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“I think the thing [the commission] liked most about our proposal was that the number one thing is that we’ll go listen to Colorado taxpayers and get their feedback into these recommendations,” said Trace Faust, senior project director at Keystone.
Community engagement, while often touted, can sometimes fall short of its intended impact. However, Keystone’s experience with the Commission on Property Tax offers valuable insights into effective engagement strategies.
One of the cornerstones of Keystone’s approach is meeting communities where they are. By scheduling meetings across the state, the team gained valuable insight into the unique challenges faced by each community. While virtual options increase accessibility, nothing beats face-to-face interactions. The dedication to travel and immerse themselves in local contexts underscores Keystone’s commitment to inclusivity.
Property tax structure is also undeniably complex, but Keystone understands the importance of simplicity in facilitating conversations. By structuring discussions to invite everyone to the table, regardless of their level of expertise, Keystone disrupted traditional power dynamics. This inclusive approach fostered meaningful dialogue among diverse stakeholders, promoting understanding and collaboration.
“The regional meetings really fed into this process and, of course, the 19 members of this commission brought their own ideas after talking to their constituents and their constituencies,” said Sen. Chris Hansen (Denver), who chaired the Commission on Property Tax. “We had a really nice mix of… those who have a lot of skin in the game when it comes to property tax and making sure we hear directly from them when it comes to developing these recommendations.”
Transparency is paramount in effective community engagement and Keystone prioritizes honesty by setting clear expectations for each meeting. By outlining what the meeting aims to achieve and what it does not, participants can stay focused and contribute meaningfully. This straightforward approach respects participants’ time and ensures productive discussions.
Keystone developed 12 recommendations based primarily on the input gathered from this community engagement effort. On March 15, the commission discussed each recommendation and approved 10 of them to be considered by the Colorado General Assembly.
“Those recommendations will be formalized by Keystone and then sent over to the General Assembly and we’ll start working immediately on legislation that will come out of this work,” said Sen. Hansen.
In reflecting on these lessons, it becomes evident that effective community engagement is not about grand gestures but rather about genuine connection and inclusivity. Keystone’s work with the Colorado Commission on Property Tax serves as a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where communities have a direct line of sight into decisions that affect them. We are remain proud of our approach to facilitate inclusive dialogue and empower communities to shape their futures.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
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.