Legislative Affairs Intern - TERM-LIMITED

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) seeks an Legislative Affairs Intern to assist the Director of Legislative Affairs during the 2027 legislative session. You will track legislation, monitor committees, support stakeholder engagement logistics, and analyze drafted and published laws.

Opportunity to shadow staff, learn Colorado’s legislative process, and attend CCHE meetings. The internship emphasizes hands‑on exposure to day‑to‑day tasks, skill development in policy analysis, and

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a degree‑seeking program at a Colorado institution of higher education.
• Six (6) months plus of work experience in any capacity.
• Preferred: master’s or higher degree in political science, public policy, or closely related field.
• Experience in policy analysis is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Read, track, and summarize key pieces of legislation with policy and/or fiscal impacts for the Department, including bill amendments.
• Monitor and attend legislative committees and bill hearings; document committee discussion and actions on bills of interest.
• Provide daily committee updates to the Director of Legislative Affairs and present updates to Department staff as needed.

Skills

Policy analysis

Communication

Critical thinking

Neutrality/confidentiality

Education

Master’s degree or higher (preferred)

Currently enrolled in a Colorado higher education program

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The mission of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is to improve the quality of, ensure the affordability of, and promote access to, postsecondary education for the people of Colorado. In pursuing its mission, the Colorado Department of Higher Education will act as an advocate for the students and institutions of postsecondary education and will coordinate and, as needed, regulate the activities of the state’s postsecondary education institutions.

Under general supervision, the Legislative Affairs Intern assists the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Higher Education. The position assists tracking legislation, monitoring legislative committees, supporting logistics for stakeholder engagement, and analyzing both drafted and published legislation during the 2027 legislative session. The position will have opportunities to shadow Department employees, learn about Colorado’s state legislative process, and attend Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) meetings. The position aims to provide hands-on exposure to day-to-day tasks necessary for a successful legislative session, develop key skills for career development in policy analysis, and provide professional development opportunities and network building.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position does not supervise any employees.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

This is an entry level position. Under close supervision, positions at this level learn to perform the full range of legislative internship duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Work is supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNSHIP PARTICIPATION

• Work consistent weekly hours based on the intern’s individual schedule
  • (Minimum 20 hours/week, during regular office hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday)
• Ability to commute to and from the Department office (1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202) and the Colorado State Capitol in Denver
• Strong interest in public service

JOB DUTIES

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.

Legislative Tracking & Monitoring

• Read, track, and summarize key pieces of legislation that have policy and/or fiscal impacts for the Department, including bill amendments.
• Monitor and attend legislative committees and bill hearings, documenting committee discussion and actions on bills of interest to the Department
• Provide daily committee updates on relevant introduced legislation to the Director of Legislative Affairs and present occasional updates to Departmental staff.

Policy Analysis & Support

• Conduct real-time policy analysis of Colorado legislation and current state statutes
• Conduct policy research on an array of higher education issues, including performing research and helping write reports, briefings, memos, and studies on policy issues for both internal and external distribution
• Support the development of issue briefs, talking points, fact sheets, and other communications regarding policy and/or budget issues/items
• Gather information in response to legislator and/or legislative staff questions

Administrative Support for Meetings & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the Department’s stakeholder engagement for legislative issues, including developing agendas for the Higher Education Lobby meetings
• Assist with coordination of logistics for testimony, supporting the drafting process

Other Duties

• Assist with the reconciliation of legislative funding decisions and program budgets
• Support reporting requirements for the Department’s Wildly Important Goals and SMART Act

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

• Currently enrolled in a degree‑seeking program at a Colorado institution of higher education

Experience:

• Six (6) months plus of work experience in any capacity

Licenses and Certifications:

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Seeking a master's or higher degree in political science, public policy, or any similar field
• Successfully completed coursework in policy analysis

Experience:

• Experience in policy analysis

Knowledge of:

• Colorado’s political landscape
• Colorado’s political process
• Higher education issues in Colorado

Ability to:

• Remain neutral on political topics and maintain explicit confidentiality on non-public topics
• Communicate effectively, including writing, verbal communication, and proofreading
• Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis
• Apply a strong work ethic and willingness to learn and grow

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)

• Frequently sit at a desk for extended periods of time
• Occasionally may push or pull an object
• Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
• Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
• Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
• Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee typically works in a standard office environment or at the Colorado State Capitol where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a schedule, primarily in-person, based on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor.
• Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.

NOTICE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) drive our success, and encourage people from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, the State of Colorado provides employment opportunities to all who are qualified without regard to: race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status with applicable law.

People applying have rights under Federal Employment laws including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA). Please refer to the mandatory posters at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.