The gleaming gold dome of the Colorado Capitol is probably the single most recognizable man-made structure in Colorado. Covered in gold leaf donated by Colorado miners, the dome has proudly stood over our state’s Capitol and capital city for more than 100 years. But the iconic dome is in need of a makeover. While it doesn’t need quite the kind of extreme makeover featured on the familiar ABC television show, it does need an extreme amount of money to accomplish the work that does need to be done.

 

Money is still being raised, but the work has already begun. The need for repairs to the Capitol dome became clear in 2006 when a large piece of cast-iron cladding fell onto the observation deck. Since then the observation deck has been closed, denying visitors the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of Denver and the Front Range from that vantage point. During this time, investigators were also reviewing the dome structure, determining what kind of repairs the dome needed.

 

The Capitol Dome Restoration Project was initiated in 2011 when the state legislature appropriated $4 million to begin the work. Repairs will include the replacement of deteriorated cast iron to reinforce the dome’s superstructure, replacement of 110-year-old bolts, restoration of the windows and repainting. Contractors will also restore the gilded copper dome roofing and apply new gold leaf that will be donated by Anglo- Gold Ashanti and the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company in Teller County. The work should be completed in 2014. If you have visited the Capitol recently, you have seen that the dome is now surrounded by scaffolding and encased in white shrink-wrap.

 

Installing this protective covering was the first step in the renovation project that began in late January. Of course, the Capitol is home to two of the three branches of government in Colorado with the governor’s office situated on the first floor and the Colorado General Assembly (both the House of Representatives and the Senate) on the second floor. Although the Colorado Supreme Court used to hear arguments in the old Supreme Court chambers on the second floor, the judicial branch of government moved out of the Capitol many years ago. As a symbol of our democracy and the center of government, the Colorado Capitol is an important place for all Coloradans. Your co-op representatives at the Colorado Rural Electric Association spend many hours at the Capitol making sure that both the governor and the General Assembly are aware of co-op issues and concerns.

 

As the trade association representing co-op interests, we follow the legislative process carefully to be sure that your local electric co-op can continue to provide reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity. For me personally, though, the Colorado Capitol will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only is it where I spent the first seven years of my legal career as a staff attorney in the Legislative Drafting Office (now the Office of Legislative Legal Services), it is also the place where I met my wife, Deb. Almost all of our friendships are based on the great people we have met over the years who have worked in some capacity, either as members of the body, staff or lobbyists, at the Capitol.

 

You can disagree with the outcomes from time to time, but the democratic process that unfolds under the gold dome is always recognized for its openness, fairness and lack of corruption. The gold dome is a fitting symbol for this Centennial State. Its renovation project is being supported by the Share in the Care Colorado campaign. The campaign is raising funds for the construction efforts. Although the Colorado General Assembly has appropriated funds for the project, private donations are also being sought to offset costs. I encourage all Coloradans to contribute to this worthy cause, this symbol of our democracy. As Winston Churchill once said: “… democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.