The funding and overall existence of Colorado Creative Industries, our state arts agency, is in serious jeopardy due to proposed funding cuts recommended byย the Joint ย Budget Committee staff due to COVID-19.ย We encourage the arts community of the Pikes Peak region to reach out to your state legislatorsย to reinforce the impact and significance of CCI’s role in our state’s economy and social fabric.
The State of Coloradoโs FY21 budget parameters have not been finalized nor has the state received theย updated revenue forecasts.ย Given the uncertainty of projected State revenues, the State continues to explore multiple contingencyย scenarios to deliver a balanced budget. Ultimately, the legislature will provide the Governor with a budget that meets the agreed upon parameters. Until that time, the impact on Coloradoโs arts community and Colorado Creative Industries is unclear.
What can you do?
- Find your state legislatorย and their contact information.ย Elected officials want to hear from their constituents and voters in their district.
- Arm yourself with data and your personal story of impact throughย the arts.ย There is lots of great data on CCIโsย website. Share why the arts and creative industries are important to you!
- Send your message right away and a follow-up phone call is invaluable to yourย own representatives, stating thatย youโre a constituent.
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No time? Need to move faster than that? Hereโs a startโฆ
Dear Representative / Senator [Last Name],ย
It is vitally important that funding is maintained for Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), our stateย arts agency housed in the Office ofย Economic Development and International Trade.ย I understand that the Stateโs FY21 budget parameters have not been finalized. Until that time, the impact on Coloradoโs artsย community and the future of CCI is unclear.
ย The arts are essential to our well-being. They provide comfort and connection in stressful times.ย They strengthen our communitiesย and inspire creativity. But most importantly right now,ย theย arts and creative industries are a critical economic driver and will beย necessary forย Coloradoโs financial recovery.
- Arts and cultural production accounts forย $15.6 Billionย andย 4.5% of the Coloradoย economy, contributingย 103,401 jobs, moreย than mining or transportation (2017).
- CCI attracts roughlyย $800,000 annually in federal investmentย for the state of Coloradoย from the National Endowment for theย Arts (NEA) with a required state match.
- State certified Creative Districts contribute to overย 31,000 jobsย andย $1.8 Billionย in totalย creative industry earnings.
CCI has been a linchpin in pooling and leveraging relief funding forย artists and cultural organizations in Colorado as a result of COVID-19.ย Their investment in the Colorado Artist Relief fund attracted otherย funders to contribute and helped ensure money was distributedย statewide. Without CCI, Colorado would lose its federal funding fromย theย NEA,ย including critical recoveryย resources through the CARES Act.
In order for Coloradoโs economy to recover, we need to continue to invest in the arts andย creative industries.ย Colorado cannot afford to lose its state arts agency. Please make sure CCIโs funding isย maintained.
Sincerely,ย [Name]