The 2024 session is over. Here’s why you should already be planning for 2025.

By Meghan Graf

Published May 10, 2024

Have you ever had a friend who pops up once a year to check in and then vanishes again, as if they’ve fulfilled their annual catch-up obligation? No one likes that friend. In fact, it’s an unfortunate experience most of us have shared. It makes it impossible to cultivate a real, lasting friendship that grows and evolves over time. And, inevitably, when that friend calls to check in the next year, you’ll spend time trying to find common ground instead of building upon the real foundation of your relationship.

The same thing happens when the legislature and stakeholders go their separate ways at the end of session.
 
I know what you’re thinking—“friendship” and “state legislature” aren’t two terms that you’d normally associate with one another, especially in this day and age. And it’s not about friendship per se, but the same sentiment applies. If you close up shop on your public affairs efforts until later this year or even early next, you’ll become that friend —not just to legislators but also to stakeholders, the media, your best advocates and more. Continued outreach and engagement is needed to ensure you’re set up for success next year. Stay present, relevant, and informed year round to create the biggest impact.
 
Here are three ways you can get a head start on the 2025 session to make sure your issues and relationships are getting stronger with time and attention:

  1. Plan, plan, plan (but expect it to change) : As the famous fictional race car driver Ricky Bobby once said, “if you ain’t first, you’re last.” Sit down with your internal and external partners and map out a 360-degree plan for what continued engagement looks like heading into 2025 session. Think about what went well during this session and what could be improved upon. The sooner you can do this, the better equipped you’ll be.
  2. Show your stakeholders some love: Establish a regular communications cadence with stakeholders, advocates, legislators and the media. Make sure they’re up to date on the issues your organization cares about and the road ahead so they can be easily activated, and you don’t have to waste valuable time catching up. Baseline education and awareness will help your issue break through a notoriously crowded space.
  3. Keep your finger on the pulse: News never sleeps. While you’re monitoring industry trends in the non-legislative season, there is tremendous value in monitoring and dissecting political news and trends in Colorado, other states and nationally. Information is power and can help provide context for inevitable adjustments to your plan.

 
Get a head start on 2025 – it’ll be here before you know it!

Meghan Graf

Meghan Graf has more than 10 years of experience developing and managing integrated public affairs campaigns. Meghan’s tailored and nimble approach to campaign management is designed to resonate with key stakeholders including policymakers, regulators, the media and community influencers. 

Meghan began her career in Washington, D.C. working on Capitol Hill, serving as then-Representative Mike Coffman’s communications director. After dipping her toe into public affairs agency life for several years, Meghan joined then-Sen. Cory Gardner’s 2020 re-election campaign as press secretary and temporarily relocated to Colorado. After the campaign, Meghan returned to D.C. agency life, but, after falling in love with Colorado, knew she had to make the move out West. Four years later, Meghan permanently relocated to Denver, where she joined 76 Group in 2024.

A self-described jack-of-all-trades, Meghan found a niche in taking on complicated projects with no set blueprint, allowing her to thrive in creativity and uncertainty—and delivering winning results for her clients. Meghan has worked across industries—energy, manufacturing, healthcare, telecom and more—to develop and manage campaigns impacting all levels of government. Using a mix of public relations, advocacy and management expertise, Meghan’s unique combination of skills coupled with her “no task too small” attitude makes her a great fit for clients looking for a well-rounded approach to their needs. An Atlanta native, Meghan lives in Denver with her two cats—Noodle and Birdie—and shepherd-mix, Monty. When Meghan isn’t tending to her needy (but very cute) pets, she spends her free time taking in all the live music her schedule can possibly handle, watching her beloved Steelers, golfing and trying to find the best martini in town.