Hello AIA Colorado Members,
It is my honor to be your 2023 AIA Colorado President. Thank you for your trust and support as we have embarked on another year full of exciting opportunities and fulfillment of goals. I hope that 2023 has started strong for each of you and that you share my optimism surrounding our impact in the built environment.
Last week, Julianne Scherer, AIA (President-Elect), Zach Taylor, AIA (National Strategic Council Representative) and Mike Waldinger, Honorary AIA (CEO) represented AIA Colorado in Washington DC at the annual Leadership Summit. After a two-year hiatus of being together, it was ever more powerful to gather with the national, state and component leaders to discuss the issues of today and reach into the future.
We spent Wednesday, February 15th, lobbying on Capital Hill, each state with their respective house of representatives and senators, bringing their attention to two bi-partisan bills.
The Democracy In Design Act is a response to mandated design styles for federal buildings and says instead that communities across the country would work with project architects to design federal buildings consistent with their preferences, context, aspirations and design traditions. Can you imagine the US Air Force Campus and the iconic chapel if there were a proscribed classical style required?
The Resilient AMERICA Act would make significant changes to the federal government’s ability to prepare communities for future natural disaster events by:
- Increasing funding for FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation grant program (the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program).
- Supporting additional BRIC Programs set aside funding for resilient building code adoption and implementation.
- Recognizing wildfire prevention and recovery as eligible for support which is crucial for states like Colorado. Access to this program is limited though as long as we lack a statewide baseline building code. Passage of this law helps put pressure on the state legislature to follow suit.
Further, we took the opportunity to discuss with each of our elected official’s staff AIA Colorado’s focus on housing and how we as architects can lend our expertise to helping solve our growing state need. Stay tuned for more on this subject as the year progresses.
I also want to give a big shout out to our Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and our Advocacy Engagement Director, Nik Remus, AIA. Thank you for researching, reviewing, and advocating for us all year round and for making sure AIA Colorado is staying in front of legislative items affecting our built environment and the profession.
Being in Washington DC, not only representing over 2,500 state members, but being part of our 96,000-member strong organization, brought me immense pride and feeling of inclusivity. We had many discussions about the importance of being a citizen architect. As trained problem solvers who are conditioned to be forward looking, I would encourage you to get involved in your local communities on commissions or councils, sit your school boards, and volunteer for committees. We are respected and needed to help shape our future. In addition, AIA National has a full-time team advocating for our profession and if you have not already given to ArchiPAC, please consider donating today, every dollar is needed.
I also have been reflecting on my personal journey of being a citizen architect. Starting as an Associate AIA, then licensed AIA, to being elevated to College of Fellows last year, I am forever grateful to AIA for making me a better architect and citizen architect in my communities. Through AIA, I have had a growing network for over 25 years of employers, colleagues, and partners who have consistently supported me and enhanced my different career stages. I look forward to getting even more connected with members this year.
Starting last year, the AIA Colorado board has met in the different state sections throughout the year. Please save the dates for get togethers in each section: March 2 – North Section (Boulder), May 11 – South Section (Colorado Springs), July 27 – West Section (Aspen), October 6 – Denver Section.
“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelo
With Respect,
Sarah Broughton, FAIA
AIA Colorado 2023 President