Colorado Christian University is committed to developing the next generation of leaders. One of the Strategic Objectives of the school is “To impact our culture in support of traditional family values, sanctity of life, compassion for the poor, Biblical view of human nature, limited government, personal freedom, free markets, natural law, original intent of the Constitution and Western civilization.”
As a means of furthering this objective, from January 4-8, eight students participated in a winter session class devoted to learning more about state and local government. A major portion of the class was dedicated to guest speakers, some of whom came to the Lakewood campus. The class also spent two days at the Colorado State Capitol. The guest speakers afforded the students a unique opportunity to hear from and question leading state officials. Listed below are the speakers who addressed the class, as well as the topics discussed.
Attorney General John Suthers
Topic: Role of the Attorney General, current issues facing the state including the potential suit against the federal healthcare initiative
State Representative Glenn Vaad
Topic: Discussion on theories of representation, discussion on legislation being proposed in the current session concerning privatization of state maximum security prisons
State Senator Mike Kopp
Topic: Legislative procedures. Mock legislative session: how senate committees work on bills
State Supreme Court Justice Allison Eid
Topic: Role of the court, court administration, judicial philosophy, rules of Colorado courts: appointment and retention elections
State Representative Amy Stephens
Topic: Running for office, work of state legislators, role of faith in legislative duties
Colorado Appellate Court Judge Dennis Graham
Topic: History of Colorado’s judiciary, discussion of court procedures
John Andrews, Centennial Institute Director; former President of the Colorado Senate
Topic: running for office, importance of serving, significance of state government, importance of states reasserting their Constitutional authority.
Mark Barrington: Candidate for Colorado State Representative, 26th District
Topic: Process of running for state office
Matt Arnold: Director of Clear the Bench Colorado
Topic: problem of judicial activism, process of removing state judges through retention elections,
Jeff Crank: Director of Americans for Prosperity: Colorado & talk radio host
Topic: becoming active in the political process & the work of Americans for Prosperity
