OFFICE OF GOVERNOR POLIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER

Mid-January Update

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

My fellow Coloradans, 

This week, I delivered the 2024 State of the State address. In this address, I focused on my bold goals of, building more housing now, expanding access to transit, and making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country and challenged the legislature to do everything they can to help make Colorado more affordable — a goal we both share and it will take every member of our community to help build a Colorado for all.



As we get into 2024 and move closer to 2026, our state’s 150th anniversary, and envision how we want our future to look for Colorado, my administration will continue to deliver real results for hardworking families and our community. I was honored to be joined at the state of the state by Nonprofit Security Grant Award recipients and Bright Spot Award winners, who value our goals of a safer Colorado and our initiative of accessible education for all Colorado students. Additionally, I was able to address my vision on the other issues that matter most to Coloradans, like creating more housing options for all budgets and expanding reliable and affordable transit options throughout the state.

You can watch the 2024 State of the State Address here.

What People Are Saying About 2024 State of the State

District Attorney Michael Dougherty - “It was great to attend the [State of the State] address today. Thank you Jared Polis for your leadership and today’s remarks on addressing hate crimes, co-responder models, and auto thefts. #CO”

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper - “Governor Polis has worked to future-proof Colorado’s successes - and Coloradans are already seating the results. We’ve cut health care costs, invested in our aging infrastructure, and attracted billions for emerging technologies and workforce development.” 

Check out my Twitter account @GovofCO, to see more quotes and clips.

ALL ABOARD THE SKI TRAIN TO WINTER PARK

Following the State of the State and our administration’s focus on housing and transit, on Friday January 12th I took the 7am Inaugural Ski Train to Winter Park. I encourage you to use it!

To learn more about the train schedule and ticketing, Coloradans can visit Amtrak’s website.

Once in Winter Park, I met with stakeholders in the community and toured the Conifer Commons, a 332-bed, $60 million workforce housing complex. We discussed the importance of creating housing within our state and making sure that residents are able to enjoy and afford to live in the communities they love. This project will increase the workforce housing supply for the resort, and with affordable living units, will allow for the residents to comfortably live in the community in which they work.

INTRODUCING MY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

Saul Tapia Vega - Community Engagement Manager - Constituent Services and Community Outreach

Saul is from Lafayette and has been with the Governor’s Office since the beginning of my second term. Saul will manage the correspondence and constituent services programs, connecting constituents to state agencies and community resources to get them the support and answers they need. Saul can be reached at [email protected].

Meishan Wright - Community Engagement Manager - Community Relations and Event Planning

Meishan is from Boulder, CO and has worked in the Governor’s Office since the beginning of my second term. She will focus on growing relationships throughout the state and planning community engagement events around the state to engage all Coloradans. Meishan can be reached at [email protected].

EVENTS CORNER - All events are free and family friendly

• Lunar New Year at the Far East Center - Sat, Feb 10 @10:30am
• Free Day at the Denver Art Museum - Sat, Feb 27 @10:00am - 5:00pm

If you would like to submit an event for us to include in our newsletter, please use this google form.

STAY CONNECTED!

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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

This week, I would like to take a moment to spotlight our Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS). Through the work of CDPS, all Coloradans are able to live and prosper in safer and more resilient communities. CDPS consists of five operational divisions, including the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado State Patrol, the Division of Fire Prevention & Control, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. I am grateful for all the work being done by CDPS, as they bring us closer to achieving our goal of making Colorado a top 10 safest state!

You can learn more about CDPS and all they work they do here: https://publicsafety.colorado.gov/

WHAT WE'RE READING

Lots of books are floating around the office these days! Rebecca Yarros’s “Fourth Wing” and “Iron Flame,” Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn” series are all getting a lot of office buzz! …but it’s not all dragons, quests, and high fantasy! Some of us are trying our hand at some detective fiction with Riley Sager’s new book “The Only One Left.” It’s a gothic thriller that twists and turns every chapter, leaving readers guessing until the very end! If solving mysteries is your cup of tea, we can’t recommend it enough!

• Iron Flame Series - Rebecca Yarros
• Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
• The Only One Left - Riley Sager 
• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
• Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner
• The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store - James McBride

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

It’s award season so a lot of us are trying to get caught up with everything we missed over the last year! For TV, The Bear and Succession are sweeping the award shows (and we think that is deservedly so!), but we’d like to highlight Brie Larson’s wonderful performance as Elizabeth Zott in “Lessons in Chemistry.” As for the silver screen, the office is on a Musical kick! Wonka and Mean Girls were pleasant surprises that have us thinking that maybe every movie should be a Musical?

TV:

• Lessons in Chemistry
• Fargo
• The Bear
• Succession
• The Fall of the House of Usher

Movies:

• Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour 
• Maestro
• Mean Girls (The Musical and the original!)
• Asteroid City
• The Holdovers
• Wonka

There's a job opening with my Constituent Services and Correspondence team!

If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining the team, you can find the posting here.