First Annual
Legislators' Day
On February 20, 1974, the students of CSM through the planning of Blue Key held the first
of many Legislators’ Days planned to be held on the Mines’ campus. The idea of
such an event was formulated in the minds of three students—Dirk Benham, Bill
Warfield, and John Marek—over a drink one evening in early November. The idea came up after our success in having Governor John
Vanderhoof spend several hours on the campus at Homecoming. With budget considerations and
their overall lack of knowledge about the student attitudes at Mines, it was decided to
invite the legislators out here to meet the students.
Blue Key seemed to be the logical choice for
carrying through such an effort as Legislators Day. The proposal was presented to Blue Key
and it was quickly accepted. Bill Warfield was placed in charge, John Marek was appointed
program chairman and Dirk Benham, being president of Blue Key was overseer, with the
members of Blue Key offering to do much of the work in making this program a success.
An invitation was sent out to all members of the legislatures in December, inviting them
to meet with the students in February. The evening would include a social hour and a
dinner with a short program to be offered by the students following the meal.
In mid-January another letter went out finalizing times, places, and also inviting wives
or husbands. At the same time, letters went to Governor Vanderhoof and the federal elected
officials from Colorado inviting them as well. Things began to look bleak as the initial
response was "Sorry, would like to come but have other commitments." Finally,
Representative Larry O’Brien, Geol.E. 1951, was contacted and asked to canvass the
House and Senate to see how many would be able to come. One week before the scheduled
meeting, we found that there would be enough coming to justify confirming 100 seats at
dinner.
Signs were placed around campus directing the visiting legislators towards the Student
Union; the Integral Club was set up for a social gathering, and the student’s
cafeteria was prepared for diner. Bill Warfield was worrying if anyone would show up, John
Marek was trying to find a slide projector that worked, and Dirk Benham was trying to get
the Blue Grass Band composed set up. At the same time, Paul Dorr was putting the finishing
touches to the dinner arrangements, and the bartender was topping off the pitchers of
beer.
What was the result? We had 30 legislators turn out for our first program, much beer was
consumed, the band sounded good, and the students met the legislators and vice versa.
Besides the students in attendance, each department was invited to send one faculty
member. Blue Key also invited a few other faculty members in an attempt to make this a
fun, nonpolitical, non-lobbying affair. As Dr. McBride was out of town, Dr. Gary
represented the CSM Administration.
The legislators response? Summed up in a card sent to Bill by George Fentress, only one of
a number received from the legislators.
From The Mines Magazine
February 1974
By: Bill Warfield
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