INTRODUCTION
The effectiveness of the Colorado Forum is based on a history of success in identifying, studying, and advancing solutions for myriad public policy challenges facing the State of Colorado. We engage in deep research and thoughtful discussion, invite and listen to advocates on every side of an issue, and partner with others to create positive outcomes for Colorado and its citizens. We have worked closely over the years with local, state, and federal governments as well as nonprofit organizations and businesses to affect positive change. Currently, our primary focuses are in the areas of fiscal policy, broadband, education, health care, energy, immigration, transportation, water, and a healthy Colorado.
Our membership played pivotal roles in many important success stories for the State. The Forum is the founder and fiscal administrator for Building a Better Colorado, a nonpartisan, charitable effort to engage Coloradans in a conversation about our State's future. Successful 2016 campaigns for initiative reform (Amendment 71), election reform (Propositions 107 and 108), and a statewide campaign for redistricting reform in 2018 to create fair and balanced Congressional and legislative districts (Amendments Y and Z) were launched and passed by the people as a result of the important work of Building a Better Colorado. The Colorado Forum was instrumental in the timely and safe cleanup and closure of the Rocky Flats nuclear facility. The Forum played an important role in the passage and successful implementation of the Denver preschool program. We worked for over 20 years to achieve the successful completion of the Animas La Plata water project in Southwest Colorado, and we were a key advocate and leader for the development of Denver International Airport.
Membership in the Colorado Forum is by invitation only and is purposely limited to encourage open discussion and direct participation by the members. Consortia from Western and Southern Colorado together with representatives from Northern Colorado, the Eastern Plains, and the Denver Metro area enhance diversity in the Forum and provide a breadth of interests, expertise, and exposure to issues that extend beyond Colorado's Front Range.
Herrick Roth founded the Colorado Forum more than three decades ago. A remarkable individual, Mr. Roth was a WWII veteran, a teacher, talk show host, labor leader, candidate for U.S. Senate, and a distinguished state legislator. He was also deeply committed to understanding what he called “horizon issues,” which he defined as long-term public concerns that needed thoughtful reflection, discussion, and understanding in order to facilitate Colorado’s meaningful and healthy growth. The Forum reflects his vision. In our work, we remember him with great respect and admiration.
