At a time when Americans’ trust in the federal government is at rock bottom, citizens in Colorado and across the country are increasingly relying on local government to tackle today’s toughest problems, including homelessness, mental health, and crime. With more than two-thirds of Americans expressing faith in the ability of local governments to effectively address difficult challenges, according to a recent Gallup survey, it’s important to examine how Colorado counties and municipalities are winning these battles. At the Advance Colorado Institute, we have taken an in-depth look at best practices and compiled examples of model policies that other local governments can and should enact.
Michael Tsogt is a Policy Analyst at the Advance Colorado Institute. His areas of policy and research include education, budget/fiscal matters, and TABOR. He has testified on a wide range of bills before the Colorado legislature, including a bill proposing education savings accounts for special needs and foster care kids in Colorado. During his undergraduate years, Michael was elected as an Academic Senator for student government, covered sports & entertainment for the student newspaper, and participated in several political fellowships and opportunities, including the Center for the Study of Government and the Individual as a Bastiat Fellow. Prior to COVID interrupting plans, Michael was accepted into a study abroad program at Oxford University where he had intended to study Aristotle and political philosophy for a semester. Michael graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in political science. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs.
Kristi is the Executive Vice President at the Advance Colorado Institute. She is the former Chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party — the first woman to be elected in 40 years and the youngest Chair in Colorado Republican history. Kristi previously worked as a policy analyst for State Senator Tim Neville, helping to pass the Free Speech on Campus Bill and an anti-human trafficking law, both successful bipartisan efforts. Kristi is a constitutional attorney, focusing on First Amendment and Equal Protection issues, and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a former Associate Scholar with the Charlotte Lozier Institute and a current board member of the Boy Scouts’ Greater Colorado Council and the Colorado Family Life Center. As the former managing editor of a news site, Kristi tutors 4th-6th graders in grammar and writing and is a guest host for the Dan Caplis Show on 630 KHOW. She lives with her family in Douglas County.
At Advance Colorado, we believe in an education system that puts Colorado parents and students first through a system that emphasizes:
At the heart of Colorado’s school system is school choice, in which our state has been a national trailblazer for decades. – a system that has enjoyed deep, bipartisan support.
We craft cutting edge policies that empower parents, taxpayers, and teachers and push back on the status quo interests that resist reform.Â
Our 2024 Policy Agenda includes several important education reform priorities. Read it HERE
This year, we are leading the charge to protect the school choice rights we currently have – rights that are annually under siege from the education establishment groups that want to eliminate your right to choose the best school for your children. We can secure our rights into the future through a school choice amendment to the Colorado Constitution.Â
Read our policy brief on this important issue HERE.
We help citizens become advocates and leaders.
Whether you are a concerned parent, grandparent or taxpayer, Advance Colorado can equip you with the knowledge and tools to be an effective advocate for high quality, accountable schools. Learn more about our ambassador program.
And if you are interested in running to become a member of your local school board, you can apply to participate in the Advance Colorado Academy New Leader program. LINK If you are a current school board member, you can enroll in our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program. Learn more about our “You’ve Won, Now What?” program.
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Colorado is a special place with special people. For too long, leaders have stood by while liberal special interest groups and politicians have turned Colorado into a testing ground for some of the most liberal policies and plans in the nation.
