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Howdy, Colorado Democrats!
[link removed] [[link removed]] Happy May! Spring is here and there is so much to look forward to this month! ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Happy Mother’s day to all the incredible Mothers out there! And May the Force be with you to all the Star Wars fans! We hope that as the weather warms up you are able to enjoy this beautiful Spring and maybe even get out to knock on a few doors to canvass for Dems in your neighborhood!
Party Updates
On Saturday, April 13th we had our virtual State Assembly & Convention that over 1,800 Democrats from across Colorado joined and made their voices heard electing candidates to the ballot and members to the National Convention.
The Democratic National Convention will be in Chicago from August 19 to the 22nd. We are proud to send all of our delegates for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to Chicago to kick off the general election. See the full list of State Convention results here. [[link removed]]
The Horizon Project Updates
Are you interested in helping re-elect Congresswoman Caraveo in the most competitive house district in the country? Do you want the chance to help make a difference?
Good news– the Horizon Project is hosting canvass launches in May. You can sign up here [[link removed]] for both training and canvasses.
Join us in learning about ways to effectively connect with members of CD-8, how to discuss the issues that matter, and fighting to help save democracy.
If you or any students you know are interested in learning how to become trained in Deep Canvassing, they can apply for the Summer 2024 Deep Canvassing training program. Learn how to canvass and be an effective student leader under both the CDP and Attorney General Phil Weise r! Apply here [[link removed]] to get engaged this summer.
Want to learn more about Deep Canvassing? Check out this incredible TedTalk [[link removed]] with David Fleischer.
Volunteer of the Month
I am thrilled to introduce you to Pat, our amazing front desk volunteer who helps keep CDP running smoothly. Pat is dedicated, reliable, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Whether she is answering phones, responding to emails, or assisting with administrative tasks, Pat does it all with a smile on her face. But don't let her friendly demeanor fool you, Pat also knows how to stand her ground when necessary. Her assertiveness and strong communication skills make her an invaluable member of our team. We are grateful for Pat's hard work and commitment to making a difference in our democracy and the lives of others. Thank you, Pat, for all that you do! Volunteer Ask of the Month
Thank you to all of our volunteers, we appreciate every one of you! If you would like to nominate a volunteer to be Volunteer of the Month please fill out the nomination form here [[link removed]] . We would love to challenge our volunteers to reach out to 5-10 friends and family in the month of May to check if they are registered to vote. Please ask them if they know about the upcoming Primary on June 25th and do they have a plan to vote.
We have a number of important races happening including the CD 4 Special Election! We need everyone's help in turning out the vote for Democrats up and down the ballot this year.
U.S. Senate Updates
Bennet, Hickenlooper, DeGette, Crow, and Pettersen Welcome Nearly $39 Million for Colorado Flood Control Projects Bennet, Hickenlooper Urge Senate Appropriations Committee to Continue Funding Arkansas Valley Conduit
April 11, 2024 — Funding for Projects in Golden, Aurora, and Denver Comes from the Department of Transportation Grant Program Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law April 16, 2024 — Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 spending bill.
Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, alongside U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen welcomed $38.6 million for three Colorado projects from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT)
U.S. House Updates
Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, U.S. Dept of Energy Undersecretary David Crane Announce $22.3 Million Federal Investment in Golden Aluminum of Fort Lupton Chairman Aguilar: House Democrats will never stop fighting to restore reproductive freedom
FORT LUPTON, Colorado —Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, MD (CO-08) and U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane today announced a $22.3 million investment in Fort Lupton-based aluminum supplier Golden Aluminum. April 10,2024 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu held a press conference alongside DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene and Rep. Greg Stanton on the extreme budget released by the House Republican Study Committee and GOP efforts to ban abortion nationwide.
Read more here [[link removed]] .
Colorado Senate Updates
PAIR OF BILLS TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY CLEAR COMMITTEE BILL TO IMPROVE COLORADO PRIVACY ACT, PROTECT COLORADO CONSUMERS CLEARS COMMITTEE
April 11, 2024 – DENVER, CO – Today the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted to advance two bills to reduce gun thefts from vehicles and strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits. April 16, 2024 – DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to advance Senator Chris Hansen’s, D-Denver, bipartisan bill to amend the Colorado Privacy Act to include protections for biometric data.
HB24-1348 [[link removed]] , sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, would require firearms in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked containers to reduce firearm thefts. The bill would also require vehicle safe storage information to be published on the Office of Suicide Prevention’s website and displayed at gun stores. Biometric data is highly unique to an individual and includes fingerprints, facial recognition used to unlock smartphones, and iris scanning. Cosponsored by Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, HB24-1130 [[link removed]] would require biometric data to be destroyed within two years of collection or when the data is no longer needed, whichever is earliest, and to be stored at a higher level of security.
“Safe storage of firearms in vehicles or at home is an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people and create safer communities,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Last year, there were 1,221 guns reported stolen in Denver. This bill represents one of this year’s many efforts to reduce gun violence in Colorado and I’m proud to see it move forward today.” “Coloradans have the right to know which companies have their biometric data and what specific data they have,” said Hansen. “Biometric data is increasingly being used for security purposes, like using a fingerprint or faceprint as a password, which means companies are in possession of highly sensitive data. This important policy will improve transparency, reduce the risk of exploitation, and bolster consumer protections.”
“We have seen alarming rates of firearms being stolen from vehicles in Colorado, including one instance here at the Capitol,” said Fields. “It’s on gun owners to responsibly and safely store their firearms – whether that’s in their home or their vehicle. This important bill promotes a commonsense gun safety practice that will help reduce theft and make our communities safer.” In 2021, legislators passed SB21-190 [[link removed]] to enact the Colorado Privacy Act and make it a deceptive trade practice for entities who control the personal data of at least 25,000 people to process sensitive data without consent.
The bill requires handguns to be stored in a hard-sided container and other firearms to be stored in a hard or soft-sided container. A person who violates this civil infraction can receive up to a $500 fine. The bill includes exemptions for antique firearms, non-handgun storage on a farm or ranch vehicle on private property, peace officers, military service members, and certain individuals engaged in hunting. Read more here [[link removed]] .
The committee also advanced HB24-1174 [[link removed]] , sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, to require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on:
- Safe handling of firearms and ammunition;
- Safe storage of firearms and child safety;
- Safe firearm shooting fundamentals;
- Federal and state firearm laws;
- State laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense;
- Interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies; and
- Techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force.
Read more here [[link removed]] .
Colorado House Updates
Bill to Protect Coloradans, Prohibit Firearms in Sensitive Spaces Passes Committee Committee Passes New School Finance Formula to Boost Student Success, Increase Equity in School Funding and Support Rural Schools
April 17, 2024 - Legislation would apply to key locations consistent with SCOTUS rulings April 18, 2024 - Bipartisan school funding updates drive more resources to support at-risk students, English Language Learners, special education students, and rural districts
DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Representatives Kyle Brown and Mandy Lindsay that would protect communities from gun violence and create safer public spaces by prohibiting the carrying of firearms in certain locations. SB24-131 passed by a vote of 8-3. Committee also passes bipartisan bill to improve transparency into higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degree or certificate programs
“Too many Coloradans have been impacted by gun violence, and this bill would keep these dangerous weapons out of certain sensitive spaces,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “From preschools to polling places to the Colorado Capitol, there are places where guns pose a serious threat to Coloradans’ safety and can be used to intimidate people from their constitutional rights to free speech and to vote. Coloradans deserve to feel safe, and I am proud to sponsor this commonsense gun violence prevention bill.” DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee today passed two bipartisan bills aimed at supporting Colorado students. Read more here [[link removed]] .
April 17, 2024 McCluskie, McCormick Legislation to Protect Streams, Rivers and Wetlands Passes Committee
DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Iman Jodeh to improve maternal health care in Colorado. HB24-1262 includes modifying the midwife licensure process and creating a new professional title, collecting more data on mistreatment during the perinatal period, and requiring advance notice to a patient when a facility reduces or ends maternal health care services. HB24-1262 passed the House by a vote of 48 to 12. April 8, 2024
“Coloradans increasingly want expanded birth options, especially in Black and Latino communities, but existing barriers prevent community birth facilities from providing these services,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Increasing access to maternal care, including midwives, will allow Colorado parents to choose a birth plan that fits their needs. By giving Coloradans more options for maternal health care, we can reduce the impacts of the maternal mortality crisis and save lives.” DENVER, CO – The House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed legislation to restore critical protections for Colorado’s streams, rivers and wetlands.
“The worsening maternal mortality crisis is a growing issue, especially for Black, Indigenous, and rural parents, and our bill seeks to address these preventable deaths,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Maternal health deserts and other barriers to maternal health care access prevent parents from receiving necessary, and sometimes life-saving care. By boosting health care provider options and perinatal resources, we can create a health care system that keeps our parents and newborns safe and healthy.” “This bill outlines a Colorado-specific approach to protecting our streams, rivers and wetlands so we can sustain our water quality and ensure future generations enjoy all the activities that make Colorado unique,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “ After the Supreme Court removed important protections and left our waterways in jeopardy, we’re taking steps now to secure our state’s water future. We know fresh, clean water is necessary for everything from brewing beer and maintaining our world class ski resorts to keeping up with increased household demands and sustaining our agriculture industry. This bill protects our water now and into the future.”
Starting September 1, 2024, HB24-1262 [[link removed]] would require any individual who practices certified professional midwifery to have a valid license. The bill would update the title of “direct-entry midwives” to “certified professional midwives” (CPMs) and change the regulation from registration to licensure. The licensure process includes passing an exam, graduating from an accredited midwifery education program, holding a CPM credential from the North American Registry of Midwives, being certified by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross to perform adult and infant CPR, or having an equivalent education that is approved by the director of the Division of Professions and Occupations. “We’re stepping up to protect our vital freshwater resources to ensure that for future generations, Coloradans will have clean and accessible water,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Our important legislation creates regulatory certainty for our businesses and landowners when it comes to Colorado’s water – this means we can effectively manage and protect our wetlands, rivers and streams. From agriculture and tourism to everyday families living in the four corners of our state, Colorado’s water is a steady and essential resource that must be conserved and protected for generations to come.”
The bill would also: The Clean Water Act [[link removed]] authorizes the EPA to define “Waters of the United States” and the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate discharges from dredge and fill activities into waters that meet that definition. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA [[link removed]] in 2023 redefined what constitutes waters subject to federal regulation and placed an estimated 60 percent of Colorado wetlands at risk of losing protections. The impacted wetlands and seasonal streams in need of protection work to ensure adequate water supply, aid groundwater recharge, and provide for wildlife habitat in Colorado.
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Upcoming Events
(if you have events you want featured in future Dem Dispatch newsletters, please send to [email protected]!)
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Cinco de Mayo - Civic Park May 4 & 5 from 10:00am-8:00pm [link removed] [[link removed]]
If you are interested in volunteering for this event please fill out this form [[link removed]] and we will be in touch.
May 12, 2024 - Larimer Dems Spring Fundraiser - Empowering Women
May 19, 2024 - 3rd Annual Spring Into Action Fundraiser @ Homestead Bar and Grill, 303 River Valley Ranch Rd, Carbondale, CO 81623 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM
May 27, 2024 - Commerce City Memorial Day Parade starts at 9:00 AM
July 22nd, 2024 - Register here for the 5k 10k fundraiser! [[link removed]]
Featured Merch
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That is it for now, thank you for reading.
Go, fight, win!
Colorado Dems
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[link removed] [[link removed]] The Colorado Democratic Party works to elect and protect Democrats who are committed to fighting for good jobs, access to healthcare, affordable housing, and a good education for our children.
Our party has some big goals, including ousting Lauren Boebert from Congress, breaking up Republican majorities in local offices, and protecting our legislative majorities and frontline Democrats.
If you want to support our efforts, consider chipping into our 2024 Democratic Action Fund today >> [[link removed]]
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