“Improving learning for our neediest children must be at the heart of Colorado’s education reform. Aiding those children least well served by our education system has been central to our program from the beginning.” 

 - Governor Owens to the Learning Gap Coalition

Governor Bill Owens is proud to lead a state whose very name, Colorado, derives from the Spanish "the color red" and has a rich history of demographic diversity.  Bill Owens knows he is the Governor of all Colorado and his policies and appointments reflect the many communities that make Colorado special.

Gov. Owens has:

·        Established and co-chairs the Closing the Learning Gap Coalition, which analyzes and identifies gaps in achievement between minority students and their white counterparts and finds methods to boost achievement levels of minority and poor children.

·        Released the report, “Profile of Health Disparities Among Communities of Color” that made recommendations for the elimination of health variances in Colorado.

·        Arranged radio spots on Hispanic stations promoting consumption of the recommended amount of folic acid by Hispanic women as part of Birth Defects Prevention Month.

·        Funded and supported 500 participants in the Colorado Statewide Parents Coalition Conference held in Breckenridge.  Over 200 certificates were presented to participants in the Los Padres and Las Madres Training Programs, which offer classes to enhance parenting skills in Hispanic families.

·        Hosts and attends bi-annual meetings with Hispanic business leaders from around the State.

·        Named Government Advocate of the Year in 2001 by the regional U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

·        Led two delegations of business and political leaders to Mexico in order to strengthen cultural and economic ties.

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