him or her about the bills.
  • Keep the visit as brief as possible. If you are in a group, keep the number small and have only one main spokesperson.
  • Provide something in writing if possible, such as a fact sheet on the bill and the Association's position on it.
  • If possible, conduct the personal visit when the legislator is in his or her home town in familiar territory. You can meet at someone's home or in a restaurant, at a school or a business – where ever it's comfortable to get together.
More tips for making effective contacts with legislators

  • Be informed about the issue you want to discuss.
  • Be prepared with information relevant to the bill you are talking about.
  • Be friendly, open, and prepared to listen as much as you talk.
  • Be calm and rational and professional.
  • Be an advocate – tell what the Association's position is on the bill.
  • Be positive and persuasive, but refrain from arguing.
  • Be specific and provide examples of the impact the bill will have on you, your job, your students, your workplace.

Use the appropriate etiquette

The Honorable (Legislator's First & Last Names)
Colorado House of Representatives or Colorado Senate
State Capitol
Denver, Colorado 80203

Dear Senator (last name):
Dear Representative (last name):


Call the Colorado State Capitol

Senate toll-free: 888-473-8136
Republican Senators: 303-866-4866
Democratic Senators: 303-866-4865
House toll-free: 800-811-7647
All Representatives: 303-866-2904

Our State Legislators

Senate District 7 - Ray Scott - (303) 866-3077 - ray.scott.senate@state.co.us
House District 54 - Yeulin Willett - (303) 866-2583 - yeulin.willet.house@state.co.us
House District 55 - Dan Thurlow - (303) 866-3068 - dan.thurlow.house@state.co.us