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Governor Jared Polis signed into law June 21 legislation that creates the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, which will increase access and opportunity for underserved youth and their families to experience Colorado’s open spaces, state parks, public lands, and other outdoor areas.
“Today really brings together Colorado’s longstanding historic leadership in conservation with innovative ways that we can make sure to achieve the goal of inclusion and make sure our beautiful wild areas, like the ones we are at today, are accessible to everybody,” said Governor Polis at the signing ceremony at the Lincoln Hills Flyfishing Club.
“This new grant program will make sure that diverse and equitable access to our outdoors is a reality for youth from across our state, opening our doors to provide a lifetime of being able to enjoy the great outdoors for the diverse youth of Colorado,” added Polis.
“Today we are putting millions of dollars into the outdoors for equity. That’s huge,” said Representative Leslie Herod, who sponsored the bill. “This is our first and a historic investment, and I am so glad to be a part of it.”
Next 100 Colorado, a coalition facilitated by the Keystone Policy Center, helped assemble a coalition of non-governmental organizations, policymakers, and individuals supporting the program.
“On behalf of Next 100 Colorado, this is a really diverse coalition with over 60 local, state, and national organizations. Thank you for your support in improving access and equity and outdoors,” said Jason Swann, western lands policy analyst at Western Resource Advocates.
To learn more about Next 100 Colorado and the work it is doing to establish a just and inclusive parks and public lands system, listen to the two episodes of the Keynotes podcast below.
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Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
Jennifer Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of nearly 6,000 staff working in more than 80 countries and territories tackling the dual crises of the 
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
Llewellyn King was born in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He went into journalism as soon as he turned 16, stringing for Time magazine and United Press in Africa.
Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.