State Rep. Polly Lawrence, a Republican from Roxborough Park, will lead the way on public policy for state and provincial governments of the West as the newly elected chair of the  Westrends Board of the Council of State Governments West.

The board is a forum for evaluating how emerging trends affect the Western quality of life. The board is made up of one legislator from each of 13 states and Alberta and British Columbia provinces. Both Republicans and Democrats participate the the Council of State Governments’ programs.

“I am honored to serve as chairwoman for such a prestigious and impactful organization,” Lawrence said in a statement. “With the new administration seeking to lower the cost of Medicaid and expand infrastructure construction, this board can be a valuable resource to help Western state governments incorporate new policy changes.”

Lawrence succeeds Kevin Grantham of Canon City, the state Senate president-elect, as Colorado’s representative on the board.