Committees
APA Colorado also has a number of committees that allow members to get involved in more specific aspects of planning in Colorado. The committees are described below, click on the link for additional background and contact information.
There are many ways to get involved with APA Colorado. Whether you're interested in joining a committee, serving on the Board, or volunteering at the annual Colorado Planning Conference, there's a spot for you! Please provide your information below, and we will be in touch with you soon.
Questions? Please contact the Chapter Executive Director at Info@APAColorado.org.
Thank you!
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is a smaller group within the Board that serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Board, providing advice and consent on all Chapter policy and budgetary matters.
Who: President, President Elect, Past President, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Communications, Treasurer, Professional Development Officer, Legislative Affairs Representative. *Additional Board or Committee members or liaisons as non-voting contributors as needed.
Tasks:
- Meet between full Board meetings
- Create, appoint, and discharge committees and nonvoting positions on the Board (to be ratified by the full Board)
- Confirm or reject Board nominees
- Prepare the annual budget (to be ratified by the full Board)
- Authorize spending consistent with the Chapter’s budget
Communications Committee
This committee works to communicate news, activities, events, and other Chapter information to APA Colorado members. This includes the Awards Program, Great Places Program, a monthly newsletter, and recurring educational content for the Chapter members and allied partners.
Who: VP Communications, VP External Affairs, Appointed Chapter Liaisons (Optional), Committee Members (APA Colorado members with an interest in Chapter communications and educational resources)
Tasks:
- Annual awards program
- Recurring educational content and creation
- Chapter newsletter content
- Digital media initiatives
- Great Places program
- Messaging: welcome templates for new members, newsletters, website content and updates, targeted emails, etc.
Emerging Planning Professionals Committee
The Emerging Planning Professionals (EPP) Committee connects students and early-career professionals (within 10 years of entering the profession) to networking, mentorship, and career-building opportunities. The committee plays a vital role in cultivating future leaders of the planning profession by organizing events, supporting APA student chapters, providing professional development resources, and coordinating volunteer engagement at Chapter events and conferences.
Who: Student Representative, EPP Chair(s), Committee Members (APA Colorado members that are students, recent graduates, and planners in the early stages of their career)
Tasks:
- Education resources
- Conference and event volunteers
- Mentor program and resources
- Interview resources
- Graduate presentations
- Planner’s Connect
- Partner with associated university programs
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
The goal of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is to inform and help perpetuate a planning profession that is representative of the population it serves. Its objectives are to understand hiring practices and pay equity, opportunity, and promotion, influence the training of the next generation of planners, from elementary school to college, and understand and support the diversity of the profession.
Who: EDI Chair(s), Committee Members (APA Colorado members and allied professionals with an interest in these topics)
Tasks:
- Provide an annual or biannual report to the Chapter regarding the state of EDI within the planning professions in Colorado as it pertains to the Committee's goals and objectives. This report is intended to be provided at the annual state conference.
- The Committee and the report are a resource to help inform the Board’s actions regarding legislation support, conference themes and session selection, membership surveys, and various other opportunities to ensure support for EDI principles.
Healthy and Resilient Communities Committee
This committee brings together planners and allied professionals to promote policies, practices, and partnerships that advance public health, sustainability, climate resilience, and environmental equity across Colorado. In addition to organizing learning opportunities, the committee serves as a technical resource to APA Colorado members and communities.
Who: Committee Chair, Committee Members (APA Colorado members and allied professionals with an interest in these topics and related fields)
Tasks:
- Develop and share best practices, case studies, and model policies as appropriate
- Provide technical guidance and resources to the Chapter and allied partners
- Host events and training opportunities for the Chapter and allied partners
- Collaborate with external partners
Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee meets to track, discuss, and take positions on planning-related bills, working with lobbyists to advance planning in Colorado. This committee also works with lobbyists and legislators to testify on bills and develop language for new bills.
Who: Legislative Chair(s), Chapter Lobbyist, Committee Members (APA Colorado members with interest or expertise in public policy and legislative matters)
Tasks:
- Legislative survey
- Track bills
- Take positions on planning-related bills
- Planners’ Day at the Capitol
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee helps determine members’ needs and works with the APA Colorado Board to set goals based on membership priorities and needs. Within this committee, there are Area Representatives who represent members within six geographic areas within the state.
Who: Committee Chair(s), Area Representatives, Faculty Representative (optional), Appointed Chapter Liaisons (Optional)
Tasks:
- Area Representative support
- Member surveys and evaluation of member needs
- Speciality training and member support
- Membership welcome and recruitment
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee supports continuing education and career advancement for planning professionals across Colorado. The committee leads AICP exam preparation, FAICP support, certification maintenance (CM) opportunities, webinars, conferences, and service events. It also provides coordination and support for educational programming and youth in planning by connecting audiences to the profession through school-based outreach and activities.
Who: Professional Development Officer, Faculty Representative, Appointed Chapter Liaisons (Optional), Committee Members (APA Colorado members with interest in supporting professional growth and youth engagement across the state)
Tasks:
- AICP prep workshops
- FAICP support
- Conference planning and session review
- Webinar series
- Education and training
- Service-oriented events (i.e. community engagement, volunteering, etc.)
- Education and awareness of profession (i.e. school events and presentations)
- Coordinate with other committees and Board roles on relevant educational programming