Public Comment Policy

The Colorado State Personnel Board ("Board") encourages public attendance at its meetings and welcomes public comment. The Board also has an interest in conducting efficient and orderly Board meetings.

I. General Procedures

1. Any person may offer public comment during Board meetings.
2. Comments should relate to general matters within the Board's mission and authority, not to specific matters affecting only one individual.
3. Comments may not relate to any Board adjudications because those comments may violate rules and procedures that ensure fairness.
4. The Board generally provides a total of 30 minutes for public comment. The Board provides additional time for public testimony during rulemaking hearings.
5. To allow the Board to conduct its business efficiently, the Board Chair has discretion to limit the amount of time for public comment.

II. Public Testimony During Rulemaking Hearings

1. The Board receives and considers public testimony during rulemaking hearings in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-4-103(4)(a).
2. Any person may offer public testimony during rulemaking hearings.
3. Any person may also submit written comments to the Board by the deadline set in the Notice of Rulemaking that is posted on the Board's website.
4. If suggesting changes to a proposed rule, a person should reference the rule, describe the suggested changes, and explain the reasons for the suggestion.
5. For further information, visit the Board's rulemaking page on the Board's website.

III. Instructions for Public Comment

1. Speakers must notify the Board in advance of any public comment by emailing Board staff at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us
2. Speakers must register for the Zoom webinar using the link on the Board Meetings page on the Board's website.
3. Speakers must attend the Board meeting.
4. At the appropriate time, the Board Chair will recognize the speaker.
5. In general, speakers have three minutes for comment. The Board Chair has discretion to modify the length of time allocated to a speaker.
6. Speakers should introduce themselves. If representing an organization, speakers should identify their affiliation.
7. It is not necessary to repeat points made by previous speakers. Instead, speakers may indicate their agreement or disagreement.
8. The Board may ask questions.
9. The Board typically does not respond to public comment.
10. Speakers must be courteous and respectful.
11. The Board Chair has discretion to terminate a speaker's public comment if the speaker's behavior or comments are disruptive or non-permissible.
12. Non-permissible behavior or comments include, but are not limited, to those that:
    • Are threatening, harassing, defamatory, or discriminatory;
    • Incite or promote violence or illegal activities;
    • Contain obscenities;
    • Are related to any political campaigns, political parties, candidates, or ballot issues;
    • Advertise or market a product or service;
    • Contain confidential or sensitive information;
    • Are not relevant to the Board's mission or fall outside of the Board's constitutional and statutory authority;
    • Relate to any Board adjudications.