Meet the OTAC Lobbyists: The Team Advocating for You

Behind every major legislative win for OTAC is a dedicated team working year-round to protect and advance the profession of occupational therapy in Colorado.

We’re excited to introduce you to the lobbyists who represent OTAC at the Capitol and help ensure our voices are heard on the issues that impact your practice, your patients and the future of our profession. Our lobbyists are one of the most important investments OTAC makes because the decisions made in legislation directly impact reimbursement, practice regulations, access to services and the ability for occupational therapy practitioners to continue providing high-quality care across Colorado.

By investing in advocacy, OTAC is actively protecting the profession today while helping shape a stronger future for occupational therapy tomorrow!

Get To Know: Steve Balcerovich

What led you to this profession?
I was led into the lobbying profession during my sophomore year while I was attending the University of Colorado at Boulder.  The university was facing severe budget cuts, and I applied for a student lobbyist position in their student government, because I wanted to help the university. I was awarded the position and spent several days per week for two legislative sessions at the Capitol lobbying legislators.

How long have you been working with OTAC?
I have been working for OTAC since the early 2000’s.

What's your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of the job is that every legislative session and every day during each legislative session are different.  The job is never boring and you are constantly learning about new public policy issues.

What do you love about occupational therapy?
I love representing OTAC, because almost every legislator has experience, or knows someone who has had experience, with an occupational therapist.  The legislators always communicate to me that their experiences have been positive and that they have so much respect for the profession.

What's your favorite thing to do in Colorado?
My favorite thing to do in Colorado is to hang out at my family ranch in Elbert County Colorado.  Compared to the daily Capitol chaos, the ranch is peaceful with more wildlife than people.

Get To Know: Tim Coleman

What led you to this profession?

I have been interested in politics and public policy from a young age, beginning with my experience earning the rank of Eagle Scout, where I first developed an appreciation for civic engagement and public service. That interest led me to study political science as an undergraduate before earning a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Denver.

While completing my master's program, I had the opportunity to intern at a lobbying firm in Denver, Colorado. It was there that I realized being a lobbyist offered the opportunity to directly influence the legislative process and help shape public policy, rather than simply writing policy papers and theorizing about potential solutions. I found the work both intellectually stimulating and rewarding, and I knew it was the career I wanted to pursue

How long have you been working with OTAC?
I have represented OTAC at the Capitol for the past two legislative sessions, during which we successfully passed two meaningful pieces of legislation. While I have not represented OTAC as long as Steve, I am entering my eighth year as a lobbyist at the Colorado State Capitol and have developed extensive experience navigating the legislative process and advocating on behalf of clients.

What's your favorite part about your job?
No two days at the State Capitol are ever the same. There are always new bills to review, negotiations taking place, and unexpected challenges to navigate. My favorite part of the job is accomplishing something meaningful for our clients—whether that's advancing proactive legislation or working to amend a bill to achieve a better outcome. Ultimately, what I enjoy most is building relationships with our clients, understanding their priorities, and effectively representing their interests throughout the legislative process.

What do you love about occupational therapy?

It has been a blast representing occupational therapists over the past two years. One of the things I appreciate most about OTAC is how thoughtful, collaborative, and responsible its members are. OTAC has earned an outstanding reputation at the Capitol, and legislators often share stories about their own experiences—or those of family members—working with occupational therapists and the positive impact they have had.

It is truly rewarding to represent both occupational therapists and OTAC because the legislation we work on consistently strikes a balance between advancing the profession and ensuring the best outcomes for the patients and clients you serve.

What's your favorite thing to do in Colorado?
In classic Colorado fashion, I have plenty of hobbies that keep me busy outside of the legislative session. My wife and I spend many winter weekends snowboarding at Loveland Ski Area, and during the summer and fall, you'll usually find me racing mountain and gravel bikes. When we're not in the mountains, we enjoy taking our two pups for walks and checking out local breweries together.