Democracy Summit: Explore democracy’s past, present and future at 2026 event

Contact for reporters:
Stacy Nick
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The 2026 Democracy Summit at Colorado State University offers a unique opportunity to engage with experts, witness democracy in action, and reflect on the past, present and future of democratic principles.

The three-day event – March 9 to 11 on campus – will feature a panel with Colorado historians; a rare look into active Colorado Court of Appeals cases; and insights from Andrew Bard Epstein, a key member of the campaign team for newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“The Democracy Summit celebrates opportunities to build a more engaged, democratic future,” said Kjerstin Thorson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, which is hosting the event. “We’re thrilled to welcome community members, faculty, staff and students to learn and dialogue across lines of difference – and to highlight extraordinary thinkers and doers who are true civic innovators.”

CSU President Amy Parsons has identified strengthening democracy as a top institutional priority and a foundational role of CSU as a land-grant university, which was established to help build an educated populace and civic leaders. Annual efforts, including the Democracy Summit and the recently launched Colorado Democracy Prize, continue to highlight the critical nature of democracy on a university campus.

Democracy: past, present and future

Inspired by the America 250/Colorado 150 project, the summit’s theme, “Democracy at the Crossroads: 250 Years as a Nation, 150 Years of the Centennial State,” invites the community to reflect on our shared history while envisioning the democratic future we aspire to create, said Katie Knobloch, associate director for CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation and a lead organizer of the Democracy Summit.

“At CSU, we believe deeply in the need to both study democracy and work collectively to realize its ideals,” Knobloch said. “These events reflect the many ways democracy comes to life in Colorado – through civic engagement, through our judicial system, and through our rich and complex history. We wanted the summit to showcase the institutions that sustain democracy and the people who are actively shaping its future.”

About the Democracy Summit

The public forum brings together students, faculty, researchers, civic leaders and community members to examine issues related to democracy, including democratic institutions, civic participation and public politics at pivotal moments.

In alignment with CSU’s commitment to civic engagement, democratic participation and public problem-solving, students will engage in learning that mirrors CSU’s emphasis on applied and experiential education. Events such as the Federal Government Budget Simulation and faculty- and student-led research panels offer opportunities for students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world democratic challenges.

“At a time of national and global democratic upheaval, CSU is investing in spaces where students and community members can come together to learn how democracy works – and how it can work better,” Knobloch said. “The summit prepares community members to learn about the pressing issues facing our communities, navigate disagreement and difference, and be active participants in democratic life.”

Democracy Summit highlights

All events are free and open to the public. Visit the Democracy Summit homepage here for a full list of events.

Ramplify: Civic Engagement Fair

9 a.m.-noon March 9, Lory Student Center University Ballroom

Students can explore ways to make a difference in the community by connecting with local and national organizations. The fair will encourage students to get involved and engage in conversations that empower them to become informed and active participants in civic life.

Democracy: Historical Perspectives from Colorado

Doors open at noon with the program beginning at 12:30 p.m. March 9, Lory Student Center Ballroom A

Moderated by Jason Hanson, chief creative officer at History Colorado, this panel features Colorado historians Claire Oberon Garcia, Nick Saenz and William Wei discussing how democracy has evolved over the state’s 150-year history.

Lunch will be provided.

Keynote: What Did 2025 Teach Us About American Democracy?

2:30-4 p.m. March 9, Lory Student Center Ballroom B

In this keynote conversation, Jake Grumbach, associate professor at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and author of Laboratories Against Democracy, will explore the shifting role of state governments in American politics and their profound impact on democracy.

The State of Democracy in the Centennial State

12:15-2:30 p.m. March 10, Lory Student Center University Ballroom

Moderated by Matthew Hitt, associate director for research at IRISS and associate professor of political science, the first of two panel discussions will bring together political scientists Seth Masket, of the University of Denver, Kristin Olofsson, of CSU, and Anand Sokhey, of the University of Colorado, to explore key issues shaping Colorado’s political landscape.

A second panel discussion will feature student teams vying for the Colorado Democracy Prize. The students will describe their ideas for building local democracy and bringing community members together across differences and disagreements.

Put together, the two panels will showcase innovative ideas shaping the future of democracy in Colorado.

Courts in the Community

3-5 p.m. March 10, Lory Student Center Theatre

During this rare, firsthand look at the judicial system in action, students and the public will observe as the Colorado Court of Appeals hears oral arguments from two real, active cases. CSU alumni Chief Judge Gilbert Román and Judge Craig Welling, alongside Judge Stephanie Dunn, will preside. Each argument will be followed by a Q&A with the attorneys, and judges will join the discussion at the conclusion of the session. This unique experience offers insight into how courts resolve disputes and uphold democratic principles in Colorado. Learn more here.

Keynote: Lessons from the Mamdani Campaign 

4-5 p.m. March 11, Lory Student Center Never No Summer Room

Andrew Epstein, communications consultant and political advisor to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will deliver the closing keynote conversation. He served as communications director, chief spokesperson and creative director on Mamdani’s successful primary and general election campaigns, helping shape a message that mobilized new and historically disenfranchised voters.