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COCPA
This legislative toolkit includes:
Information about the legislative process, tips about contacting legislators directly and additional legislative resources to help you stay informed and be an active advocate for the accounting profession
Legislative Overview & Journey of a Bill
The legislative branch is the lawmaking power of the state and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly, which is the Senate and House combined, meets annually, beginning in January and continuing for 120 days. State legislators pass laws that affect Colorado.
1.) House of Introduction:
2.) Second House:
3.) Governor's Action:
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The legislative branch is the lawmaking power of the state and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly, which is the Senate and House combined, meets annually, beginning in January and continuing for 120 days. State legislators pass laws that affect Colorado.
1.) House of Introduction:
2.) Second House:
3.) Governor's Action:
Tips for Speaking to Legislators
Speaking with state legislators can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, it's similar to conversing with a client or a friend – after all, legislators are people too!
Consider the following outline as a helpful guide for your discussions with your legislator. Keep in mind that every conversation is unique, so this outline may not always be a perfect fit. However, if you're new to speaking with legislators in person, it provides a solid starting point.
1.) Give your name.
2.) Tell the legislator where you work.
3.) Identify yourself as a CPA and a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs.
4.) Identify yourself as being one of the legislator’s constituents. Tell the legislator where you live and ask where he or she lives – that might help strike up a conversation about your neighborhood or the legislator’s district.
5.) Tell the legislator the reason for your visit – namely, to state the CPA profession’s position on certain issues. The COCPA can provide you about the issues prior to your visit so that you can speak confidently and accurately.
6.) If the legislator asks you questions about the issues that you cannot answer, do the following:
7.) End your conversation by emphasizing the difference between CPAs and accountants. Other accounting groups visit the capitol each year and have their own agenda. It’s important to help the legislators differentiate between these groups and the COCPA.
-optimized.jpg)
Speaking with state legislators can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, it's similar to conversing with a client or a friend – after all, legislators are people too!
Consider the following outline as a helpful guide for your discussions with your legislator. Keep in mind that every conversation is unique, so this outline may not always be a perfect fit. However, if you're new to speaking with legislators in person, it provides a solid starting point.
1.) Give your name.
2.) Tell the legislator where you work.
3.) Identify yourself as a CPA and a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs.
4.) Identify yourself as being one of the legislator’s constituents. Tell the legislator where you live and ask where he or she lives – that might help strike up a conversation about your neighborhood or the legislator’s district.
5.) Tell the legislator the reason for your visit – namely, to state the CPA profession’s position on certain issues. The COCPA can provide you about the issues prior to your visit so that you can speak confidently and accurately.
6.) If the legislator asks you questions about the issues that you cannot answer, do the following:
7.) End your conversation by emphasizing the difference between CPAs and accountants. Other accounting groups visit the capitol each year and have their own agenda. It’s important to help the legislators differentiate between these groups and the COCPA.
Tips for Legislative Visits
Legislative visits serve as a vital means to foster relationships between COCPA members and local legislators, while also keeping members informed about matters impacting the accounting profession in Colorado and nationwide.
During these visits, members can not only learn about the legislative process but also inform legislators about the profession and speak to specific issues that the accounting community supports or opposes.
When engaging with a member of the Colorado legislature, it's natural to seek affirmation for your advocacy efforts. However, legislators often hesitate to commit to specific issues due to various factors. They receive input from numerous constituents, groups, and special interests, and may be waiting to gauge broader sentiment or evaluate the merits of an issue thoroughly. Despite this, there are strategies to navigate noncommittal responses and elicit clearer answers.
Below are some approaches to address common phrases used by legislators to sidestep commitments on issues:
EXAMPLE 1:
Legislator says: “I’ll do my very best on your behalf.” or “I’ll take your views into consideration.”
Interpretation: This comment is frequently used—but is very vague. You don’t want the “very best.” What you want is a commitment to oppose or support a specific bill.
Your response: “I appreciate your dedication to serving our community. Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to consider [opposing or supporting] legislation that could [have this significant effect]. Would you be willing to commit to [opposing or supporting] [specific bill] should it be brought to a vote? I'm here to provide any additional information or engage in further discussion to help solidify your commitment."
EXAMPLE 2:
Legislator says: “Before I agree to do anything, I have to speak with [specific representatives] to get their comments regarding this legislation.”
Interpretation: This is a fair proposition. You shouldn’t shy away from it.
Your response: “Senator/Delegate [name], you make a good point. You need to know exactly who supports and who opposes this legislation. I can tell you that in addition to COCPA, [specific representative] also supports this legislation.”
These responses don’t guarantee obtaining the desired results, but they signal to the legislator your sincerity and concern regarding the issue.
-optimized.png)
Legislative visits serve as a vital means to foster relationships between COCPA members and local legislators, while also keeping members informed about matters impacting the accounting profession in Colorado and nationwide.
During these visits, members can not only learn about the legislative process but also inform legislators about the profession and speak to specific issues that the accounting community supports or opposes.
When engaging with a member of the Colorado legislature, it's natural to seek affirmation for your advocacy efforts. However, legislators often hesitate to commit to specific issues due to various factors. They receive input from numerous constituents, groups, and special interests, and may be waiting to gauge broader sentiment or evaluate the merits of an issue thoroughly. Despite this, there are strategies to navigate noncommittal responses and elicit clearer answers.
Below are some approaches to address common phrases used by legislators to sidestep commitments on issues:
EXAMPLE 1:
Legislator says: “I’ll do my very best on your behalf.” or “I’ll take your views into consideration.”
Interpretation: This comment is frequently used—but is very vague. You don’t want the “very best.” What you want is a commitment to oppose or support a specific bill.
Your response: “I appreciate your dedication to serving our community. Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to consider [opposing or supporting] legislation that could [have this significant effect]. Would you be willing to commit to [opposing or supporting] [specific bill] should it be brought to a vote? I'm here to provide any additional information or engage in further discussion to help solidify your commitment."
EXAMPLE 2:
Legislator says: “Before I agree to do anything, I have to speak with [specific representatives] to get their comments regarding this legislation.”
Interpretation: This is a fair proposition. You shouldn’t shy away from it.
Your response: “Senator/Delegate [name], you make a good point. You need to know exactly who supports and who opposes this legislation. I can tell you that in addition to COCPA, [specific representative] also supports this legislation.”
These responses don’t guarantee obtaining the desired results, but they signal to the legislator your sincerity and concern regarding the issue.
Tips for Writing to Legislators
Anyone can reach out to their legislator and speak to specific issues they feel strongly about. You can choose to email or write a letter if the information is available to the public.
Here are some types when your corresponding with your legislators:
-optimized.jpg)
Anyone can reach out to their legislator and speak to specific issues they feel strongly about. You can choose to email or write a letter if the information is available to the public.
Here are some types when your corresponding with your legislators:
The legislative branch is the lawmaking power of the state and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly, which is the Senate and House combined, meets annually, beginning in January and continuing for 120 days. State legislators pass laws that affect Colorado.
1.) House of Introduction:
2.) Second House:
3.) Governor's Action:
The legislative branch is the lawmaking power of the state and consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly, which is the Senate and House combined, meets annually, beginning in January and continuing for 120 days. State legislators pass laws that affect Colorado.
1.) House of Introduction:
2.) Second House:
3.) Governor's Action:
Speaking with state legislators can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, it's similar to conversing with a client or a friend – after all, legislators are people too!
Consider the following outline as a helpful guide for your discussions with your legislator. Keep in mind that every conversation is unique, so this outline may not always be a perfect fit. However, if you're new to speaking with legislators in person, it provides a solid starting point.
1.) Give your name.
2.) Tell the legislator where you work.
3.) Identify yourself as a CPA and a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs.
4.) Identify yourself as being one of the legislator’s constituents. Tell the legislator where you live and ask where he or she lives – that might help strike up a conversation about your neighborhood or the legislator’s district.
5.) Tell the legislator the reason for your visit – namely, to state the CPA profession’s position on certain issues. The COCPA can provide you about the issues prior to your visit so that you can speak confidently and accurately.
6.) If the legislator asks you questions about the issues that you cannot answer, do the following:
7.) End your conversation by emphasizing the difference between CPAs and accountants. Other accounting groups visit the capitol each year and have their own agenda. It’s important to help the legislators differentiate between these groups and the COCPA.
Speaking with state legislators can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, it's similar to conversing with a client or a friend – after all, legislators are people too!
Consider the following outline as a helpful guide for your discussions with your legislator. Keep in mind that every conversation is unique, so this outline may not always be a perfect fit. However, if you're new to speaking with legislators in person, it provides a solid starting point.
1.) Give your name.
2.) Tell the legislator where you work.
3.) Identify yourself as a CPA and a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs.
4.) Identify yourself as being one of the legislator’s constituents. Tell the legislator where you live and ask where he or she lives – that might help strike up a conversation about your neighborhood or the legislator’s district.
5.) Tell the legislator the reason for your visit – namely, to state the CPA profession’s position on certain issues. The COCPA can provide you about the issues prior to your visit so that you can speak confidently and accurately.
6.) If the legislator asks you questions about the issues that you cannot answer, do the following:
7.) End your conversation by emphasizing the difference between CPAs and accountants. Other accounting groups visit the capitol each year and have their own agenda. It’s important to help the legislators differentiate between these groups and the COCPA.
Legislative visits serve as a vital means to foster relationships between COCPA members and local legislators, while also keeping members informed about matters impacting the accounting profession in Colorado and nationwide.
During these visits, members can not only learn about the legislative process but also inform legislators about the profession and speak to specific issues that the accounting community supports or opposes.
When engaging with a member of the Colorado legislature, it's natural to seek affirmation for your advocacy efforts. However, legislators often hesitate to commit to specific issues due to various factors. They receive input from numerous constituents, groups, and special interests, and may be waiting to gauge broader sentiment or evaluate the merits of an issue thoroughly. Despite this, there are strategies to navigate noncommittal responses and elicit clearer answers.
Below are some approaches to address common phrases used by legislators to sidestep commitments on issues:
EXAMPLE 1:
Legislator says: “I’ll do my very best on your behalf.” or “I’ll take your views into consideration.”
Interpretation: This comment is frequently used—but is very vague. You don’t want the “very best.” What you want is a commitment to oppose or support a specific bill.
Your response: “I appreciate your dedication to serving our community. Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to consider [opposing or supporting] legislation that could [have this significant effect]. Would you be willing to commit to [opposing or supporting] [specific bill] should it be brought to a vote? I'm here to provide any additional information or engage in further discussion to help solidify your commitment."
EXAMPLE 2:
Legislator says: “Before I agree to do anything, I have to speak with [specific representatives] to get their comments regarding this legislation.”
Interpretation: This is a fair proposition. You shouldn’t shy away from it.
Your response: “Senator/Delegate [name], you make a good point. You need to know exactly who supports and who opposes this legislation. I can tell you that in addition to COCPA, [specific representative] also supports this legislation.”
These responses don’t guarantee obtaining the desired results, but they signal to the legislator your sincerity and concern regarding the issue.
Legislative visits serve as a vital means to foster relationships between COCPA members and local legislators, while also keeping members informed about matters impacting the accounting profession in Colorado and nationwide.
During these visits, members can not only learn about the legislative process but also inform legislators about the profession and speak to specific issues that the accounting community supports or opposes.
When engaging with a member of the Colorado legislature, it's natural to seek affirmation for your advocacy efforts. However, legislators often hesitate to commit to specific issues due to various factors. They receive input from numerous constituents, groups, and special interests, and may be waiting to gauge broader sentiment or evaluate the merits of an issue thoroughly. Despite this, there are strategies to navigate noncommittal responses and elicit clearer answers.
Below are some approaches to address common phrases used by legislators to sidestep commitments on issues:
EXAMPLE 1:
Legislator says: “I’ll do my very best on your behalf.” or “I’ll take your views into consideration.”
Interpretation: This comment is frequently used—but is very vague. You don’t want the “very best.” What you want is a commitment to oppose or support a specific bill.
Your response: “I appreciate your dedication to serving our community. Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to consider [opposing or supporting] legislation that could [have this significant effect]. Would you be willing to commit to [opposing or supporting] [specific bill] should it be brought to a vote? I'm here to provide any additional information or engage in further discussion to help solidify your commitment."
EXAMPLE 2:
Legislator says: “Before I agree to do anything, I have to speak with [specific representatives] to get their comments regarding this legislation.”
Interpretation: This is a fair proposition. You shouldn’t shy away from it.
Your response: “Senator/Delegate [name], you make a good point. You need to know exactly who supports and who opposes this legislation. I can tell you that in addition to COCPA, [specific representative] also supports this legislation.”
These responses don’t guarantee obtaining the desired results, but they signal to the legislator your sincerity and concern regarding the issue.
Anyone can reach out to their legislator and speak to specific issues they feel strongly about. You can choose to email or write a letter if the information is available to the public.
Here are some types when your corresponding with your legislators:
Anyone can reach out to their legislator and speak to specific issues they feel strongly about. You can choose to email or write a letter if the information is available to the public.
Here are some types when your corresponding with your legislators:
If you have any questions or would like more information about becoming involved in COCPA's advocacy efforts, contact our team.
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AICPA Advocacy Resources
COCPA partners with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to boost our impact on public policy. AICPA tracks legislation at all levels, making it easier for CPAs to stay informed and engaged, ultimately enhancing our ability to serve clients and employers effectively.