Tributes: A Simple Way to Send Kudos Back to Your Community

by: Matt Dawkins and Patti Dahlberg

Tributes may be a useful tool that a legislator can use in reaching out to constituents. Colorado legislators are not limited in the number of tributes they may request to recognize or commend an individual or organization. The content of a tribute is unique to each request and can be designed to fit the needs of each request — it can be short and created fairly quickly or it can be longer and contain specific information provided by the legislator.

Tributes also make for an attractive presentation to the recipient. They are presented in a calligraphy font, printed on presentation-grade paper, and placed in a special folder. In addition, a legislator has the option of presenting the tribute in a frame for display on a wall. Frames are available for purchase at the House front desk. Tributes are signed by the Speaker of the House or the President of the Senate, or, in the case of joint tributes, both.

A Tribute from the House of Representatives

A tribute or joint tribute in either chamber:

  • offers congratulations for significant public achievement;
  • recognizes meritorious individual achievement;
  • expresses appreciation for service to the state or the General Assembly;
  • recognizes an individual’s service in the military; or
  • extends greetings to prominent visitors.

In addition, a tribute or joint tribute may:

  • recognize any individual, organization, or group for a significant event or accomplishment;
  • congratulate the members of any academic or athletic organization for achieving a specific historical, scientific, educational, or athletic goal, such as winning a league, state, or national title, competition, or championship; or
  • designate a specified day for observing achievements, events, service, or accomplishments.

A memorial tribute or joint memorial tribute expresses sentiment on the death of any person who has not served as a member of the General Assembly.

To request a tribute or memorial tribute in the House, a legislator should talk to the front desk staff. In the Senate, a legislator should talk to Senate Services.

For a copy of a chart and rules explaining tributes in more detail, stop by the Office of Legislative Legal Services, Room 091. A legislator may also discuss the rules regarding tributes with the Chief Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate.