The Bell Policy Center

The Bell Policy Center uses policy research and analysis, advocacy, and strategic communication to advance systems change that supports economic mobility and equity. We approach this work with a focus on four main areas: Public Funding for Economic Mobility: Legislative, ballot, legal, and long-term strategies to ensure public funding for the essential ingredients and levers of economic mobility, as well as core research and analysis on public funding and economic mobility from an equity lens.Strengthening the Caring Economy: Research, communication, and advocacy to elevate and strengthen Colorados caring workforce (early childhood educators, direct care workers supporting older adults and people with disabilities, educators and staff in the K-12 system) and the families they serve.Closing Equity Gaps: Identifying and tackling structural barriers for historically marginalized communities in key levers of economic mobility, with a strong focus on housing, financial empowerment, postsecondary education, and aging, and a specific racial and gender equity lens.Telling the Economic Story: Telling the story of our economy to policymakers, media, and activists with a focus on fairness, racial equity, and economic mobility.Throughout these four priorities, our systems change work strives to center Community (research and advocacy that engages with and builds from the priorities of affected communities), Equity (advancing greater equity in economic mobility for BIPOC Coloradans, women, and other historically marginalized communities), and Narrative (influencing the conversation around economic mobility and building public and political will for systems change on economic mobility). Our team conducts research and analysis to illuminate effects of the systemic barriers and structural inequities that have prevented communities of color, low-income Coloradans, and other marginalized groups from achieving economic mobility, and support communities in developing actionable policy and systems change strategies for addressing them. Through strategic communication and advocacy, we engage Coloradans in these issues, elevate them with policy leaders and the public, and build momentum for actionable solutions. 2022 Accomplishments included:Released Inflation and Colorados Middle Class, a three-part series produced in conjunction with researchers from the University of Colorado Denvers School of Public Affairs on inflation, its root causes, and the specific impacts it has on the budgets of Colorados residents and government.Released 2022 Ballot Guide in English and Spanish, including analysis of each statewide fiscal measures impact on tax fairness, racial equity, and economic mobility. Presented on the Ballot Guide for community forums and events.Produced Colorado Housing Primer, a report breaking down the causes, trends, and impacts of Colorados affordable housing crisis. Developed several research pieces on property taxes in Colorado and proposed solutions to address housing affordability.Produced Caring Workforce Primer to expand understanding of the larger caring workforce, opportunities and challenges they face, and avenues for future research and analysis. Provided Cost of Quality Care Model as a resource for advocates working to improve accessibility and affordability of child care.Launched In the Know series of quick fact sheets on the issues impacting Coloradans lives and the narratives that form around them.Updated The State of Aging in Colorado and completed a funding analysis of programs serving older adults and their caregivers, as well as deep dives on specific issues within Colorados Medicaid policies that financially impact older Coloradans.Developed several other research briefs and products, including analysis of gas prices and other cost of living issues, fiscal and tax issues, postsecondary education and workforce development, and worker issues.Continued messaging and narrative work to engage communities in discussions of tax and fiscal issues. Worked with multiple coalitions to advance tax fairness and to provide education on fiscal and tax issues.Successfully advocated for a pilot for a small-dollar loan fund intended to help Coloradans with safe, affordable, accessible loan and credit products for short-term needs.Produced a series of materialsincluding videos, blogs, and visual contentto help Coloradans understand economic mobility and fiscal issues.