How to Contact Elected Officials

Communication is the Key – Talk to Your Legislator

Forms of Communication, Tips for Lobbying,
Forms of Salutation and Address, Legislative Information

You can have your say about government by getting in touch with the officials who represent you. To find the name of your representative, contact the League of Women Voters, your county clerk, municipal clerk, election commission, your political party or their websites.

Research Your Issue/Organize the Facts

Effective communication is the key to successful lobbying. Contacting a member of the U.S. Congress or the Colorado General Assembly about an issue requires preparation and planning. Back up your point of view with facts. Organizing the facts and responding knowledgeably to arguments of the opposition allows you a better chance of selling your point of view.

Understand the Process

A single piece of legislation goes through many steps before it becomes a law. The time to contact your representatives is early in the process. First get a copy of the bill and read it. Study the issue and understand the positions of both sides of the issue. Prepare your arguments carefully, and allow your representatives time to study your proposals. Remember to tell them that you appreciate the attention given to your concerns.

Know Your Elected Officials

It is easier to communicate your ideas to a person you know or know about. Read the newspapers and watch television to learn background information and voting records. Newsletters from special interest groups also are useful.

Attend candidate forums before elections and town meetings after elections when they are held in your local community. Tell candidates and elected officials what you think. The better you know them, the more likely they are to listen to your concerns.

Choose the Best Way to Communicate

In person:

A personal visit to your representative is an effective way to deliver your message. If you plan to visit the capitol, make an appointment. Your legislator is busy, but will be glad to see you either in his office or when at home in the district.

In writing:

If you prefer to send a letter, fax or e-mail, make your message brief and send it at strategic times, (several days before it will be discussed in committee or on the floor). Addresses (postal and email) and phone numbers are available on several websites.

*Please note: due to screening of Congressional postal mail to Washington, DC, it may take up to 4 weeks to be delivered. If urgent, it is best to phone, fax, e-mail or send materials to the local office for re-routing.

www.lwvcolorado.org has complete information for Colorado officials. Click on Elected Officials and navigate to Send a Message for email and postal addresses.

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Tips for Lobbying

Do:

Address your senator or representative properly.
Write legibly…handwritten letters are fine if readable.
Be brief and to the point. Discuss only one issue in each letter.
Be timely. Write early in the session.
Identify the bill by title and number.
Be persuasive but use your own words or paraphrase suggested comments.
Include your address and sign your name legibly.
Be courteous and reasonable.
Be grateful. Write to say you approve, not just to complain or oppose. A note of appreciation may make your representative remember you favorably the next time you send a message.
Include pertinent editorials or reports from local newspapers or other appropriate material.

Don't:

Begin on the righteous note of, “As a citizen and taxpayer….”
Apologize for taking their time. Your Representatives want to hear from you.
Attack your opposition. It weakens your message.
Promise rewards, deals or make threats.

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Appropriate Forms of Salutation and Address

It is usual to address the President as: “Dear Mr. President,” and close with “Respectfully yours.” For other officials, use their title and last name, and close with “Sincerely yours.”

US President
President (full name)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President
US Senator
The Honorable (full name)
Washington DC address or Colorado address
Dear Senator (last name)
US Representative
The Honorable (full name)
US Representative
Washington DC address or Colorado address
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (last name)
State Senator
Senator (full name)
Colorado State Capitol
200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203 or home address
State Representative
Representative (full name)
Colorado State Capitol
200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203 or home address

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Information

US Congress

For legislation information from the Library of Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov or the US Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, www.senate.gov, www.house.gov.

To find out a Member of Congress’s vote on legislation, phone the specific member’s local or Washington office. You can also check the Congressional Quarterly (found at public libraries) or read newspaper reports.

A wide range of information about U.S. laws and lawmakers is also available through the Library of Congress system called “Thomas” and can be accessed at http://thomas.loc.gov/.

Colorado General Assembly

www.leg.state.co.us

The website contains information on bills in the House and the Senate, schedules to hear bills, voting records, how to contact representatives, copy of bills and other information.

Information Center (Bill Room) is located in the basement of the Legislative Service Bldg., 200 East 14th Ave., or phone 303-866-3055.

Information on the website is available in hardcopy at the Bill Room during the session. If a bill is not calendared (scheduled), you may contact the sponsor(s) of the legislation for information.

For more information, call the Legislative Council staff at 303-866-3521.

To find out how your Colorado legislator voted on a bill, read the appropriate House/Senate Journal, phone his/her Capitol office number or go to www.leg.state.co.us, click on ‘Journals’.

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