As the final day (sine die) of the Colorado Legislative session approaches (May 9th), what has been accomplished? We know that reforming PERA and addressing statewide infrastructure issues were cited as priorities before the session began; so, where are we? As always, there were unanticipated issues to address which this session included charges of sexual harassement and then of course there is the ongoing positioning for mid-term elections. Come and hear two well informed policy analysts provide their views regarding these issues and the legislative session. Be prepared to hear divergent viewpoints delivered with knowledge and respectful humor.
AMY OLIVER COOKE
Amy Oliver Cooke is the Executive Vice President and Director of the Energy and Environmental Policy Center for the Independence Institute, Colorado’s free market, state-based think tank. She has worked in both policy and operations since 2004. Amy began working in energy policy in 2010. She is one of the few state-level, free market energy policy experts, and is famous for her provocative messaging like “Mothers In Love with Fracking” and “I’m an energy feminist because I’m pro-choice in energy sources,” which the eco-left called “hands down the worst kind of feminism.”
In December 2016, she was honored to be the second person named to President Trump’s Transition Team for the Environmental Protection Agency. Amy is also a senior fellow with the influential Independent Women’s Forum, a free market think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C.
She has authored and contributed to numerous opinion editorials, issue papers, and issue backgrounders and has been published in the Daily Caller, Townhall, Denver Post, Pueblo Chieftain, Greeley Tribune, Denver Business Journal, Denver Daily News, Liberty Ink Journal, The Hill, and Wall Street Journal. She has appeared on Fox News, NPR, MSN.com, Devil’s Advocate, Colorado Inside Out, and Power Hour.
SCOTT WASSERMAN
Scott Wasserman has served as president of the Bell Policy Center and the Bell Action Network since August 2016. Scott leads a veteran staff that has played a major role in fiscal reform, education policy, economic security and other key issues that affect the well-being of working families in Colorado. Previously, Scott was deputy chief of staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper and chief of staff to former Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and current Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne. He worked in the governor’s office from 2013 to 2016, advising on education policy, workforce development and healthcare initiatives.
Before that, Scott spent eight years in leadership positions at SEIU and Colorado WINS. He also has worked as a lobbyist and served four years as director of communications and press secretary for the Colorado House Minority Office. Scott graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle East studies.
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