Senator Linda Newell, SPHR
As a Senator
Completing her eighth year in the Colorado State Senate, Senator Newell has earned the reputation of being one of the most effective and hardest-working legislators at the Capitol. Because of her bipartisan and collaborative approach, she has been able to bring Republicans and Democrats together to create common-sense solutions for citizens of all demographics. Known as a problem-solver and bridge-builder, 98% of her bills have had bipartisan support.
Since her start in 2009, Sen. Newell has earned over 40 awards from a variety of organizations from business to human services and public health. She has driven significant reform in mental health, child protection, juvenile justice, health care, early childhood, K-12 education, workforce development, and the arts. She has also been called, “the conscience at the Capitol” and “champion for the children” where she has also led alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice efforts, while working toward the goal of
becoming the “most civil state in the union." Sen. Newell is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and the Council of State Government’s Legislative Academy. In 2013, she was the only Colorado legislator to be accepted into the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship program, where she graduated that fall. Sen. Newell is currently producing a documentary film about an insider’s view of the legislative process.
As a Consultant and Facilitator
Senator Newell is a consultant and coach with an expertise in learning and organizational development, facilitation, and conflict resolution. As a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), she has worked with individuals and groups of all sizes in people/organizational strategy and a variety of human resources topics. In her personal growth and professional development workshops, she has helped people transform their fears into excitement and conflict into peace. Sen. Newell is highly skilled in facilitating stakeholder groups to create synergistic win-win solutions. She is certified in the Conflict Dynamics Profile and Working Minds suicide prevention in the workplace. She also works with children, teens, and young adults on mindfulness, compassion, and conflict management.
As a Person
A single mother of two fearless daughters, Linda personally knows about struggle and overcoming obstacles. In 1990, she and her then husband got caught in the Savings and Loan crisis and lost their livelihood, savings, and home; ending up on public assistance. At that time, Linda made a commitment to serve those in times of adversity, and eventually, she recovered and earned her way up to the senior director level in the corporate world. Despite any challenge, (and she’s had many) Linda manages to dust herself off and come out on top. Everywhere she has lived she has contributed to the community selflessly. It is her personal mission to inspire others to live their vision with integrity, accountability, and empathy.
Focus on Mental/Behavioral Health and Children and Families
Since coming to the legislature in 2009, Senator Newell has been dubbed “The Children’s Champion” at the Capitol for her deep dive into child protection, early childhood learning, children’s health care and mental health, and P-12 education. She is the founder and co-chair of the Children’s Caucus and co-chair of the Behavioral Health Caucus where complex child and family policy issues are brought to the awareness of her fellow legislators. Since 2010, Senator Newell has also had a focus on mental and behavioral health with historic progress in resources to Coloradans. In her eight years as a State Senator, she has sponsored over 65 bills focused on the policy area of children, youth, and families and mental/behavioral health, with over 96% success rate. Of those, her major achievements have been:
Founded and co-chaired the bipartisan, bicameral Children’s Caucus
Establishment of the Child Abuse Hotline
Creation of the Child Welfare Training Academy
Establishment of the Office of Early Childhood
Improvements to Colorado Human Services Child Fatality Review Process
Launch of the Child Fatality Review teams in Local Public Health Agencies
Creation of the Child Protection Ombudsman Office
Establishment of the Colorado Suicide Prevention Commission
Safe Placement of Children in Foster Homes
Stabilizing Child Care Assistance Authorization Period
Education in Schools to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Creation of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission
Several bills to Keep Kids from Gaining Access to Marijuana
Consequences of Criminal Cyber bullying Harassment
Creation of Colorado Suicide Prevention Plan with Adoption of Zero Suicide Model
Eliminate Waiting Period for Child Health Plan+
Protections Against Identity Theft of Children in Foster Care
Creation of the first multi-disciplinary statewide Colorado Human Trafficking Task Force in U.S.
Adding Protections for Children Involved in Domestic Relations Cases
Improving the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Creation of Child Care Facilities Waiver legislation
2012 Suicide Prevention Act—getting resources to families of suicide attempt survivors
Updating the Controlled Substances Act
Mental Health Professionals Practice Act
Portability of Child Care Staff Background Checks
Department of Defense Child Care Pilot Program
Preservation of Child-Only Health Insurance Plans
Youth Sports Concussion Return-to- Play Requirements
Noncustodial Parent Access to Colorado Workforce Programs
Improvements to Child Abuse/Neglect Mandatory Reporter Law
Extending Transitional Housing for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury
Consciously collaborative with an unmatched fortitude, she has been able to accomplish what others have attempted unsuccessfully in bringing child advocates, providers, and agencies together, as well as both parties, to help the children of Colorado be safer, healthier, and happier.
Focus on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
As an advocate for stalking victims before service in the State Senate, Ms. Newell made a commitment in her very first campaign to work for better resources and justice for victims and survivors or domestic violence. She kept that promise by sponsoring eleven successful pieces of domestic violence/sexual assault legislation during her tenure. Her major successes in addition to her child-specific pieces are:
Creation of Domestic Violence Habitual Offender
Inclusion of Animals in Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Creation of Crime Victims Services Board
Domestic Violence Added to Collaborative Management Teams
Police Authority to Block Communications (During emergency situations)
No Sexually Violent Predators in Return-to- Custody Facilities
Protection Order Registry Information
Define Domestic Violence in Child Custody
Relocation of Stalking Statute
Civil Protection Orders & Domestic Orders (Elevates safety as a primary concern in Domestic Relations cases, streamlines protection order process, and adds sexual assault to Domestic Violence protection orders)
Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Education in Schools (For students, staff, and parents)
Focus on Conflict Resolution and Civility
Dedicated to peacemaking since she was a youth, Senator Newell has led the charge of civility and creative problem solving into the state legislature and her own senate district. Her works in this area are:
Over a 2.5-year stakeholder process and interim committee, removed Zero Tolerance expulsion/suspension mandate from school policies, and required schools to create alternative methods of discipline in their districts, i.e. restorative justice practices and peer mediation. This was landmark state legislation, which has since been adopted as model legislation in other states and federal policies.
Passed several pieces of legislation to create and expand the Statewide Restorative Justice Diversion for Youth Pilot Program.
Established the first (and now annual) legislative resolution for the month of October as Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado. Colorado was the first state in the country to have a month-long focus on promoting civility, teaching conflict management tools, and connecting citizens with alternative dispute resolution resources.
o Via Conflict Resolution Month, she garnered all cities and towns in her district to acknowledge and focus on ways and resources for resolving conflict peacefully.
o Annually, held two legislative town halls for her constituents focused on conflict management tips and resources available in their area.
Taught conflict management caucus sessions and facilitated one-to- one conflict coaching to fellow legislators. Connected legislators with local ADR resources in their districts.
Active legislative member for six years on the Office of Dispute Resolution Advisory Council in the judicial branch for court-appointed mediators and process.
Senator Linda Newell, SPHR
Service in Session
2009-16 Member, Health and Human Services
2015-16 Member, Joint Technology Committee (Year-round)
2015-16 Member, Business, Labor, and Technology Committee
2009-16 Founder and Co-Chair, Children’s Caucus
2014-16 Co-Chair, Behavioral Health Caucus
2010-16 Member, Animal Welfare Caucus
2010-16 Board Member, Women’s Caucus
2013-16 Member, Victims’ Rights Caucus
Current Year-Round Service
2015-16 School Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee
2009-16 Colorado Workforce Development Council
2010-16 Office of Dispute Resolution Advisory Council
2015-16 Suicide Prevention Commission
2010-2014,16 Persons with Mental Illness in the Criminal & Juvenile Justice System Committee
2011-16 Ethics Board
2016 Legislative Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Committee
2009-16 Conflict Resolution Month Advisory Group
2016 NCSL/NGA Maternal & Child Health Initiative
Former Assignments
2013-14 Member, Legislative Council Committee
2014 Interim Child Protection Ombudsman Advisory Work Group
2009-2014 Vice Chair, Health and Human Services
2009-11, 13-14 Vice Chair, Senate Judiciary
2010-14 Chair, Capitol Building Advisory Committee
2010-14 Juvenile Justice Task Force
2014 Interim Cyber bullying Work Group
2011-13 Early Childhood School Readiness Legislative Committee
2010 Chair, Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare
2011 Chair, Fair Discipline in Public Schools Task Force
2010-11 NCSL/NGA Three-Branch Institute: Safe Reduction of Children in Foster Care
2010-2013 Early Childhood Leadership Commission
2012 Transportation Committee
2009-11 Local Government and Energy Committee
2009-2011 Community Corrections Advisory Council
2010 Public Arts Selection Committee
National Honors
2014 Testified before the Presidential Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities
2016 Presented “Violence Prevention: Agents of Change” at American Public Health Assn. Conference
2016 NCSL Speaker on Child Abuse & Neglect and Early Childhood Education/Health Care
Society for Human Resources Management Regional and National Conferences Speaker, multiple years
Natl. Assn. School Psychologists 2017 Govt. & Professional Relations Special Friend of Children Award
As a Senator
Completing her eighth year in the Colorado State Senate, Senator Newell has earned the reputation of being one of the most effective and hardest-working legislators at the Capitol. Because of her bipartisan and collaborative approach, she has been able to bring Republicans and Democrats together to create common-sense solutions for citizens of all demographics. Known as a problem-solver and bridge-builder, 98% of her bills have had bipartisan support.
Since her start in 2009, Sen. Newell has earned over 40 awards from a variety of organizations from business to human services and public health. She has driven significant reform in mental health, child protection, juvenile justice, health care, early childhood, K-12 education, workforce development, and the arts. She has also been called, “the conscience at the Capitol” and “champion for the children” where she has also led alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice efforts, while working toward the goal of
becoming the “most civil state in the union." Sen. Newell is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government and the Council of State Government’s Legislative Academy. In 2013, she was the only Colorado legislator to be accepted into the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship program, where she graduated that fall. Sen. Newell is currently producing a documentary film about an insider’s view of the legislative process.
As a Consultant and Facilitator
Senator Newell is a consultant and coach with an expertise in learning and organizational development, facilitation, and conflict resolution. As a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), she has worked with individuals and groups of all sizes in people/organizational strategy and a variety of human resources topics. In her personal growth and professional development workshops, she has helped people transform their fears into excitement and conflict into peace. Sen. Newell is highly skilled in facilitating stakeholder groups to create synergistic win-win solutions. She is certified in the Conflict Dynamics Profile and Working Minds suicide prevention in the workplace. She also works with children, teens, and young adults on mindfulness, compassion, and conflict management.
As a Person
A single mother of two fearless daughters, Linda personally knows about struggle and overcoming obstacles. In 1990, she and her then husband got caught in the Savings and Loan crisis and lost their livelihood, savings, and home; ending up on public assistance. At that time, Linda made a commitment to serve those in times of adversity, and eventually, she recovered and earned her way up to the senior director level in the corporate world. Despite any challenge, (and she’s had many) Linda manages to dust herself off and come out on top. Everywhere she has lived she has contributed to the community selflessly. It is her personal mission to inspire others to live their vision with integrity, accountability, and empathy.
Focus on Mental/Behavioral Health and Children and Families
Since coming to the legislature in 2009, Senator Newell has been dubbed “The Children’s Champion” at the Capitol for her deep dive into child protection, early childhood learning, children’s health care and mental health, and P-12 education. She is the founder and co-chair of the Children’s Caucus and co-chair of the Behavioral Health Caucus where complex child and family policy issues are brought to the awareness of her fellow legislators. Since 2010, Senator Newell has also had a focus on mental and behavioral health with historic progress in resources to Coloradans. In her eight years as a State Senator, she has sponsored over 65 bills focused on the policy area of children, youth, and families and mental/behavioral health, with over 96% success rate. Of those, her major achievements have been:
Founded and co-chaired the bipartisan, bicameral Children’s Caucus
Establishment of the Child Abuse Hotline
Creation of the Child Welfare Training Academy
Establishment of the Office of Early Childhood
Improvements to Colorado Human Services Child Fatality Review Process
Launch of the Child Fatality Review teams in Local Public Health Agencies
Creation of the Child Protection Ombudsman Office
Establishment of the Colorado Suicide Prevention Commission
Safe Placement of Children in Foster Homes
Stabilizing Child Care Assistance Authorization Period
Education in Schools to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Creation of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission
Several bills to Keep Kids from Gaining Access to Marijuana
Consequences of Criminal Cyber bullying Harassment
Creation of Colorado Suicide Prevention Plan with Adoption of Zero Suicide Model
Eliminate Waiting Period for Child Health Plan+
Protections Against Identity Theft of Children in Foster Care
Creation of the first multi-disciplinary statewide Colorado Human Trafficking Task Force in U.S.
Adding Protections for Children Involved in Domestic Relations Cases
Improving the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Creation of Child Care Facilities Waiver legislation
2012 Suicide Prevention Act—getting resources to families of suicide attempt survivors
Updating the Controlled Substances Act
Mental Health Professionals Practice Act
Portability of Child Care Staff Background Checks
Department of Defense Child Care Pilot Program
Preservation of Child-Only Health Insurance Plans
Youth Sports Concussion Return-to- Play Requirements
Noncustodial Parent Access to Colorado Workforce Programs
Improvements to Child Abuse/Neglect Mandatory Reporter Law
Extending Transitional Housing for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury
Consciously collaborative with an unmatched fortitude, she has been able to accomplish what others have attempted unsuccessfully in bringing child advocates, providers, and agencies together, as well as both parties, to help the children of Colorado be safer, healthier, and happier.
Focus on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
As an advocate for stalking victims before service in the State Senate, Ms. Newell made a commitment in her very first campaign to work for better resources and justice for victims and survivors or domestic violence. She kept that promise by sponsoring eleven successful pieces of domestic violence/sexual assault legislation during her tenure. Her major successes in addition to her child-specific pieces are:
Creation of Domestic Violence Habitual Offender
Inclusion of Animals in Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Creation of Crime Victims Services Board
Domestic Violence Added to Collaborative Management Teams
Police Authority to Block Communications (During emergency situations)
No Sexually Violent Predators in Return-to- Custody Facilities
Protection Order Registry Information
Define Domestic Violence in Child Custody
Relocation of Stalking Statute
Civil Protection Orders & Domestic Orders (Elevates safety as a primary concern in Domestic Relations cases, streamlines protection order process, and adds sexual assault to Domestic Violence protection orders)
Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Education in Schools (For students, staff, and parents)
Focus on Conflict Resolution and Civility
Dedicated to peacemaking since she was a youth, Senator Newell has led the charge of civility and creative problem solving into the state legislature and her own senate district. Her works in this area are:
Over a 2.5-year stakeholder process and interim committee, removed Zero Tolerance expulsion/suspension mandate from school policies, and required schools to create alternative methods of discipline in their districts, i.e. restorative justice practices and peer mediation. This was landmark state legislation, which has since been adopted as model legislation in other states and federal policies.
Passed several pieces of legislation to create and expand the Statewide Restorative Justice Diversion for Youth Pilot Program.
Established the first (and now annual) legislative resolution for the month of October as Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado. Colorado was the first state in the country to have a month-long focus on promoting civility, teaching conflict management tools, and connecting citizens with alternative dispute resolution resources.
o Via Conflict Resolution Month, she garnered all cities and towns in her district to acknowledge and focus on ways and resources for resolving conflict peacefully.
o Annually, held two legislative town halls for her constituents focused on conflict management tips and resources available in their area.
Taught conflict management caucus sessions and facilitated one-to- one conflict coaching to fellow legislators. Connected legislators with local ADR resources in their districts.
Active legislative member for six years on the Office of Dispute Resolution Advisory Council in the judicial branch for court-appointed mediators and process.
Senator Linda Newell, SPHR
Service in Session
2009-16 Member, Health and Human Services
2015-16 Member, Joint Technology Committee (Year-round)
2015-16 Member, Business, Labor, and Technology Committee
2009-16 Founder and Co-Chair, Children’s Caucus
2014-16 Co-Chair, Behavioral Health Caucus
2010-16 Member, Animal Welfare Caucus
2010-16 Board Member, Women’s Caucus
2013-16 Member, Victims’ Rights Caucus
Current Year-Round Service
2015-16 School Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee
2009-16 Colorado Workforce Development Council
2010-16 Office of Dispute Resolution Advisory Council
2015-16 Suicide Prevention Commission
2010-2014,16 Persons with Mental Illness in the Criminal & Juvenile Justice System Committee
2011-16 Ethics Board
2016 Legislative Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Committee
2009-16 Conflict Resolution Month Advisory Group
2016 NCSL/NGA Maternal & Child Health Initiative
Former Assignments
2013-14 Member, Legislative Council Committee
2014 Interim Child Protection Ombudsman Advisory Work Group
2009-2014 Vice Chair, Health and Human Services
2009-11, 13-14 Vice Chair, Senate Judiciary
2010-14 Chair, Capitol Building Advisory Committee
2010-14 Juvenile Justice Task Force
2014 Interim Cyber bullying Work Group
2011-13 Early Childhood School Readiness Legislative Committee
2010 Chair, Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare
2011 Chair, Fair Discipline in Public Schools Task Force
2010-11 NCSL/NGA Three-Branch Institute: Safe Reduction of Children in Foster Care
2010-2013 Early Childhood Leadership Commission
2012 Transportation Committee
2009-11 Local Government and Energy Committee
2009-2011 Community Corrections Advisory Council
2010 Public Arts Selection Committee
National Honors
2014 Testified before the Presidential Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse & Neglect Fatalities
2016 Presented “Violence Prevention: Agents of Change” at American Public Health Assn. Conference
2016 NCSL Speaker on Child Abuse & Neglect and Early Childhood Education/Health Care
Society for Human Resources Management Regional and National Conferences Speaker, multiple years
Natl. Assn. School Psychologists 2017 Govt. & Professional Relations Special Friend of Children Award