Tips on Letter Writing
A written letter to your elected officials or local media is one of the most effective ways to express your support.

• Identify yourself: Give your name, address and contact information. If you have met or talked to your legislator before, make a reference to that contact.
• Use CEC action alerts: Action alerts provide background, structure and talking points. Check out specific alerts if you need more info!
• Use your own words and a knowledgeable voice: A handwritten or typed letter sent via “snail mail” is very effective, although an email will work too if you don't have time. Form letters are not nearly as affective. Personalize the message with how this issue directly affects you. If a bill has already been introduced, include the bill number. If not, give a brief overview of the issue. Make sure you ask for a response to your letter
• Be clear and concise: Clearly state your position on the issue and what you want the legislator to do. Be direct and firm, but not hostile. Stick to just one issue and keep it to one page, as it is more likely to be read.
• If you are mailing the letter: While legislature is in session January - May, send your letter to the legislator’s capitol address. From June - December send the letter to their home address.

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• Follow up: If you don’t get a reply then write a follow-up letter. If the legislator complies with your request (i.e., votes favorably for a bill), send a thank you note.
• Tell CEC how it went: Please call or e-mail volunteer@cecenviro.org at (303) 405-6705 and tell us how it went.

Tips for writing a letter to the editor
You can write a letter to the editor in response to an article, an editorial, someone else’s letter to the editor, or on an environmental topic you find important.

• Read other letters: Get familiar with the format and language that people who get published use. Some papers only choose letters that relate to recent articles, while others print nearly every letter, regardless of topic.
• Use our action alerts as a guide for your letter: Our action alerts will provide you with background material and talking points, which are very useful if you need additional information. Stay focused so that your message is clear to the reader.
• Look in the paper for specific guidelines on letter length, etc.: Many newspapers request that letters be fairly short – 250 words or less.  Also, follow the newspaper’s directions about whether you need to include your phone number (which they often use to confirm that you want your letter published), and where to send your letter. Send your letter by e-mail or fax to get it to the paper as quickly as possible.
• Tell CEC how it went: Please call or e-mail volunteer@cecenviro.org at (303) 405-6705 and tell us if you got published.

Tips on Making a Call to your Elected Officials

• Make or follow a call script: Make sure you are comfortable with the message, and that it is in your own voice. Mention the legislation by bill number, if available. Your message should include points that you want to emphasize and exactly what you are asking your legislator to do (e.g., how you want them to vote). Refer to action alerts for background details, structure and talking points. Check out our action alerts if you need more info
• Identify yourself: Give your name, address and contact information.
• Be respectful and brief: Always be courteous and polite; never get angry or argue! Each call should cover only one issue in a brief, concise fashion. Remember to mention the legislation by bill number if available. If your legislator isn't familiar with the issue, give him or her a short, concise summary. If a short call can't do your issue justice, set up a meeting.
• Ask for their position and their vote: Ask your legislator where s/he stands, any concerns about the legislation, and ask for a commitment to vote for (or against) the legislation.
• Write a thank-you note: Legislators need to know you appreciate their time and good work (and hopefully their pro-environment vote!). A thank you note or email is a great way to positively reinforce your message and to follow up and show that you appreciate their time
• Tell CEC how it went: It doesn’t stop when you hang up the phone with your legislator! Please call Courtney at (303) 405-6705 or email me at volunteer@cecenviro.org and tell me how it went. Your feedback is very important as it helps inform our lobbying efforts at the Capitol. Constituent input is critical to getting good laws passed at the legislature -- we couldn’t do all this work without you!

Tips on Testifying at Hearings

• Show up: During the legislative session attending a committee hearing is a great way to get involved! Just being present and identifying yourself as being for (or against) a bill  is useful. 
• Be patient: the hearing may not go according to schedule.
• Testify: Make short and concise comments. Include a few sentences about how the issue personally affects you, if applicable.  Use talking points that you create or that we provide. Refer to action alerts for background details, structure and talking points. Check out [link to our info page] if you need more info!
• Let your legislators know who you are and why your there: This is especially important if one of your legislators is on the committee hearing the bill.
• Tell CEC how it went: Please call Courtney at (303) 405-6705 or email me at volunteer@cecenviro.org and tell me how it went.