Press Release - Youth Council Bill
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER SIGNS BILL CREATING YOUTH COUNCIL
Gov. Bill Ritter today signed legislation that will give young people a formal role in advising the state legislature about the issues facing the future of Colorado.
House Bill 1157, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Roberts and Sen. Sue Windels, establishes a Youth Advisory Council of 40 voting 14- to 19-year-old members and four non-voting members from the legislature.
The council will meet at least four times a year. It will provide the General Assembly with perspectives from young people on proposed and pending legislation and other issues.
Colorado becomes the seventh state to establish such an advisory council, joining Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Washington.
"Young people obviously have a big stake in our future and are affected by what we do in this building," Gov. Ritter said. "This law will give the youth of Colorado a formal voice in the public discourse."
"Given the many challenges facing our state, finding solutions with the help of our youth, our future, is essential!" Rep. Roberts said.
For a complete list of 2008 legislation Gov. Ritter has signed into law, click here.