Colorado Capital Conference returns with strong CU presence
The Colorado Capital Conference resumed this year for the first time since 2019, before the pandemic, drawing more than 100 Coloradans – and University of Colorado leaders and community members – to Washington, D.C.
The conference is a longstanding tradition that enables different communities across the state to interact with the nation’s leaders to gain a greater understanding of the federal legislative process and how public policy is shaped. This year’s June 13-15 event was the result of a partnership between U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University and CU.
As a co-sponsor of the conference, CU was well-represented by President Todd Saliman; Regents Glen Gallegos, Wanda James, Frank McNulty, Callie Rennison, Ilana Spiegel and Mark VanDriel; as well as CU Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano, CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman and CU Denver Chancellor Michelle Marks.
Students from all four CU campuses also attended the conference, which featured discussions with congressional leaders, high-ranking officials with many federal agencies, national news and political pundits, and other thought and policy leaders.
Conference attendees took part in tours of the Senate floor, the Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and a nighttime tour of national monuments.
First held in 1991, the bipartisan Colorado Capital Conference works to foster civil discourse and a free exchange of ideas, while reaffirming the importance of higher education to advancing the nation and democracy. Learn more about the conference.
