On January 23, 2025, 9 COCPA members gathered at the Colorado State Capitol for our second annual PAC the House Day. The event was filled with impactful meetings for COCPA members and legislators, and we are thrilled that members were able to experience the legislative process in our state in real time. The strong showing of members demonstrated our community’s advocacy presence and strengthened the CPA-PAC’s ability to create a positive legislative environment for accounting professionals in Colorado. 

The CPA Political Action Committee (“PAC”) is a non-profit and non-partisan entity dedicated to advancing the interests in policymaking. Its mission is to equip legislators and mobilize champions of the accounting profession.  By pooling voluntary contributions from CPAs, the PAC amplifies their collective influence by supporting candidates—regardless of party affiliation—who understand and value the profession’s role in shaping sound policies.  By engaging with and building relationships with these legislators, we can advance CPA priorities and ensure the CPA voice is considered in important discussions at the State Capitol.  

Visiting the Senate and House of Representatives:

In the morning, COCPA was invited to the Senate floor for initial proceedings. The Colorado Senate has 35 members who serve four-year terms, and legislators were busily preparing for votes and the day’s committee hearings. Senate President James Coleman was able to stop by, meet the group and learn a bit more about COCPA and its priorities. 

After leaving the Senate, COCPA members made their way over to the other side of the State Capitol to experience the House of Representatives. The House is the larger of the two chambers in the legislature and has 65 representatives who serve two-year terms. COCPA members were invited to the House floor and were able to watch as Representatives debated and voted on proposed legislation. 

On the House floor, Representatives Rebekah Stewart and Brianna Titone stopped by to speak with the group, share what bills they are working on and their priorities for the year, and learn more about our member CPAs. 

Engaging with Committees: 

While much of a legislator’s work happens on the floor of the House and Senate, Committees are where provisions are debated in great detail, and public testimony is heard. This year in Colorado, the budget is a key issue for legislators, and attendees joined in on a Joint Education Committee meeting where the Chair of the Joint Budget Committee presented recommendations for the fiscal year. Seeing the legislative process in action was extremely exciting and gave the group the chance to see how bill concepts are introduced, amended, debated, and signed into law. 

Both the Senate and House Finance Committees are essential for our COCPA advocacy efforts as its where a vast majority of legislation that impacts CPAs is first considered in the state legislature. In fact, COCPA CEO Alicia Gelinas regularly testifies in front of the committee to share her expertise from a CPAs perspective and provide crucial guidance on legislation that has the potential to impact the accounting profession. A highlight of the day was the exclusive opportunity to sit and talk with Senator Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins, who is currently the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Senator Kipp shared with the group her legislative priorities for the 2025 session and emphasized the importance of directly contacting and engaging with your legislator. The Senator shared that when her constituents reach out, she always takes the time to listen and learn. Senator Kipp noted that this outreach is especially important for professions like public accounting, as CPAs possess invaluable expertise in complex policies that have impacts legislators may not fully understand.  By actively engaging with lawmakers, CPAs can help shape informed, effective policies that support the profession and the broader community.   

Learn more about how to contact your legislator here.

Meeting with crucial leadership personnel at the State Capitol did not stop with Senator Kipp. The group also had the opportunity to speak with House Finance Committee Chair William Lindstedt. Meeting with the Finance Committee Chairs for both chambers of the General Assembly proved to be extremely valuable in better understanding legislation that can be expected for the remainder of the 2025 Legislative Session.  

Second year attendee, Tyler Linnebur, CPA shared his appreciation online for the event opportunity, “Thank you to COCPA for inviting us down to the capitol.”

When asked why Tyler supports the CPA-PAC, he shared:

COCPA was honored to take part in the legislative process, reinforcing the importance of advocacy funded by membership dues and investing in the CPA-PAC.  We remain committed to engaging in the legislative process and shaping policies that impact the profession. We extend a special THANK YOU to all of our attendees and look forward to hosting this event again in 2026, welcoming more attendees to represent the Colorado CPA community as we strengthen our collective voice well into the future! Staying informed and engaging on key issues for the profession is essential. To get more information about the bills monitored by the COCPA during the legislative session, visit the COCPA’s Bill Tracker on the COCPA advocacy page.  

Want to make an impact? Donate to the CPA-PAC and stay tuned for more ways to get involved: https://bit.ly/CPA-PAC