Voices of Opportunity lecture series

Past events

Dianne Stewart, Director, Public Works: the Demos Center for the Public Sector

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Westin Tabor Center, Augusta Room • 1672 Lawrence Street • Denver, Colorado

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Opportunity and the Colorado Promise
The Honorable Bill Ritter, Jr. • Governor of Colorado

2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Trinity Place • 1801 Broadway, Room 250 • Denver, Colorado

Colorado is a growing state with diverse hopes and dreams.
How do we ensure that our kids grow up to lives of opportunity in a changing Colorado?

Coverage in the March 20 edition of The Opportunity News: HTML • PDF
Complete transcript now available HTML • PDF

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The state of higher education in Colorado
Hank Brown, President of the University of Colorado

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006
Westin Tabor Center, Denver

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What motivates voters?
A presentation by John Creighton

3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006
Denver Athletic Club, Denver

Does anything motivate voters in an era of hyper-individualism, geographic detachment, lean budgets and anxiety?
John Creighton of Longmont discussed five social and attitude trends that shape how voters think about public issues, and the opportunities these trends create for public leaders. His trend insights are based on public issues research ranging from health care and education to social capital.

Full speech • Summary • Press release • Press coverage

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Closing the achievement gap:
A discussion with education experts Richard Rothstein and Lawrence Hernandez

2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Westin Tabor Hotel, Denver

Some critics say low-income and minority student fall behind because schools aren’t doing a good job reaching them. But achievement gap expert Richard Rothstein says that’s less than half the story.

Family income, social class, frequent moves, home literacy, nutrition, lead poisoning, parental occupation and persistent racial discrimination in the labor market are equally influential in defining academic success, Rothstein contends.

On the other hand, Cesar Chavez Academy Principal Lawrence Hernandez says stellar test scores at the Pueblo school prove the school environment can overcome disadvantages students bring from home.

Press release • Press coverage

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The Bell Policy Center December Luncheon
with the Honorable John Hickenlooper, Mayor of Denver

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005
Westin Tabor Center, Denver