Speak up for the kind of state you want Colorado to be

We wanted to let you know about a wonderful opportunity we all have to help shape our state's future. It's called "TBD Colorado" – Gov. John Hickenlooper's nonpartisan, collaborative effort to create informed and constructive conversations among Coloradans about some of the biggest issues facing the state.

Over the next three months (March through May), there will be an intense series of meetings throughout the state – one a month in each of 40 separate locations, from Meeker and Durango to Lamar and Wray and everywhere in between. Participants will have a chance to learn about and discuss the future of public education (from preschool through graduate school), health care, transportation, the state budget and the state workforce. We applaud the governor's effort and hope it will lead to honest and productive conversations and help build strong consensus around practical solutions to our most vexing problems.

While this is a public process, the number of participants in each location is limited to ensure meaningful discussions. So if you are interested in taking part, you need to be proactive. The time commitment is significant, but we believe this process is important and we urge anyone concerned about the future of the state to consider signing up. Go to www.tbdcolorado.org to learn more about the meetings and to nominate yourself (or someone else) to participate.

For 10 years, the Bell has worked with Coloradans across the political spectrum on a variety of important issues. It is exciting to have the governor also bringing people together around some of these same issues, and we look forward to seeing the results.

Please consider participating – either in the meetings or through other opportunities explained on the TBD Colorado website. And if you have any questions, please let us know.