Guide: How to Testify at the Colorado State Capitol

While Coloradans can advocate for or against policies outside of official proceedings in many ways, committee hearings are the public’s opportunity to participate on the record in the legislative process. In almost every state, public hearings are an integral part of the legislative process. In Colorado, one of the first steps for a bill to become a law is a public committee hearing. 

Each committee focuses on different issue areas, such as Education, Finance, or Health and Insurance, and consists of a small group of legislators from both parties who are appointed by their party leadership. At a committee hearing, the legislator(s) sponsoring the bill will present the legislation, followed by public testimony, amendments, and a vote on whether or not to pass the bill forward to the next step in the legislative process. 

Through public testimony, LGBTQ+ Coloradans and allies have the unique opportunity to speak on the official legislative record, urge our electeds to take a position, and hold them accountable for their vote.

The Basics

Contact One Colorado’s Policy and Comms teams to let us know you’d like to testify. This helps us stay organized, provide resources, and share updates about last minute changes. 

• Jax Gonzalez (They/Them), jaxg@one-colorado.org
• Brandi Hardy (She/Her), brandih@one-colorado.org

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You can share testimony:

• In-person at the Capitol
• Remotely via Zoom 
• Electronically as written testimony

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You must sign up to testify. To sign up:

• Visit www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2023A/commsumm.nsf/signIn.xsp
• Select how you would like to testify (in-person, remotely, written)
• Filter by Committee and Hearing Item to select the bill you’re interested in
• Provide your information to sign up!

What to Expect

About Testimony

• Typically, each person will have 3 minutes to share their testimony. 

• This time may be shortened (often to 2 minutes), and typically happens when many people are signed up to testify. 

• After testimony, legislators may or may not ask follow-up questions.
• The legislature’s timing is often unpredictable and may change with little notice. This is particularly true for high profile or controversial bills, as well as hearings when a committee considers multiple bills in succession. 

• It is difficult to approximate what time a hearing will begin, what time you can expect to testify, and the total time commitment of giving testimony. 
• We recognize the limitations and accessibility issues that unpredictable timing poses for those hoping to testify. Please reach out if you have questions about what to expect for a specific bill or hearing, and we will keep you updated to the best of our ability. 

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About the Capitol

• You must pass through security (operated by Colorado State Patrol) before entering the Capitol. 
• Gender inclusive single stall bathrooms are located on the 3rd floor of the Capitol; a cafe with snacks and beverages are located in the basement level of the Capitol. 
• The Capitol’s accessible entrance is located on the North side of the building. Use of the elevator allows access to all levels of the building inside.

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How to Testify and Share Your Message

Testifying on legislation is one of the most powerful ways to share your voice and influence decision-making. While data and facts are essential, personal stories are what truly move hearts, shift perspectives, and inspire action. Sharing your experience makes the issue real—it connects the legislation to everyday lives and reminds decision-makers of the human impact behind every policy.

Research shows that many voters and legislators remain unfamiliar with the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face. While facts and statistics can inform, personal stories build understanding and empathy. They make abstract policies tangible and show how decisions made in committee rooms affect families, schools, and communities.

When testifying, focus on your story—how this bill will affect your life, your family, or your neighborhood. Speak to what you know. When you share your truth, you highlight shared values like fairness, dignity, and freedom, and you ensure that the voices of LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies are front and center in these critical conversations.

This resource will help you structure your testimony so your voice is clear, compelling, and impactful. Use it to share your story and help bring about meaningful change. Together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable Colorado.

Structure of Testimony

1. Introduce Yourself

• Begin by introducing yourself and grounding your testimony in your identity and community.
• Identify yourself as a constituent by stating your first name and where you live.
• Include identities that are relevant to your testimony, such as LGBTQ+, Black, parent, student, educator, or any others that connect you to the issue.
  
  • Example: “Good morning, my name is [Name]. I’m a voter, a parent of a transgender child, and I live in [City/Town].”
• This is where you establish who you are and how your lived experience reflects the voices of people affected by the issue.
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2. State the Issue (Connect to Shared Values)

• In 1–2 sentences, explain why you’re here today, clearly stating the issue and connecting it to shared values like freedom, dignity, fairness, and opportunity.
  
  • Example: “I am here today to speak against [Bill Name/Number] because it threatens our community’s fundamental freedom to make personal decisions without government interference.”
• Use this section to make clear that this issue isn’t just about you—it’s about all of us and our shared commitment to justice and equity.
  
  • Highlight themes like protecting families, ensuring safety, or respecting diversity.
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3. Share the Stakes (Highlight the Systemic Impact and Tell Your Story)

• Explain why this issue matters to you and your community, incorporating personal stories and facts to illustrate the stakes.
  
  • Example: “As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how LGBTQ+ students thrive when they feel safe and supported. This bill would force schools to implement policies that push these students into the shadows, eroding their mental health and academic success.”
• Emphasize how systemic harms disproportionately affect people based on race, class, or gender, but also threaten everyone’s freedoms when unchecked.
  
  • Frame your story in the broader context: “When politicians restrict access to health care for transgender youth, they’re not just attacking one group—they’re setting a precedent that puts all our families at risk of losing autonomy.”
• Share how this issue will impact you, your family, your neighborhood, and your community. Consider this an opportunity to expose extremism and uplift shared humanity.
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4. Make the Ask (Call for Collective Action and Accountability)

• End with a specific, close-ended question or recommendation for your representatives, calling on shared values and holding them accountable.
  
  • Example: “As your constituent, I urge you to vote no on [Bill Number]. Please stand with families like mine and defend our freedom to make decisions for ourselves.”
• Reaffirm the stakes and values: “This bill takes us backwards, not forwards. Our community deserves leaders who fight for dignity, fairness, and the freedom to be ourselves.”
• Thank the legislators for their time and attention to your testimony.
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Additional Tips:

• Center the Narrative on Justice and Solidarity: Use your testimony to expose extremist motivations behind harmful policies, but always pivot back to a hopeful vision of what’s possible when we act together.
• Speak to the Broader Impact: Help your audience see that while the issue may seem narrow, it’s part of a larger fight for justice and equity that affects us all.
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Personal and Collective Power: By combining personal storytelling with systemic framing, your testimony can inspire action and remind legislators of their responsibility to represent everyone.

Get Involved

• Find your legislators: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator
• Call or email your legislators to share your perspective or ask to set up a meeting: https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators
• Track bills we’re monitoring: https://one-colorado.org/state-advocacy
• Watch and listen to legislative audio: https://leg.colorado.gov/watch-listen
• Schedule a tour of the Capitol: https://leg.colorado.gov/visit-learn