About the Bell Policy Center
A progressive vision
The Bell Policy Center is committed to making Colorado a state of opportunity for all. We seek to reinvigorate the debate on issues affecting the well-being of Coloradans and to promote policies that open gateways to opportunity.
A unique and essential role
The nonprofit Bell Policy Center is committed to identifying and promoting policies that help individuals and families access opportunity and move toward self-sufficiency.
The Bell’s work rests on the twin pillars of solid, objective research and responsible advocacy. Specifically, we:
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Work with Coloradans across the political spectrum to identify critical policy issues.
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Conduct nonpartisan research on issues that impact many Coloradans.
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Draw on the expertise of a strong staff and a wide network of supporters and consultants.
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Share the results of our research with policy-makers, community leaders and the people of Colorado to encourage responsible public dialogue and debate.
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Make policy recommendations and advocate for changes that will increase opportunities for individuals and families.
Accomplishments and projects
Conversations with people and groups around the state guide our policy agenda. Our major projects include:
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In 2006, Colorado voters elected a new governor and many new legislators. In this publication, Bell Policy Center recommends 37 ideas that will improve Colorado as a state of opportunity for all.
Order a free copy: e-mail link
or call (303) 297-0456 in metro Denver • (866) 283-8051 toll-free in Colorado
Visit the Blueprint for Opportunity home page to
- Read the four Blueprint chapter summaries
- Read the Blueprint recommendations
- View and download any of the 35 supporting reports that accompanied the Blueprint
- View and download any of the 38 Blueprint Implementation Memos, which tell state leaders how to turn the Blueprint recommendations into action and positive change for Colorado
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Colorado: The State of Opportunity Report
The Bell’s flagship publication is a carefully researched report that tracks the gateways to opportunity, explained at right. Bell's policy analysts track indicators within each gateway to identify trends, measure success and spot new challenges.
The Bell Policy Center published State of Opportunity reports in 2002 and 2005.
State fiscal policy
and the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR)
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The Bell’s 2003 report, Ten Years of TABOR, paved the way for statewide discussions about the impact of TABOR on the fiscal crisis Colorado experienced after voters passed the constitutional amendment in 1992.
The report documented Amendment 1’s stranglehold on services — transportation, education, public health and assistance for seniors and the disabled.
The Bell, along with a growing coalition of Coloradans, supported Referendum C on the 2005 ballot as a good step toward responsible TABOR reform. With the passage of Ref. C, Colorado is now restoring funding to K-12 education, higher education, health care and transportation.
Click here for more information. |
Education
The Bell publishes well-researched reports on access to higher education and closing the achievement gap among K-12 students. Bell also tracks state legislation affecting K-12 and higher education. For more information, visit our Education issues page.
Working poor and self-sufficiency
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With major funding from the Ford and Annie E. Casey Foundations, the Bell produced a ground-breaking report, Opportunity Lost: When Hard Work Isn’t Enough for Colorado’s Families, in 2004.
Order a free copy: e-mail link or call (303) 297-0456 in metro Denver; (866) 283-8051 toll-free in Colorado.
Complete report (52 pgs, 5 MB)
Supporting data
Bell analysts updated the report in 2005
Update text (6 pgs, 164 KB)
Update charts (4 pgs, 100 KB) |
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Links to
FAQs • Board members • Partners • Staff
Opportunity is not generated by a single action.
To succeed in life, individuals must pass through a series of gateways:
1. A Healthy Birth
2. A Safe and Stimulating Childhood
3. Building a Solid Base for Literacy
4. Establishing a Healthy Lifestyle in Childhood and Adolescence
5. Leaving High School with a Diploma and the Skills to Succeed
6. Access to Education and Training for Adults
7. A Healthy Adult Life
8. Earning a Decent Living and Building Wealth
9. A Financially Secure and Healthy Retirement
These gateways are like steps on a long staircase. Missing one doesn’t mean you cannot succeed, but it does make the next step much steeper. Miss too many and the climb may become impossible.
Together, these gateways constitute the Cycle of Opportunity — those experiences and events that make it possible to realize one’s economic, social and personal potential.
Read more about each gateway by clicking on the titles above.
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The Listening Campaign
The Bell Policy Center staff developed the concepts of the Cycle of Opportunity and the 9 Gateways (originally 8) after traveling Colorado and listening to local leaders talk about what is important to them.
Read the 2002 Listening Campaign report |
