STPP in the News
Recent press and news highlights about the Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program.
Why Legislatures Love Science and Technology Policy Fellows
September 2026
At the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago this past July, one of our Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program Fellows, Max O'Connor (far right), served as a panelist for the session, "Why Legislatures Love Science & Technology Policy Fellows". In this article from NCSL, get a recap of the discussion and learn how fellowships like ours are creating indispensable in-house experts for turning technical issues into state policy.
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Colorado STEM Students Step Into the Policy Arena Through STPP Summer Scholars
September 2026
Learn about the Institute's first cohort of Colorado Science and Technology Policy Program (STPP) Summer Scholars, convening 15 graduate and undergraduate STEM students from eight Colorado schools and universities for an eight-week nonpartisan immersion in science, technology, and public policy at the state Capitol. The program included a policy bootcamp, field trips and site visits, and culminated in students presenting science policy capstone projects. Read on to learn more about how the Summer Scholars developed their skills throughout this unique professional development program.
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STPP Fellowship's First Legislative Session Ends, but the Work Continues
June 2026
May 13th marked the end of the first legislative session for the inaugural cohort of the Colorado Science & Technology Policy (STPP) Fellowship. The session kept the Fellows plenty busy, from authoring over 21 publications on topics of interest to legislators, and joining collaborative networks of other state and federal science policy fellows across the country, to becoming an integral part of the non-partisan Legislative Council Staff, and much more. Read on to learn more about the Fellows' work in year one and what's next for them during the interim session and beyond.
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Scientists and Legislators Join Forces to Build Better Public Policy
February 2026
Colorado joined a network of science and technology fellowships with the launch of its program in 2025. In this article from the National Conference of State Legislatures, learn how policy fellowships across the U.S. are bringing scientists and tech experts into state legislatures and agencies to support decision-makers.
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Fellow Max O’Connor Opens PhD students to their Potential to Influence Policy
February 2026
STPP Fellow and chemist Max O'Connor, discussed their role working to inform policies that promote environmental and technological progress to graduate students at the University of Missouri, St. Louis (UMSL). Serving as the featured speaker for the third annual David L. Garin Science Policy Lecture, O’Connor presented a blueprint for putting a chemistry PhD to use in the policy realm. Learn more in this article from UMSL Daily.
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Inside the First 100 Days of the Colorado Science & Technology Policy Fellowship
February 2026
With the launch of the STPP in the fall of 2025, it's been a busy few months as the inaugural Fellows (R-L), Samantha Lattof, Max O’Connor, Leena Vilonen, and Dhivahari Vivek, settled into their new roles. Get the inside scoop on their first 100 days, from their orientation and professional development training, to their integration into the Legislative Council Staff and the start of the legislative session. The Fellows are supporting legislators and staff with nonpartisan and timely research that will inform upcoming legislation, committee actions, and interested person requests.
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Scientists in the Statehouse: NCSL Awards Science Policy Fellowship Grants
January 2024
Colorado is one of five states that received a planning grant from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to explore new options for bringing science, technology and engineering expertise into the policymaking process. Learn more about these new programs in this article from NCSL.
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In Science We Trust: Denver Museum Gets $100K Grant to Connect Scientists to Legislators
November 2023
Institute director Kristan Uhlenbrock was interviewed in a Westword article about the $100,000 grant recently awarded to the Institute from the National Conference of State Legislatures State Science Policy Fellowship Planning Grant Initiative from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The award will support the planning and development of a Colorado science policy fellowship program to provide legislators with direct access to scientists. The goal is to enhance the interface between science and policy, contributing to more informed and effective decision-making at the state level.
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