Advocacy
Nonprofits are uniquely positioned to advocate for public policies that help our community to support a high quality of life in Colorado.
There are a variety of resources available to support nonprofit participation and engagement in state and national public policy efforts.
Nonprofit Lobbying Reform Proposal
Colorado’s current law says that any nonprofit leader or staff member who engages in a single written,
verbal, or digital communication with a state elected official on a specific bill is required to register as a
lobbyist with the Secretary of State. This includes paying a registration fee, filing a disclosure statement,
and monthly reporting for a minimum of one year.
These requirements are not only cumbersome and costly, but they also have a chilling effect on the
ability of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in our state to advocate on behalf of their missions and the
communities they serve across Colorado.
That’s why the Colorado Nonprofit Association is leading a legislative effort in 2025 to permit leaders
and staff members of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to have limited contact with state elected and
covered officials regarding legislation without having to first register as a lobbyist.
Serving and strengthening Colorado’s nonprofit community lies in the heart of our advocacy and public policy efforts.
Our advocacy team leads the adoption and implementation of public policies that strengthen nonprofits and communities throughout Colorado. To follow our efforts and become more informed about the public policies and legislation that affects our industry, click the button below to sign up for our advocacy and policy email updates.
2025 Public Policy Committee
The Colorado Nonprofit Association’s advocacy efforts are led by the Public Policy Committee, who advises and determines our legislative priorities each year. The committee, composed of a diverse group of nonprofit executives and staff across Colorado, brings together expertise from organizations serving a wide array of missions. Leveraging their collective insight and regional perspectives, the committee ensures that our policy agenda supports the unique needs of nonprofits and strengthens the communities we serve.
Advocacy Tools
Advocacy &
Lobbying
- Learn how a bill becomes a law in Colorado
- How to lead voter engagement efforts from the National Council of Nonprofits
- Advice on how to meet with your state legislators
- Guidelines for writing an effective letter to lawmakers
- How to create a fact sheet
- Tips on how to write and submit regulatory comments
State
Resources
- Find your legislator to see which state lawmakers represent your community
- Colorado General Assembly’s website, where you can find the legislative calendar, current bills and audio and video recordings from past committee hearings
National
Resources
- Find your U.S. Representative for where you live or work
- Learn how to contact Colorado’s members of Congress
- Read about the work of our national partners, including National Council of Nonprofits and Independent Sector, to address national issues affecting nonprofits
The Colorado Nonprofit Association works on public policies that advance several core principles:
- Effective tax incentives to increase charitable giving and volunteerism
- Helping nonprofits obtain state and local tax exemptions
- Encouraging effective and accountable cross-sector partnerships
- Regulation of the nonprofit sector that appropriately balances protecting public interests with avoiding burdensome, undue penalties and reporting requirements
- Helping nonprofits meet community needs through fiscal and budgetary considerations
- Helping nonprofits comply with employment laws, pay competitive wages and offer competitive benefits
- Assisting with nonprofits’ integral role in job creation and economic development in Colorado
- Working with nonprofits to engage in nonpartisan advocacy and civic engagement activities
Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Colorado.
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Advocacy SUPPORT
WE’RE HAPPY TO TALK!
Contact Jack Murphy, Associate Director of Government Affairs
