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DU Strategic Issues Program

Strategic Issues Program

Past Panels

Strategic Issues Panels

As part of its commitment to serving the public, the University of Denver's Strategic Issues Program establishes a unique panel of distinguished Colorado citizens to examine important public policy issues facing our state. Each panel is composed of 15-20 citizens appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Denver. Over the years, Strategic Issues panels have examined important public policy issues including Colorado's economic future, Colorado's water future, and Colorado's Constitution.

Immigration

The 2009 panel on immigration makes a series of recommendations for comprehensive immigration reform in its report:

More about the Strategic Issues Panel on Immigration

The Future of Colorado's Constitution

Colorado's Water Future

Colorado's Economic Future

The 2005 panel examined in detail the fiscal and economic characteristics of the state as a whole. As the panel studied a broad range of issues affected by economic policy, it became apparent that rebuilding public trust and improving the process used for public decision-making and governance are fundamental to the long-term success of Colorado.

Background

Recommendations of the Colorado Economic Futures Panel addressed specific constitutional proposals as well as the need to better inform voters about ballot proposals and citizens about state and local government. Specifically, the panel recommended:

    ...that an independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental organization be established to conduct ongoing research and provide regular updates to the public on matters related to Colorado's fiscal health, other significant trends affecting the state's economy and on proposed initiatives and major legislation relating to taxation and public spending.

Creation of The Center for Colorado's Economic Future at the University of Denver is a continuing expression of the university's commitment to contribute to the public good.

Staff 

The Colorado Economic Futures Panel was staffed differently than the Strategic Issues Program is today.  In order to acknoledge the hard work of those who managed the 2005 panel, we wish to acknowledge them here.

  • Charles (Charlie) S. Brown, Chair
  • Bill Hanna
  • Jim Jacobs
  • Phyllis Resnick
Colorado's Economic Future Panel Members

The distingued members of the Colorado's Economic Future Panel:

  • James (Jim) Griesemer, Chair Professor and Dean Emeritus, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver
  • Robert G. Tointon, Vice Chair President, Phelps-Tointon, Inc.
  • Richard G. Ballantine Publisher, The Durango Herald, Inc.
  • Forrest M. Cason Chief Financial Officer & VP Finance, University of Colorado Hospital at Fitzsimons
  • Richard (Dick) F. Celeste President, Colorado College
  • Cathey McClain Finlon Chairman & CEO, McClain Finlon Advertising, Inc.
  • Gerald (Jerry) F. Groswold Consultant, Groswold Ski Company
  • Steven C. Halstedt Managing Director, Centennial Ventures
  • Wilson (Bill) Kendall President, Center for Business & Economic Forecasting
  • Harry T. Lewis Founder & President, Harry T. Lewis Jr., Investments
  • Kim Patmore Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, First Data Corporation
  • Mary E. Ricketson Dean, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver
  • Richard (Dick) Robinson CEO, Robinson Dairy
  • Marguerite Salazar President & CEO, Valley-Wide Health Systems
  • Thomas Williams Williams Group LLC
  • Jonathan (Jon) F. Zeschin President, Essential Advisers, Inc.ITEM
Articles - What We Learned Series

As the Colorado Economic Futures Panel continued to learn more about the state's fiscal situation, members kept the general public informed about its findings through a series of columns titled "What We've Learned."

  • Public Policy Research Center
  • Are TABOR limits a match for Colorado's needs?
  • Colorado, one state or many?
  • The Dynamics of Growth - a Colorado test
  • We're keeping our Colorado taxes in our pockets. But are we helping the kids prepare for jobs?
  • Colorado's Changing Demography ? Understanding the effects of demographic change on state spending
  • Fragmented fiscal policymaking in Colorado ? Have we painted ourselves into a corner?
  • The funding of higher education
  • Paying for transportation
  • A Colorado test
  • ?The Hal Syndrome?
  • How did we get into this mess in Colorado, anyway?
  • Taxation? Representation?
  • About the Panel
Reports - Colorado's Economic Future

The Colorado's Economic Futures panel released a preliminary and a final report.