Consider the fall term offerings of the Academy for Lifelong Learning, which include an in-depth, seven-session analysis of Colorado's statewide ballot questions as well as an eight-session look at critical economic issues facing the nation.

The Academy's schedule of more than 30 daytime courses for adults also features a one-time lunch-hour lecture Oct. 15 on the "sleaze and slander" of presidential elections in the 19th century, plus a special election postmortem on Nov. 5, to be led by State Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora.

In addition, the Academy is promoting a forum on the various statewide referenda and initiatives, to be presented by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Montview Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St.

All the Academy's classes meet in Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Registration fees are minimal, and scholarships are available. The Academy is hosting a free Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 to introduce new and previous participants to the fall facilitators. For information, go online to AcademyLL.org or call 303-770-0786.

The course on "Colorado Ballot Issues: Your Vote Counts" will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Sept. 16 to Nov. 11, with no class September 30 and November 4, election day. It will be team-taught by Toni Larson, executive director of Independent Higher Education of Colorado, the nonprofit lobbying arm of Regis University, the University of Denver and Colorado College, and by Jim Kneser, a former financial management professional who now devotes his time to educating adults about real-world economics.

"We'll scour the proposed amendments to ferret out all their intended and unintended consequences before we decide how to vote," says Larson. "Look forward to lively discussions as we separate fact from fiction on these important state issues."

Kneser also will facilitate a course called "It's the Economy, Stupid: Critical Election Year Economic Issues." It will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Sept. 17 to Nov. 5. Kneser says it will "get past the smoke and mirrors" surrounding such topics as health care, tax policy and the federal deficit.

There is a burden on all of us, as taxpayers and voters, to make informed decisions at the polls. The Academy classes can turn the arduous task of becoming knowledgeable into an exciting adventure in learning.