OpenRep is a nonprofit organization registered in Colorado and is currently pursuing 1023-EZ tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. The platform helps individuals find, understand, and track public legislation across all 50 states without the burden of navigating thousands of pages of legal text.
Why
A strong democracy depends on an informed public. Civic participation is strongest when people can clearly see how laws are created, understand their impact, and engage with confidence.
OpenRep exists to support that foundation. By turning complex legislative language into clear, structured insights, the platform gives people the information they need to participate meaningfully in public life.
Mission
To make legislative information accessible, understandable, and actionable for all.
Vision
A future where civic engagement is strengthened by clear, reliable, and timely access to policy information.
Values
Accessibility
Public policy should be understandable to everyone, regardless of background or expertise.
Clarity
Complex legislative language is translated into precise, easy-to-understand insights.
Accuracy
All summaries and supporting data are grounded in primary sources and verifiable information.
Civic Impact
The thoughtful use of technology can strengthen participation and public accountability.
Empowerment
People should have the tools and knowledge to act on issues that affect their communities.
Data and Sources
OpenRep uses legislative data provided by APIs from OpenStates, LegiScan, and Data.gov. News sources are provided by News API. We are grateful for their continued commitment to transparency and public access.
About the Project
OpenRep is the first project developed by Christopher Lee.
Christopher Lee is the founder and lead engineer behind OpenRep. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Denver, with minors in Economics and Philosophy. During his time there, he served as President of Delta Chi, and was awarded Fraternity Member of the Year by the University of Denver in 2024. He also competed as an NCAA Division I swimmer at Indiana University and qualified for the 2021 U.S. Open.
He previously worked with the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, supporting bill drafting and policy analysis. In the City Manager's Office for the City of Englewood, Colorado, he led operational and emergency management initiatives, including restructuring the city's Emergency Operations Commission into a FEMA-aligned Incident Command System, developing training programs for staff, and improving internal systems for coordination and response. His work also included budget development for boards and commissions and cost analysis to support more efficient and sustainable city operations.
Feedback and Support
If you encounter issues, notice something not working as expected, or have suggestions for new features, please share your feedback:
Thank you for visiting OpenRep. Your engagement and feedback helps improve and grow the platform.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Sergio Rodriguez and Michael Lee for their technical guidance, and to Rachel Kittelberger for user acceptance testing.