Questions and answers
with Congressman Neguse
U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse Live at Growing Up Boulder's May 4th Virtual FUNdraiser and Youth Voice Celebration.
Q: Any advice on getting young children, your daughter's age, involved in the community?
A: It's never too early for kids to get involved in their community! I'd get them started early by bringing them along when you get involved yourself! Have them come with you when you do a phonebank or participate in a town-hall event, or bring them to a park cleanup or food drive. Growing Up Boulder also has some great resources for young children and fantastic programs to get them involved in the community...
Q: With the new big bills in congress that President Biden proposed, do you hear any discussion about early childhood and livable cities work being brought up? This work that Growing Up Boulder does with young kids?
A: The American Families Plan will take great steps forward with respect to early childhood development by providing universal preschool for all three and four year olds. This will ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed and will have crucial developmental experiences and skills before they reach kindergarten. Making our cities livable for families and early childhood is a key part of President Biden’s approach to physical and family infrastructure from affordable childcare to investing in our teachers, all of which I’m proud to support.
Q: How do you plan to help the Colorado climate and environment for kids in the future?
A: Protecting our natural resources and public lands is one of my top priorities, as climate change is among the most serious threats we face today. I want to ensure that my two-year-old daughter can share Colorado’s natural beauty with her children and grandchildren. As the chair of the House National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee, I take this commitment very seriously. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to pass the CORE Act, which will protect over 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado, and why I also support the Protect America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act. Taking a page out of FDR’s playbook, I’ve also introduced legislation with Senator Wyden to establish a 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps to assist with conservation and wildfire mitigation efforts.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to get involved in community change but doesn’t know how to narrow down which issue to tackle? There are so many to choose from!
A: There are so many important issues that need committed advocates and activists, so you really can’t go wrong! There are some public policy challenges like climate change that have very well-established grassroots organizations of young activists in Boulder and across the country that you can join right away. If there are specific issues that you are especially passionate about, I would recommend following local and state government actions on those issues. Testifying in support of or opposition to proposals before the City Council and State Legislature is also a great way to get involved and make an impact on the issues that matter to you!
A: It's never too early for kids to get involved in their community! I'd get them started early by bringing them along when you get involved yourself! Have them come with you when you do a phonebank or participate in a town-hall event, or bring them to a park cleanup or food drive. Growing Up Boulder also has some great resources for young children and fantastic programs to get them involved in the community...
Q: With the new big bills in congress that President Biden proposed, do you hear any discussion about early childhood and livable cities work being brought up? This work that Growing Up Boulder does with young kids?
A: The American Families Plan will take great steps forward with respect to early childhood development by providing universal preschool for all three and four year olds. This will ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed and will have crucial developmental experiences and skills before they reach kindergarten. Making our cities livable for families and early childhood is a key part of President Biden’s approach to physical and family infrastructure from affordable childcare to investing in our teachers, all of which I’m proud to support.
Q: How do you plan to help the Colorado climate and environment for kids in the future?
A: Protecting our natural resources and public lands is one of my top priorities, as climate change is among the most serious threats we face today. I want to ensure that my two-year-old daughter can share Colorado’s natural beauty with her children and grandchildren. As the chair of the House National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee, I take this commitment very seriously. That’s why I’ve worked so hard to pass the CORE Act, which will protect over 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado, and why I also support the Protect America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act. Taking a page out of FDR’s playbook, I’ve also introduced legislation with Senator Wyden to establish a 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps to assist with conservation and wildfire mitigation efforts.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to get involved in community change but doesn’t know how to narrow down which issue to tackle? There are so many to choose from!
A: There are so many important issues that need committed advocates and activists, so you really can’t go wrong! There are some public policy challenges like climate change that have very well-established grassroots organizations of young activists in Boulder and across the country that you can join right away. If there are specific issues that you are especially passionate about, I would recommend following local and state government actions on those issues. Testifying in support of or opposition to proposals before the City Council and State Legislature is also a great way to get involved and make an impact on the issues that matter to you!
