POLICY COMMITEES
A key strategy of the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger is to advance legislative efforts at both the state and federal levels to support the Blueprint’s goals and advance its mission. There are currently two subcommittees (Committees), one dedicated to state policy and the other focused on federal policy.
Both Committees are open for anyone to join — no policy experience or expertise is required to participate! We welcome participation from a diverse array of anti-hunger stakeholders, so there’s increased advocacy power to address hunger across the state and in local communities.
While supported by the Blueprint’s program office and Governing Council, both Committees are collectively led by their members with a semi-formalized structure. Their work is amplified through the Blueprint network and our partners to inform decision-making at the organizational, local, and state levels so they are as inclusive and impactful as possible.
As part of our commitment to equity:
We host all Blueprint meetings and activities in both English and Spanish and also offer closed captioning.
Compensation is also available to anyone who voluntarily participates and is not representing an organization as a paid employee. View the Blueprint’s stipend guide for more information.
We have established norms and expectations for all meetings to support our pledge to equitable practices.
Interested in joining one of our committees? Please contact Greta Allen, the Blueprint’s Policy Director, to learn more and get added to the member list for calendar invitations.
STATE POLICY COMMITTEE
Meets every two weeks on Tuesdays from 12 - 1 p.m. via Zoom
Next meeting:
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Agenda coming soon!
Committee Leads: Greta Allen (Blueprint staff liaison); LaQuetta Walker and Meighen Lovelace (co-chairs)
Committee Goal: To create, execute, and manage a state anti-hunger policy platform that advocates for sustainable, equitable, and effective food and farm systems in Colorado
Committee Value: An inclusive and accessible committee that’s centered on equity and the priorities of communities and individuals impacted by hunger
Meeting Goals: Collectively provide updates on state legislative and rule-making items, as well as create space for partner sharing and requests
Decision-making: The above value is the foundation for any decision-making and dialogue occuring within the group. When partners request Blueprint engagement on legislative and rule-making priorities, group members are afforded one vote per organization to direct the Blueprint’s priorities and level of support.
Key Updates:
Most recent meeting notes & recordings (2024): April 16, April 2, March 19, March 5, February 20, February 6, January 23, January 9
Introduction to the state legislative process: How does a state bill become law? What’s the JBC? And how can you advocate for policy change? Watch our introductory (or refresher) video to learn more about Colorado's legislative process. You’ll gain a basic understanding of the process and common terminology, as well as how you can participate in state policy efforts and what resources are available to help you. (Or view the presentation slides.)
State legislative session: View our 2024 state policy platform. Legislative priorities are often focused on food and nutrition matters but also address other health, social, and economic disparities that impact Colorado communities and everyone’s ability to thrive. Please reach out if you would like to bring your community’s or organization’s priorities to the Committee for resourcing and assistance. (Here’s access to our 2023 policy platform.)
Time to Eat in Schools (House Bill 2024-1301): This is one of the Blueprint’s top legislative priorities, and we’re co-leading advocacy efforts with Nourish Colorado. Learn more about HB24-1301 and how you can get involved in our collective efforts.
Healthy School Meals for All: The new universal school meals program has exceeded expectations in student participation – so much so that there’s a significant funding shortfall to cover all associated costs. Aspects of this shortfall could not have been predicted. And, we recognize that Colorado faces many priorities for limited funding that’s also desperately needed for education, housing, mental health, and more. That’s why we’re working towards sustainable funding that Colorado families, schools, and producers can rely upon every school year.
Farm Equity Office: Convening a coalition, driven by local farmers, to help create a legislative strategy for a state farmer equity office (or other strategies as identified during the state legislative session) — contact Joël McClurg, the Blueprint’s Executive Director of Integration, if you would like to learn more and join.
Endorsements: The committee voted to endorse Healthy Beverage Partnership’s Healthy Drinks in Children’s Meals strategy in Fall 2023. Here’s an update about the City and County of Denver.
Anti-Hunger Advocacy Academy: The Blueprint piloted the advocacy academy, in partnership with other organizations, in 2023. It included a state legislative learning day, along with a mentorship program and weekly learning sessions. With more than 100 interested advocates, the Blueprint and partners are looking to build out the academy in the future.
FEDERAL POLICY COMMITTEE
Meets every two weeks on Thursdays from 3 - 4 p.m. via Zoom
Next meeting:
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Agenda
Committee Leads: Greta Allen (Blueprint staff liaison), Billy Schmick (co-chair)
Committee Goal: Effectively organize state anti-hunger advocacy efforts at the federal level
Committee Value: An inclusive and accessible committee that’s centered on equity and the priorities of communities and individuals impacted by hunger
Meeting Goals: Collectively provide updates on federal legislation, as well as create space for partner sharing and requests
Key Updates:
Most recent notes & recordings (2024): March 28, March 14, February 1, January 18, January 4
WIC updates: More fruits, vegetables, and culturally relevant options coming to WIC food packages, thanks to USDA’s final rule changes; full funding for WIC in federal budget
Connecting with Colorado’s Members of Congress in 2023: Recent listening sessions with staff of Senator Bennett (April 27), U.S. Representative Caraveo (June 8), and U.S. Representative Pettersen (June 9), where organizations and community members shared their top priorities for the Farm Bill
Proposed supermarket merger: Find out what the Blueprint is doing and how you can provide input on the potential Kroger-Albertsons merger.
2023 letters and/or sign-on letters:
Joint letter to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with Hunger Free Colorado and Colorado Center on Law & Policy regarding needed protections for participants who access benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer/EBT accounts (January)
Blueprint’s letter to the White House’s Office of Management & Budget on SNAP collection of race and ethnicity data (April)
Coalition on Human Needs’ group letter supporting responsible federal budget and debt policies (May)
Alliance to End Hunger’s sign-on letter to USDA in support of WIC online ordering (May)
Protecting Immigrant Families’ opposition to any Congressional efforts to repeal the 2022 public charge rule (May)
Protecting Immigrant Families’ LIFT the BAR Act (May)
Endorsement of Rep. Omar’s Universal School Meals Program Act, 118th Congress (May)
Fair Food Network’s sign-on letter requesting Congress to consider strengthening and expanding the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) in the 2023 Farm Bill — GusNIP’s nutrition incentive and produce prescription programs help people with low incomes purchase more fruits and vegetables while supporting farmers and contributing to a broader economic impact (June)
National Women's Law Center’s sign-on letter emphasizing opportunities for the Farm Bill to reduce gender disparities (August)
Union of Food and Commercial Workers’ sign-on letter opposing the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger (August)
Blueprint’s letter to Colorado Attorney General Phil Wesier expressing collective opposition to the Krogrer-Albertsons merger (August)
2023 public comment submissions:
USDA’s proposed changes to WIC food packages
USDA’s proposed rulemaking on Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Opposition comment to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger