Who We Are

Christine Murphy, Executive Director

Christine Murphy's experience uniquely positions her to build on the agency's record of defending the interests of the poor, the working poor and other vulnerable populations. She joined CCLP in June 2010 after serving as a senior policy analyst in Gov. Bill Ritter's Office of Policy and Initiatives. Formerly the executive director of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, she is an attorney with extensive experience in civil rights, poverty and appellate law. Ms. Murphy has also been an active volunteer with nonprofit agencies that promote public education and affordable housing.

cmurphy@cclponline.org
303-573-5669 ext. 301

Kesi Relyea, Manager of Support Services

Kesi  Relyea joined CCLP in January 2013 as the Manager of Support Services.  Ms. Relyea has a broad background in business and non-profit management. She served as the Youth Link Program Manager at New Mexico Voices for Children, teaching youth and adult advocacy and leadership through tangible issues promoting overall health and well-being of youth and families.  Ms. Relyea graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts.

krelyea@cclponline.org

303-573-5669 ext. 315

Terry Scanlon, Public Affairs Manager

Terry Scanlon is the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute’s lead budget analyst. Before joining COFPI in January 2010, he worked in a variety of roles including serving as a legislative aide at the Colorado Capitol and managing a state legislative campaign. The bulk of his professional experience was spent in newsrooms in Virginia and Colorado highlighting how public policies affect people’s lives. Mr. Scanlon holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.

tscanlon@cclponline.org
303-573-5669 ext. 311

Elisabeth Arenales, Director, Health Program

Ms. Arenales has been director of the Colorado Center on Law and Policy’s Health Care Program since January 2000. She is recognized as a health policy expert and has a particular focus on public health insurance programs, including Medicaid, Ms. Arenales has a strong track record of protecting, preserving and expanding access to healthcare, particularly for lower-income Coloradans. She was a founder and served for six years as board chair of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and served as a consumer representative on the Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform. Prior to working at CCLP, Ms. Arenales was staff attorney for the Colorado Lawyers Committee, where she focused on access to education, particularly in rural areas of Colorado. She also spent one year coordinating complex litigation related to the rights of landowners in and around San Luis, Colo., to access land known then as the Taylor Ranch. Ms. Arenales graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1993. Ms. Arenales has been recognized by organizations including the University of Colorado (Law School Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement), the Colorado Bar Association (Donald Hoagland Award), and Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (Trial Lawyer of the Year). In 2006, Ms. Arenales was recognized as a community health leader by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

earenales@cclponline.org
303-573-5669 ext. 302

Tracey Stewart, Family Economic Security Program Manager

Tracey Stewart monitors policies and programs that improve access to resources that give every Coloradan the opportunity to work toward economic stability and security. She educates state leaders and communities on the importance of helping Coloradans on the road to economic self-sufficiency through the use of critical tools and resources. She also provides research to inform Colorado businesses, governments and communities on the progress Colorado is making in its poverty reduction efforts. Before joining the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Tracey worked with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, where she was the project manager for the Colorado Homeless Management Information System. Before her career in the nonprofit world, Tracey was a network consultant and software application specialist. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree from the School of Education at the University of Denver. She is also a volunteer board member for the Delores Project, a participant of the Bus 15 Coalition and a member of the Denver Human Services Network.

tstewart@cclponline.org
303-573-5669, ext. 314

George Lyford, Health Care Attorney

George Lyford joined CCLP in January 2012 as an attorney for the Health Care Program. He previously worked as a staff attorney for the Health Care Access Program at Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest and as an attorney for Mary Kay Hansen Law & Mediation. Lyford earned a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

glyford@cclponline.org
303-573-5669, ext. 310

Chaer Robert, Coordinator of Family Economic Security Program

Chaer Robert joined the Colorado Center on Law and Policy as a veteran advocate for low-income Coloradans.  Capping more than 30 years of work on behalf of low-income Coloradans, Ms. Robert brings expertise in research and analysis of policy options and promising practices advancing the economic security of low-income Colorado families.  Prior to joining CCLP, Ms. Robert served as the director of the Denver Women's Commission since 1985. In addition, she has held leadership roles for numerous community organizations. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Women's Lobby Issues Committee, an executive committee member of the All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition, and as Vice Chair of the Colorado Social Legislation Committee.

crobert@cclponline.org

303-573-5669 ext. 307

Kyle Brown, Senior Health Policy Analyst

Kyle Brown is a Senior Health Policy Analyst for CCLP where he focuses on health care affordability.  Previously, Kyle served as a health policy advisor to two senior U.S. Senators where he worked on a wide range of policy issues in health, education, nutrition, welfare, and women's issues.  Kyle received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University.

kbrown@cclponline.org

303-573-5669 ext. 304

Andrew J. Ball, Rice Fellow

Andy Ball joins the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute after graduating from Colorado College with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Policy. This interdisciplinary background provides him with a unique perspective on the issues that face the state of Colorado today. He is excited about contributing to the COFPI team and becoming a valuable advocate for social justice issues in Colorado and beyond.

aball@cclponline.org

303-573-5669 ext.316

Emily Wattman-Turner, Rice Fellow

Emily Wattman-Turner joined CCLP in July 2012 after graduating from the Colorado College where she majored in English and minored in Feminist and Gender studies, focusing on social change. Her interest in public policy developed through internships with NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado and Senator Michael Bennet’s Pikes Peak office, and was furthered by an Emerging Leaders on Black LGBT policy conference at the White House. She is excited to delve into the intersectional health issues facing Coloradans today and begin advocating for their well-being.

ewattman-turner@cclponline.org

303-573-5669 ext. 319