Most can’t wait for November 6 to arrive, so we can return to ‘Normalcy’ (where ever that is…).  Regardless, this week RCFC will do a political dive-deep, hearing analysis and prognostications from CSU Professor of Political Science, John Straayer, who has been considered by Colorado and national media the go-to source for commentary on Colorado politics.  Straayer will be introduced by our own Political Science heavyweight, Dr. Bob Lawrence.  
 
John Straayer, joined the CSU faculty in 1967, after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona; The end of this academic year will mark a half-century on the CSU faculty.   He chaired the Political Science department from 1972 to 1987, served two terms as faculty representative on the CSU Board of Governors and has directed an internship program with the Colorado General Assembly for nearly four decades, placing over 1,000 students.  

Straayer’s prime academic interests have been Colorado politics and his writings include a dozen books and a variety of articles and book chapters.  His study of the Colorado legislature, entitled The Colorado General Assembly (1990, 2000), has been described by the Colorado State Publication Library as the classic work on the general assembly.  
 
Straayer has received the CSU Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award, the John N. Stern Liberal Arts Distinguished Professor Award, awards for Distinction in Outreach and Advancement, and several commendations from the Colorado General Assembly.  He and his wife Judy established the John Straayer Citizenship and Public Service scholarships for Colorado State University student interns.


John and Kathy have three children; Kathy of South Lake, Texas, David of Parker, Colorado and Jeffrey of Denver, plus five grandchildren - Lena, Tim, Trinity, Sophia, Sloane.