Data might be the politicians’ go-to, but stories change hearts and minds, said Brandi Hardy, lead field organizing strategist with One Colorado, a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports equality for LGBTQ+ Coloradans through policy advocacy, coalition building and community education.
One Colorado plans to bring more than 200 storytellers to the state Capitol on Feb. 23 for its annual Freedom for All: LGBTQIA+ Lobby Day.
“Sharing stories helps us humanize issues,” Hardy said. “When thinking about a policy or bill, it is easy to reduce it to words on paper, but those decisions directly affect neighbors, youth and families across Colorado.”
She continued, “When lawmakers are hearing personal testimony from their direct constituents, that can change the way they approach a committee hearing” and sometimes how they vote.
“That really is the ultimate outcome of Lobby Day: to see real change happen in real time.”
Most lawmakers “take in the story and ask thoughtful questions,” Hardy said. “That really is the ultimate outcome of Lobby Day: to see real change happen in real time.”
In a national political climate that can feel overwhelming, she emphasized that local engagement matters. “It can be easy to feel lost or that our voices don’t matter, but on a local level, they really, really do,” she said.
To help LGBTQ+ voices resonate beyond Lobby Day, One Colorado will offer a day of training and connection on Feb. 22. Seasoned advocates and first-time visitors to the Capitol will review how bills proceed through the General Assembly and how constituent input can influence statutory language and legislative priorities.
Storytelling training will be paired with advocacy education. Through the programming, Hardy said, “They realize that their voice actually carries weight with lawmakers at the Capitol.”
The training also prepares constituents for informal conversations in hallways and offices on Lobby Day, when participants hope to share their experiences directly with their representatives. While discussions may reference specific bills One Colorado is tracking, the emphasis remains on personal impact.
Hardy noted that stories from parents can be particularly potent. “When parents are provided the skills and tools to have a thought-provoking conversation with lawmakers, it’s really powerful to see a lawmaker change how they’re looking at the people talking to them,” she said.
Policy Priorities Amid a Shifting Legal Landscape
The two-day event comes as LGBTQ+ rights face scrutiny nationwide, with courts and legislatures grappling with issues ranging from gender-affirming care to free speech and religious liberty claims.
Jax Gonzalez, political director at One Colorado, said the organization is focused on three policy priorities:
- Protecting access to health care
- Prioritizing health data privacy and shield protections
- Advancing legislation that would strengthen accountability around what it called conversion therapy
The current moment demands legal precision, Gonzalez said: “Strong advocacy is not just about intent. It is about enforceability, durability and downstream impact.”
That approach aligns with One Colorado’s emphasis on statutory clarity, particularly given that many of the state’s most consequential LGBTQ+ cases have turned on legislative intent and careful drafting.
“For legal professionals, the role is clear,” Gonzalez said. “Stay grounded in shared values, avoid speculation and resist amplifying extremism. Stability, accuracy and restraint are not retreats. They are strategies that protect people now and preserve rights over time.”
Building Long-term Civic Engagement
Although One Colorado has organized Freedom for All: LGBTQIA+ Lobby Day for most of its 15 years as a nonprofit, this is the first year the event will span two days. Hardy said the expansion reflects growing demand from people eager to deepen their involvement.
“It is an opportunity to expand our learning time and the time we are spending with lawmakers,” she said.
Hardy hopes participants will continue using their advocacy skills long after Lobby Day. With training open to those 13 and older, One Colorado aims to empower people across generations to engage with families, school boards and other civic leaders.
Instead of allowing “fear and rhetoric” to dominate, Hardy said the goal is to equip people to organize in their own communities, moving from grassroots to a statewide level.
One Colorado offers year-round programming from Durango to Fort Collins. While midterm elections remain on the horizon, Hardy emphasized the organization’s broader mission.
“Elections come and go,” she said. “The more people understand what civic engagement looks like, the more power comes from people, and that reins in elected officials by holding them accountable.”
She added, “We have our mission; we have our vision. But it’s the people who show up that drive progress forward.”