Lakewood High School students who traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the Close Up  program gave the experience high marks.

The students had appointments to see U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner, a Republican, and Michael Bennet, a Democrat, along with their congressman,  U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Jefferson County. They weren’t planning on meeting Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams but a long security line gave them the chance.

“Meeting with the people who run our government was truly humbling, and our serendipitous meeting with our secretary of state right behind us in line was a great added bonus,” said Kieran Lewis, 15.

“It was a fantastic experience getting to meet our nation’s leaders and I enjoyed the opportunity to see our government in action,” said Will Gifford, 16.”

Close Up says on its website that it’s mission is to “inform, inspire and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.”

Williams, who was in town for the National Association of Secretaries of State winter conference, began talking with the students in the security line outside the Russell Building and realized they were from Colorado. He sat in on their visit with Bennet, a former Denver Public Schools superintendent, who asked questions about education and other issues.

Williams chatted with Gardner before the senator headed to the floor for action on his North Korean Sanctions Policy and Enhancement Act, which passed unanimously. Gardner worked late at his office the night before getting ready for the vote.

(Because of technical issues, the blog featuring pictures of the students with Sen. Gardner and Rep. Perlmutter was delayed until this week. A blog last week included pictures of the students with Secretary Williams and Sen. Bennet.)

To see more posts from Lynn Bartels, visit her official blog at the Colorado Secretary of State website.