What Happens Next?

• The review moves to the Legislative phase

• Sunset bills will begin in the Senate.

• There will then be a “Sunset Hearing” wear the COPRRR representative will report on

• their review to the committee. The committee will then also take public testimony.

• COPRRR’s goal is bill introduction.

• After that hearing, the bill can be assigned a bill number (i.e. S.B. #)

• An introduced bill will then return to the same committee for the first official hearing.

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What can I do to help?

• Send this document to 20 of your colleagues.

• Sign our statement of support and also forward it to other AT’s, Athletic Directors, Coaches, Athletes/Patients, Doctors, Parents, or anyone else that is impacted by Athletic Trainers.

  • You can find this statement here: https://forms.gle/cukdmfoWwDrRmuEY9

• Provide the Fact Sheet to anyone with questions and your legislator. (Also found under Legislative Update)

• Report any instances of individuals practicing illegally as an Athletic Trainer to the CATA President, Jim Keller (coatapresident@gmail.com ).

  • The report cited that “There have been no cases of consumer harm reported over the last decade” and used that as a reason to recommend Sunsetting our bill since there is no apparent risk to the public. We appreciate that this is good that AT’s are not practicing illegally, however, we need to prove that individuals practicing illegally or falsely claiming to be an Athletic Trainer is a risk to the public.

• Reach out to your legislator WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. It is not yet time to reach out since some were just elected and haven’t taken office yet. Stay tuned for more info from the CATA on when to start reaching out.

  • You can also sign-up to be part of this team and receive more direct information from the Governmental Affairs Committee here: https://forms.gle/xyrcaNb319VyQ564A

• Stay United!

• Stay tuned to Social Media and email blasts for more information.

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How can I find my legislator?

You can find this information by entering your zip code here: https://www.270towin.com/elected-officials/colorado

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Tips for Communicating with Your Legislator

• By Letter or Email

  • Make it short - one page or 2-3 paragraphs is best.

  • Write about only one issue per letter or email.

  • If it is a letter, use your own handwriting - if it is legible. Always sign your own name, even if the letter is typed. For email, give enough information, such as your address and phone number, so that the legislator knows this is not a ‘blast’ mailing.

  • Use your own words. Form letters are seldom read and virtually always thrown away.

  • Proper addresses for letters:

    • The Hon. John Doe

    • Colorado House of Representatives

    • State Capitol Building

    • Denver, CO 80203

    • Dear Rep. Doe:

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• • • The Hon. Mary Doe

    • Colorado State Senate

    • State Capitol Building

    • Denver, CO 80203

    • Dear Sen. Doe: 

(NOTE: Home addresses are also proper for letters. Rural legislators are only home on weekends during the session and thus may not receive your letter as quickly during that time. Home addresses should be used when the Legislature is

not in session.)

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Even though emails do not require these addresses, beginning the email with “Dear Rep. [or Sen.] with their name shows appropriate respect for the first contact.

• Use their first name if you are comfortable with it (usually if you have met before).

• Ask for support for Athletic Trainers Regulation (we have not yet been assigned a Senate Bill #). Similarly, ask for their opposition if it is appropriate.

• State briefly why you feel it's important.

• Offer to meet, talk, or give added information.

• Enclose a newspaper article (or a link or copy) if it is pertinent.

• Request information on the outcome and how they voted.

• Thank them for their attention.

• Sign your name and include your address.

• Face-to-face or by Phone

  • If appropriate and possible, call for an appointment or drop a note to say when you will be at the Capitol. If the Legislature is not in session, call their home or office and ask to meet them at their convenience.

  • Greet the person with a firm handshake (no limp wrists or cold fish!), and immediately give your name and organization. If you are at the Capitol and the Legislature is in session, ask if this is a convenient time to talk. If not, when will they have time?

  • Let them know early if you are a constituent (if they do not already know).

  • Be gracious and friendly, regardless of their behavior. Show respect, but don't fawn or be obsequious.

  • Avoid high pressure - but be definite. A low key presentation wins out over shrill every time.

  • If you are talking with them about a specific bill or issue, give the number, content, and sponsor's name of the bill. Get right to the point!

  • Ask if they have a position.

  • State your position clearly: "I'm asking for your support for this bill" - or - "I'm opposed to this bill and I would like to tell you why".

  • If they already agree with you, say "Good! I'm delighted to hear it." If they seem hurried, say "Thank you! Good-bye."

  • If they are not in a hurry, ask if there is anything else you can do to help - talk with other legislators, get additional information, etc. If you do not have the information they need immediately at hand, say so and offer to send it to them (and then make sure you do!).

  • If their position is not in concert with yours, ask them how they came to believe as they do. Give your rebuttal arguments firmly but not belligerently. If you have statistics to give, do so.

  • Write a follow-up note - briefly summarize your position, thank him or her for visiting with you, and offer any additional information or other help he or she may need.

  • After the vote is taken, write again. If they voted as you asked, thank them, which reinforces their belief that it was correct. If they do not vote as you wish, state that you are disappointed and why, and, if appropriate, that you may communicate with them again to provide additional information in hopes that they may see the matter differently in the future.

  • NEVER, EVER tell them something that is not absolutely true. A lie found out (and they virtually always are) does more harm to your cause than a simple "I don't know" or agreeing that an opposing argument has some merit.

  • NEVER threaten, berate, or be personally antagonistic. DO NOT question their integrity, intelligence, or ancestry!

• An Effective Advocate Answers the Following Questions

  • What is the current situation? What is wrong (or right, if it is in danger of changing) with it? How many people are affected? What is the impact upon them?

  • Why does the problem need to be solved with legislation? Why are other alternatives not possible?

  • Will this cost the State any money? How much? Where will this money come from?

  • Will this cost anyone any money? Is this cost reasonable?

  • Who will benefit from this bill and how? How many people have this problem and will not be helped by this bill?

  • Who will be harmed by this bill?

  • Who supports this bill?

  • Who opposes this bill? Why? Why should their case not be considered the most compelling?

  • An Effective Advocate is…

  • Well prepared.

  • Polite.

  • A good sport - in victory and defeat.

  • A better listener than a talker.

  • Willing to learn.

  • Respectful of the process. It may be awkward, inefficient, cumbersome, frustrating, and time-consuming, but that is the nature of representative government.

  • Unfailingly honest.

  • Discreet about sharing the words of others.

  • Consistent.

  • Diligent - willing to do one more thing, and make one more telephone call.

  • Cooperative.

  • Even tempered and good-natured.