Lobbying tools:
Making effective contacts with lawmakers
Personal letters or e-mail
Personal letters and e-mail to legislators can be very important in lobbying for or against a particular bill. Here are some guidelines to help you write an effective letter or e-mail:
- Write your letter carefully and check it for correct spelling and grammar.
- Use the legislator's correct full name and title.
- Identify the bill or issue and your specific purpose for writing.
- Address what you believe should be done with the bill and ask for a specific action.
- Localize your letter or e-mail message and tell what the bill means to your community, campus, or school district by name. Be specific and rely on your personal experience as evidence.
- State that you are not expecting a reply, unless you specifically want one.
- Sign your name and give your home address and phone number.
Personal telephone calls
Telephoning a legislator is a legitimate form of lobbying. Here's how to be effective when making a telephone contact with your legislator:
- Call your legislator at his or her Capitol office. Identify yourself by name and home town.
- Identify the bill by its name and number.
- State briefly your position on the bill and how you want the legislator to vote.
- Ask for your legislator's current position on the bill. If he or she wants more information or asks for written follow-up to the call, provide the information or agree to mail it right away.
- Thank your legislator for spending time on the phone. (Your legislator is busy, as you are.)
- Speak with a secretary or the legislator's staff member if your legislator is on the floor or in a committee hearing. Identify yourself and give your address, home town, and home phone number; identify the bill by name and number; and state how you want the legislator to vote.
- If you get the legislator's voice mail, leave a succinct message. If you don't want a return call, be sure to say so.
Personal visits
Nothing is more effective than communicating your position face to face with your legislator.
- If your legislator knows you have traveled to the Capitol, he or she will usually find some place to meet with you. It's a good idea to call or write in advance to state your desire to meet.
- Your legislator may not have read the bills you want to discuss; take some time to find out and help educate him or her about the bills.
- Keep the visit as brief as possible. If you are in a group, keep the number small and have only one main spokesperson.
- Provide something in writing if possible, such as a fact sheet on the bill and the Association's position on it.
- If possible, conduct the personal visit when the legislator is in his or her home town in familiar territory. You can meet at someone's home or in a restaurant, at a school or a business – where ever it's comfortable to get together.
Making effective contacts with legislators
- Be informed about the issue you want to discuss.
- Be prepared with information relevant to the bill you are talking about.
- Be friendly, open, and prepared to listen as much as you talk.
- Be calm and rational and professional.
- Be an advocate – tell what the Association's position is on the bill.
- Be positive and persuasive, but refrain from arguing.
- Be specific and provide examples of the impact the bill will have on you, your job, your students, your workplace.
Use the appropriate etiquette
The Honorable (Legislator's First & Last Names)
Colorado House of Representatives or Colorado Senate
State Capitol
Denver, Colorado 80203
Dear Senator (last name):
Dear Representative (last name):
Call the Colorado State Capitol
Senate Toll-free 888-473-8136
Republican Senators 303-866-4866
Democratic Senators 303-866-4865
House Toll-free 800-811-7647
All Representatives 303-866-2904
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