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Protecting the State Senate in 2020! |
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In 2018, one of the most important victories we had was flipping the majority in our state senate from Republican to Democratic. From 2015 to 2018, Republicans had control of the Colorado Senate, and as a result, they were able to block nearly everything.
Even though we had the Governor's office and a majority in the Colorado House, Republicans were able block legislation on the following topics:
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the Colorado Senate has the ability to confirm appointments like commissioners and executive directors made by the Governor, which is crucial to Colorado having a responsive and effective government. Remember how Mitch McConnell blocked President Obama's appointments? It's not hyperbole to say a Republican-controlled Colorado Senate would have done the same thing to Governor Polis.
All of the amazing progress that we as a state have made over the past two years under Democratic leadership would not have been possible without a Democratic Majority in the Senate, and in 2020, we have an opportunity to protect and expand that majority!
Meet the candidates below, and visit https://codemsenate.com if you want to see how you can get involved in making sure we hold the Colorado Senate! |
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This Week In Making a Difference |
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Join Our Talent Bank! |
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Colorado Democrats are run by PEOPLE POWER, and the only way we're going to defeat Cory Gardner and Donald Trump is by working together! EVERYONE has a talent -- whether it's writing, programming, designing, speaking 2nd or 3rd language, or managing data, we need all Coloradans of all talents who want to elect Democrats to get in the game!
So, what are you waiting for? Click here or the button below to sign up for our Talent Bank, and let us know how you can contribute to a blue wave in 2020! |
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2020 Win Stops -- Virtual Edition! |
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Even President Obama and Vice President Biden are doing online events! Join us for ours! |
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Even in the era of COVID-19 and social distancing, Team CDP is connecting with Democrats all across the state to ensure that we launch a blue tsunami in 2020!
So far, the Colorado Democratic Party has held the following Virtual Win Stops: Flipping Red Seats in Red Districts (June 2, 2020) Turning out Voters in Rural Blue Counties (June 4, 2020) Keeping Blue Counties Blue -- VERY Blue! (June 7, 2020) Flipping Red Seats in Rural Red Counties (June 27, 2020) Winning in Swing Districts! (July 7, 2020) Winning in Medium Swing Districts (July 11, 2020)
Join us for the next in our series of virtual win stops to learn how you can be a part of electing Democrats in your county this November! |
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Saturday, August 1 at 11:00AM Winning in Small Red Districts (Logan, Montezuma, Morgan, Park, and Teller)!
Saturday, August 8 at 11:00AM Winning in Small Blue Districts (Costilla, Lake, Saguache, San Miguel)! |
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Work for the 2020 Wave Webinars |
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SAVE THE DATE for our upcoming "Work for the Wave" webinars! |
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Monday, July 20, 2020 @ 6:00PM MST E-Canvassing 101 (Hosted by Karin Asensio and Tyler McDermott) In this era of social distancing, campaigning looks a lot different than it typically does. Have no fear though -- there are still effective techniques to reaching voters! Learn how with our volunteer coordinator and our statewide field director! Click here to sign up! |
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Monday, August 3, 2020 @ 6:00PM MST The Art and Science of Persuasion (Hosted by Morgan Carroll) How do we cut through the noise and convince voters to vote Democratic not just in 2020, but beyond? In this webinar, we'll review a body of data on what actually works and what doesn't work to change people's minds. Click here to register! |
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Monday, August 10, 2020 @ 6:00PM MST Conflict Prevention and Resolution (Hosted by Linda Newell and Mary Zinn) What will it take to win in November? What’s in our way? Miscommunications, infighting, and misunderstandings can be exhausting, sucking up our time and energy. Yet, there is a great deal we can do to lighten our load TODAY!
Former Senator Linda Newell and Mary Zinn will offer practical communication and conflict tools from their first-hand political organizing experience and professional practices. Learn how to improve communications with fellow Dem peers and volunteers to maximize each person’s time and talent. Like it or not, we need people to win elections. We can’t do this without each other. Create the biggest possible advantage to cross the finish line together with the Blue results we want!
Long-time partners in conflict resolution, Mary and Linda’s practical programs have received enthusiastic endorsements from diverse audiences. Click here to sign up! |
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Former state Senator Linda Newell and Mary Zinn. |
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Monday, September 14, 2020 @ 6:00PM MST VAN 101 (Hosted by Bruce Norikane) The Voter Activation Network (VAN) is one of the Democratic Party's most critical tools to victory and success at every level of campaigning! Whether you're new to VAN, or if you could use a refresher on the basics, check out this training by technology director Bruce Norikane! Click here to sign up! |
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Progressive Dems Initiative Meeting! Thursday, July 16, 2020 @ 7:00PM |
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We are very excited to welcome all members to our first Zoom call to kick off the 2020 general election campaign.
Join us Thursday, July 16th, at 7 pm, and we will briefly introduce you to our new executive board and discuss our plans for 2020.
Look forward to seeing you all then!
Rob Eadie Outreach Director Progressive Democrats of Colorado |
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SAVE THE DATE! Colorado Democratic Education Initiative Summit on August 8 |
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COV-ED: Responding to Education in the age of COVID-19 Sponsored by the Colorado Democratic Education Initiative Check Back for Time and More Details! |
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HELP WANTED: New Positions to Apply For! |
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We're staffing up in preparation for the 2020 General Election! Colorado is a battleground state, and we're looking for scrappy, driven, politically savvy organizers to join our team!
Job Descriptions: |
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Local Candidates of the Week |
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Candidate: Diane Mitsch Bush
Office Running for: Congressional District 3
Why this matters: 5-term Congressman Scott Tipton lost his primary to a first-time candidate named Lauren Boebert, a QAnon enthusiast with a tendency to serve food that make her customers ill (but seriously, don't eat the sliders). Meanwhile, CD3 voters have an opportunity elect a former state representative and county commissioner who is well-versed in issues like water rights, public lands, and healthcare. We have a chance to flip CD3 AND keep a QAnon fan out of Congress!
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Candidate: Jillian Freeland
Office Running for: Congressional District 5
Why this matters: By many in CD5 and across the state, Doug Lamborn has been consider pretty "useless" when it comes to being a Congressman. He hasn't exactly been very active when it comes to legislation, and he hasn't held a town hall to meet with constituents in nearly *three years*. CD5 can instead elect Jillian Freeland, a healthcare professional who has sworn to hold ten in-person town halls a year if elected! CD5 -- you know what to do if you want actual representation!
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Dems Leading the Way |
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"When Donald Trump thinks about climate change, the only word he can muster is ‘hoax. When I think about climate change, the word I think of is ‘jobs.’” |
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Biden Announces $2 Trillion Climate Plan From the New York Times
Joseph R. Biden Jr. announced on Tuesday a new plan to spend $2 trillion over four years to significantly escalate the use of clean energy in the transportation, electricity and building sectors, part of a suite of sweeping proposals designed to create economic opportunities and strengthen infrastructure while also tackling climate change.
In a speech in Wilmington, Del., Mr. Biden built on his plans, released last week, for reviving the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, with a new focus on enhancing the nation’s infrastructure and emphasizing the importance of significantly cutting fossil fuel emissions. As he denounced President Trump’s stewardship of the virus and climate change, he drew criticism from Republicans — but he also faced a key test from progressives who have long been skeptical of the scope of his climate ambitions.
“These are the most critical investments we can make for the long-term health and vitality of both the American economy and the physical health and safety of the American people,” he said. “When Donald Trump thinks about climate change, the only word he can muster is ‘hoax.’ When I think about climate change, the word I think of is ‘jobs.’”
The proposal is the second plank in Mr. Biden’s economic recovery plan. His team sees an opportunity to take direct aim at Mr. Trump, who has struggled to deliver on his pledges to pay for major improvements to American infrastructure.
“Seems like every few weeks when he needs a distraction from the latest charges of corruption in his staff, or the conviction of high-ranking members of administration and political apparatus, the White House announces, quote, ‘It’s Infrastructure Week,’” Mr. Biden said, referring to a long-running Washington joke. “He’s never delivered. Never really even tried. Well, I know how to get it done.”
Throughout his remarks, Mr. Biden sought to signal that he grasps the urgency of global climate challenges while also casting the issue as the next great test of American ingenuity.
“I know meeting the challenge would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to jolt new life into our economy, strengthen our global leadership, protect our planet for future generations,” Mr. Biden said. “If I have the honor of being elected president, we’re not just going to tinker around the edges. We’re going to make historic investments that will seize the opportunity, meet this moment in history.”
Even before Mr. Biden spoke, Mr. Trump’s allies painted the plan as a costly threat to jobs in the energy sector, and his campaign sought to link the proposal to the Green New Deal, the far-reaching climate plan.
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Neguse Steps Up for RMNP! |
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Colorado Congressman Proposes Bill To Expand Rocky Mountain National Park From CBS Denver
The Rocky Mountain National Park might be expanded under two bills proposed by a Colorado Congressman. Rep. Joe Neguse’s bills were heard on Monday in the Natural Resources Committee.
Former NASA astronaut Vance D. Brand would be able to donate 40 acres to Rocky Mountain National Park under the Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Modification Act.
“The Rocky Mountain Ownership Correction Act would resolve a longstanding issue regarding a local family’s cabin that was erroneously transferred to the park,” Neguse’s office stated in a news release.
“The National Park Service is working with the Forsyth family to resolve a 1972-73 issue where a 0.18-acre plot containing their family cabin was erroneously transferred to the Rocky Mountain National Park when the NPS purchased a larger surrounding parcel. An error in the bank documents’ legal description of the parcel mislocated the family’s holding as a 0.18-acre plot of vacant land inside the parcel, not the original cabin site. The Forsyth family, seeking to regain legal ownership of its cabin and the 0.18-acre plot on which it sits, proposed an exchange of properties.”
The donated land is located near the eastern edge of the park. Neguse’s office says the land would provide a natural buffer between private lands and the Estes Cone, Storm Pass, and Eugenia Mine Trails.
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CROW: “The most solemn responsibility of Congress is the decision to send our men and women into harm's way." |
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Crow cosponsors bill to put check on future uses of military force From Colorado Politics
U.S. Rep. Jason Crow is among the bipartisan group of lawmakers that has introduced new legislation to curtail the use of a military force authorization passed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks for expanding future warfighting operations overseas.
“The most solemn responsibility of Congress is the decision to send our men and women into harm's way,” said Crow. "My military career started as an enlisted soldier and I will never forget being Private Crow as I make decisions in Washington. For too long, we’ve heard the same political argument that the time is not right to have the hard discussions about our foreign military involvements.”
The legislation would not repeal the 2001 authorization for use of military force, known as AUMF, or prohibit the use of force against other entities altogether.
“In the event that the president must act to defend the United States in a country where we are not operating today, he could do so under the terms laid out in the War Powers Resolution of 1973,” wrote four of the other bill sponsors in The Hill. “The president would be required to notify Congress regarding the introduction of forces, giving Congress 60 days to debate and determine if an authorization for use of military force is appropriate.”
The 2001 authorization deemed the president able to use “all necessary and appropriate force” against people and organizations that were responsible for the attacks on U.S. soil, “in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.”
An op-ed for Just Security points out that subsequent presidential administrations have interpreted the order to apply to entities that did not even exist in 2001 or have a connection to the perpetrators. Crow’s office noted that the AUMF enabled U.S. military operations in 19 countries, and the new bill would require presidential administrations to seek Congress’ approval for future, unrelated endeavors.
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Trump, Gardner, & GOP Watch |
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Gardner Sidesteps Question on Trump's Visa Ban |
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From landscaping to skiing, Trump’s ban on temporary work visas stings Colorado industries From the Denver Post
The H-2B temporary worker visa program roller coaster is nothing new in Colorado.
For many in seasonal industries like construction, landscaping and tourism it is an annual ritual. Employers request visas for workers from other countries they need to meet the demand for their services. There are too few visas available for every company to bring in temporary workers. Political pressure is applied. Often, more visas will be approved on an emergency supplemental basis.
“Honestly, it’s just horrendous,” Brian Carlson, the CEO of Lafayette-based Green Landscape Solutions, said. “What I tell people is at this point my business plan comes down to a lottery or luck.”
But 2020 is not just any year — the visa roller coaster has come off the tracks. The H-2B and other programs have been frozen by presidential decree. Whether or not that will mean the hundreds of thousands of Colorado workers who are unemployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic will seek out the jobs normally filled by foreign laborers remains to be seen.
On June 22, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation amending an existing ban on new green cards for foreign nationals outside the U.S. and added a number of temporary worker visas to it. Most H-2B visas for seasonal nonagricultural workers, H-1B visas used in tech, education and other high-skill sectors and even J-1 visas for cultural exchange programs were on the list. The prohibition runs through the end of the year.
The president’s bans are not only impacting landscaping businesses like Carlson’s that are in peak season but stand to reverberate through some of Colorado’s key industries, including winter tourism. ... U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who has been criticized by Democrats for being in lockstep with Trump on many issues, last week expressed a commitment to fixing problems with visa programs in a statement provided to The Denver Post. The Republican, who is up for reelection this year, did not directly address the president’s 2020 ban.
“Colorado is one of the heaviest users of the H-2B program. Our economy depends on predictable seasonal jobs, and I’ve worked alongside my colleagues in Congress to provide H-2B cap relief to help local businesses struggling to fill these seasonal, temporary job openings,” Gardner said. “I’ve also been fighting for the high-tech H-1B and J-1 cultural exchange programs and will continue to advocate for ensuring our local businesses have access to all of these visas.”
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Boebert Makes Customers Sick at Rodeo |
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QAnon-Curious House Candidate Gave Her Customers Diarrhea From the Daily Beast
In 2017, a Colorado restaurant’s tainted pork sliders poisoned dozens of attendees at a local rodeo, who came down with symptoms ranging from nausea to bloody diarrhea. Now the restaurant’s proprietor is running for Congress on her small-business-owner credentials.
Lauren Boebert, who bested a five-term Republican incumbent in an upset primary win last week, has drawn national attention for her support for the outlandish, entirely contrived “QAnon” conspiracy theory. But her pitch to voters has focused more on her business experience in Rifle, Colorado.
“She is the founder, owner, and operator of Shooters Grill, a restaurant that earned national notoriety for staff that proudly open carry as they serve their customers,” Boebert’s campaign website proudly states. Shooters has earned attention over the years due to its wait staff, who carry holstered sidearms as they serve customers.
Boebert’s restaurant recently earned even more notoriety—and support from critics of state efforts to control the novel coronavirus outbreak. Shooters Grill lost its food service license in May after it defied a state-mandated closure of indoor restaurant services.
“They are open again after being shut down by the ‘hoax’ Covid pandemic,” a recent Yelp reviewer reported. “I am from Texas but donated money to the owner's political campaign. Wish I could vote for her.”
Boebert’s defiance of the state order wasn’t the first time her restaurants, Shooters Grill and the now-shuttered Smokehouse 1776, wound up in the crosshairs of local health authorities. Records from the Garfield County department of public health show that they faulted Boebert’s establishments for literally—though not deliberately—poisoning dozens of customers.
The mass food poisoning incident was traced to the Rifle Rodeo, which took place on June 5, 2017, in an indoor arena at the Garfield County fairgrounds. At about 10 a.m. the morning after the event, the county’s public health office started getting calls from people who had attended and had come down with some serious symptoms.
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Volunteers of the Week |
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The Volunteer of the Week is Dane from Pueblo County! If you’ve ever checked out the Pueblo County Democrats’ webpage, you’ve noticed how informative, clear, and easy to use it is. That’s the work of Dane, their volunteer IT guy who is also on the Communications Committee. Pueblo Dems are honoring Dane’s work by voting him Democrat of the Year, an award he’ll receive at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. He greatly appreciates the team of volunteers he works with, and they think he’s invaluable!
Dane is a very committed Democrat, having started volunteering for the Democrats in 2008 by doing data entry. He has since expanded to the phone banks and registering voters along Pueblo’s charming Riverwalk. As a volunteer, he found it important to register voters no matter what their party affiliation, because he believes that the vote should be available to all citizens. He finds it very satisfying to solve tricky computer problems and learn new skills as he brainstorms with Communications Director Breta Ross on how to make the website the best possible introduction to the Pueblo Democrats. In the process, he’s explored more advanced coding and even graphics, to make the page eye-catching for its visitors. And he’s grateful to his fellow volunteers for giving him the opportunity to help, then pushing him a bit to expand his repertoire!
Dane’s advice to other Colorado volunteers is this: do what you’re interested in and good at, and just walk into a campaign office and ask! There will always be something for you to do. You need not limit yourself to one thing, either: he himself thought he only wanted to do data entry, but he surprised himself with his ability to meet other voters and even make phone calls. After years of volunteering, he really enjoys his range of activities with several committees in the Pueblo County Democrats, and he’s made himself indispensable to all of them. |
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Do you want to intern or volunteer with the Colorado Dems? Reach out to our volunteer coordinator Karin Asensio at [email protected], and see how YOU CAN GET INVOLVED! |
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Join the Elbow Bumpers Club! |
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What's the Elbow Bumpers Club (formerly known as the High Fivers Club), you ask? It started with a simple idea: There are nearly 1.2 million registered Democrats in Colorado -- what if every single one of them gave just $5 a month to the Colorado Democratic Party (CDP)?
Answer: The CDP would be the best-funded state party in the country -- with zero dollars from corporate PACs and plenty for flipping red seats to blue!
Here's the reality -- the Colorado Dems are working in overdrive to keep the wheels of democracy moving forward, and now is a time when we could really use your help! If you haven't joined the High Fivers Club (temporarily known as the Elbow Bumpers Club now) -- please consider a few reasons to give!
Click the gif below to join the Elbow Bumpers Club! |
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The Funnies! |
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Share the Dispatch |
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Contributions or gifts to the Democratic Party of Colorado are not tax deductible |
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