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Program Description
Each year, nearly 500 high school students from 30 of the 64 counties in Colorado come to Denver’s Capitol Hill. Participants Each year, nearly 500 high school students from 30 of the 64 counties in Colorado come to Denver’s Capitol Hill. Participants observe the House and Senate in action and have the invaluable opportunity to learn about important issues in other parts of their state. Though the insights they gain from their peers, participants return home with the knowledge and skills to identify problems and draw on local resources to create long-term, sustainable change.
Program outcomes:
- Facilitate interest in state and local government, law and public policy through activities and simulations designed to explore the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
- Impart a willingness to become involved in the political process and empower students to have a voice and act as leaders in their communities.
- Increase awareness of issues facing specific regions, communities, and populations across the state, and impart an understanding of how to affect change around these issues.
- Foster communication and collaboration among students from different regions and backgrounds throughout Colorado.
Upcoming session:
February 26 – February 28, 2012
Apply Today!
To apply to Colorado Close Up, please print out, complete and turn in Application and Forms Packet to your designated teacher:
What does a program schedule look like? See the sample schedule below:
Sunday
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Arrival, Registration, Introductions and Welcome
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
What is Your Political Party or Position?
Students explore the various political agendas and consider their own perspectives.
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hot Issues
Students work with their peers to create solutions addressing the Hot Issues in their communities, examining the positive and negative consequences related to those solutions.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Role of the Media: The Art of Asking Questions
A media professional joins students to discuss the impact of the media in the political realm and help students learn to form the “perfect question.”
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Break
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Banquet & Keynote – Mock Press Conference
A community leader speaks to students about the importance of civic engagement and being leaders in their own communities.
A community leader speaks to students about the importance of civic engagement and being leaders in their own communities.
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
School Team Meetings
Students meet in their school groups to debrief the things they learned during the day and prepare for tomorrow.
Students meet in their school groups to debrief the things they learned during the day and prepare for tomorrow.
Monday
7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
The Judicial Branch – Mock Supreme Court Trial
Students learn about the judicial branch by participating in a mock Supreme Court Trial. A judge from the Colorado State Court of Appeals and two attorneys assist with this activity.
Students learn about the judicial branch by participating in a mock Supreme Court Trial. A judge from the Colorado State Court of Appeals and two attorneys assist with this activity.
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Observe House/ Senate; Meet Legislators
School groups visit their Legislators’ offices and observe the House and Senate as they argue proposed legislature.
School groups visit their Legislators’ offices and observe the House and Senate as they argue proposed legislature.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:00p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
The Art of Lobbying
Directed by a registered lobbyist, students formulate and present persuasive lobbying positions to learn about the effectiveness of lobbying in the legislative process.
Directed by a registered lobbyist, students formulate and present persuasive lobbying positions to learn about the effectiveness of lobbying in the legislative process.
1:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Meetings
Students observe the “real work” of the Legislature during their Committee Meetings.
Students observe the “real work” of the Legislature during their Committee Meetings.
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Executive Branch— Speaker from the Governor’s Office or Tour of the Governor’s Mansion
Students learn about the Executive Branch by visiting the Governor’s Mansion and/or meeting his key staff members.
Students learn about the Executive Branch by visiting the Governor’s Mansion and/or meeting his key staff members.
5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Break
6:15 p.m - 9:00 p.m.
Dinner and Theater: Chicken Lips – Inside the Box & Out
An improvisational theater production created especially for CCU students!
An improvisational theater production created especially for CCU students!
Tuesday
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Hot Issues Breakfast with your Legislators
Students have the opportunity for one-on-one conversation with their state legislators about the Hot Issues in their communities.
Students have the opportunity for one-on-one conversation with their state legislators about the Hot Issues in their communities.
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Court Overview
Students discuss the legal process and justice.
Students discuss the legal process and justice.
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Observe Courts
Students observe city and county courts in session.
Students observe city and county courts in session.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Attorney Court Debrief
A local attorney joins students to debrief the city and county courts observations.
A local attorney joins students to debrief the city and county courts observations.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Taking Home What You Learned—Closing
12:00 p.m. - Depart
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