Poudre board renews lobbying contract for at least $51,809.70
The agreement requires at least one full-time lobbyist to track legislation, communicate with lawmakers and testify when directed. It also covers the district’s position on up to 20 priority bills.
The Poudre School District Board of Education approved renewing its contract with Mendez, Barkis and Associates for the 2027 regular legislative session at a minimum fee of $51,809.70.
The agreement runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and may be extended if both sides agree. The fee has not increased over the past two years.
The agreement calls for at least one full-time lobbyist to track legislation, communicate with lawmakers and, where feasible, develop strategy with other public-school representatives. The lobbyist must testify when directed, attend applicable Joint Budget Committee meetings and report on that work. The firm is to support legislation consistent with district priorities that improves school-funding equity and adequacy and provides reliable tax policy. It also must present the district’s position on up to 20 priority bills and provide legislative services on the state budget and other issues in the district’s written agenda.
Director Scott Schoenbauer called the contract redundant because the district belongs to CASB, which also has a lobbying attorney: “I think they do a fine job, but I feel like it's redundant.” He said he would rather use the contract’s $51,000 and some change to offset fees or hire paraprofessionals. Director Ozlem Gurkan asked what measurable outcomes the district had received and whether CASB or another organization could provide the same advocacy for less money. Schoenbauer suggested sharing the cost with other districts and asking CASB what bill analysis, reporting and joint meetings it could provide.
Director Andrew Spain questioned whether CASB could preserve Poudre’s particular voice when some other districts do not share its values. He said keeping up with legislation through district staff would take substantial work and was pretty sure hiring a lobbyist directly with benefits would cost more than $51,000 a year. President Jessica Zamora cited “their ability to analyze what a bill says, how it would impact us in real time,” including bills outside education that could affect district employees or operations. She said replacing the service in-house would cost substantially more and favored keeping the contract for its value to the board and staff.
Director Coronda Ziegler said the board should ask the firm to clarify what it delivers and report its outcomes. Spain offered to keep a log of the firm’s work for the board to review in a year and invited suggestions on what to track. He said the board could ask CASB about its services at its November delegate assembly and explore improving that relationship. Spain said public meetings with the firm were being set up every other week starting in January and weekly through April to the end of the legislative session, with bill reviews and questions.