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GET VACCINATED, COLORADO! |
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Photo Credit: Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post |
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Colorado, if you haven't heard the news, all Coloradans 16 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine!
If you haven't been vaccinated yet, you can click here to find an appointment. All COVID-19 vaccines are free, and you do not need insurance. All you need to do is show up!
Click Here for Colorado’s Official COVID-19 Vaccination Help Site
COVID-19 Vaccine Search Tools Mass Vaccination Sign-Ups |
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The 2021 Obama Gala Saturday, April 24, 2021 @ 5:00PM MT |
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With less than three weeks to go until the 2021 Obama Gala, we are so excited to welcome DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren as the newest exciting additions to our star-studded speaker line-up for the fourth annual Obama Gala!
Have you secured your spot for the 2021 virtual Obama Gala on Saturday, April 24, 2021? Click the button below to buy your ticket today! |
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Meet Kiya Cockrell, a national award-winning poet who will perform an original poem she wrote for the 2021 Obama Gala on April 24 for our annual fundraiser!
We're less than 2 weeks away -- click here or click the button below to get your tickets today! |
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The American Rescue Plan How is it helping folks? |
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Here's how much money Pueblo schools will receive from the American Rescue Plan Pueblo Chieftain
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law on March 11, providing $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus to help boost the economy during the pandemic.
The package will provide about $122 billion for schools to help them in reopening and having the ability to get the technology students need in order to meet the COVID-19 guidelines.
The state of Colorado will receive about $1.2 billion from the package to disperse to its 181 school districts.
Of that funding, Pueblo School District 60 will receive nearly $43 million, while Pueblo County District 70 will get $7.7 million.
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Remember -- Colorado Republicans like Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn all voted 'No' to helping struggling Colorado families.
Meanwhile, all of Colorado's Democratic members of the Congressional delegation voted 'Yes'!
But how does the American Rescue Plan specifically help Coloradans, you ask? Click the link to find out! |
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DECLINE TO SIGN: INITIATIVE 16 By the Rural Initiative of the Colorado Dems |
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WHY INITIATIVE 16 IS A BAD IDEA FOR COLORADO
Initiative 16 expands the scope of what constitutes cruelty to animals in Colorado, criminalizing actions that are now widely accepted animal husbandry and veterinary practice. The wording in the proposed law is both overly broad and extremely vague. This will lead to consequences that are not obvious from the proposal’s misleading title or wording, including increased suffering for animals, loss of Colorado businesses and jobs, and elimination of locally-produced, organically-raised meat for Colorado consumers.
It might be illegal to spay your cat
By replacing the phrase “in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices” in the current law with “in the interest of improving that animal’s health” (emphasis added), this proposed law would expose a veterinarian who neuters or spays an animal, including a cat or dog, to accusations of animal cruelty. Spaying and neutering pets is more about population control than it is about a specific animal’s health. Licensed veterinary professionals receive no special exemptions in this proposed law. Veterinarians and caregivers who assist animals in giving birth may also be accused of animal cruelty. Veterinarians and any animal care provider, including shelters, would be open to accusations of animal cruelty under this proposed law if someone felt the handling of the animal was not in the interest of improving that specific animal’s health.
Planned breeding will be much more difficult
The proposed law makes it an illegal “sex act” to use artificial insemination (AI) in breeding any animal, from a dog or a horse to a bison. Breeders commonly use AI to expand the genetic diversity of their animals and prevent injury during breeding because fertilization can be accomplished without having to actually bring the male animal to the females. Zoos use AI to increase the populations and genetic health of endangered species. The dairy industry uses AI to produce 85-90% female offspring. Under the proposed law, more male dairy animals would be sent to slaughter.
Animals could not be slaughtered until they were too old for the meat to be palatable The proposed law establishes minimum ages at which an animal can be slaughtered for food, based on erroneous estimates of the natural life span of farm animals, according to livestock experts. These minimum ages are also older than what consumers expect. For example, a steer could not be slaughtered before the age of 60 months or 5 years. Today, the average age of a market steer is 12-20 months. Not only would the advanced age make the meat unpalatable and unmarketable, but slaughter of livestock at older ages is a health and safety issue which increases the chance of mad-cow type diseases.
Producers who specialize in providing healthy, organic, naturally fed animals for local meat markets, bypassing large feedlots and processing factories, would no longer have a market because of the new mandatory age minimums. Even though it was raised on pasture, no one would buy meat from a five year old steer for the family table.
Animals are Not Protected from Slaughter
Despite the apparent intent to prevent animals from being slaughtered at a young age, farmers and ranchers will sell them at the age the market demands simply transporting them to slaughter facilities in other states. These longer transport distances would increase the stress on the animals, increase the chances for injury and death during the trip, and generally be less humane than if the animal had been transported to a local facility within Colorado. Also, the rancher would receive lower prices for their animals due to the extra cost of this extended transport.
The impact on Colorado would be significant because meat processing factories would relocate out of state and lay-off Colorado workers, causing economic instability to Colorado workers.
No more meat for locavores
The growing farm-to-table, farm-to-market, and farm-to-consumer movement for meat products has been hailed as the best way to provide meat for consumers in the most humane way. This popular market channel would be shut down because animals could no longer be processed locally within Colorado. The only avenue available for consumers seeking meat for their table would be out-of-state processing plants.
No just transition
There is no plan in this proposed law to affect a just transition for the workers who would lose their jobs and the businesses which would close.
Action
For all of these reasons, and many more, this proposed law has terrible consequences for the consumer, for everyone involved with raising animals in Colorado and for the animals themselves. It affects more suffering, not less, for the animals themselves. Voters are urged to DECLINE TO SIGN the petition that would place Initiative 16 on the ballot in 2022.
Keep Colorado Wild!
Shelia Canfield-Jones Vice-Chair Rural Outreach Colorado Democratic Party |
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Re-Electing Our Dems: 2022 Ads |
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Senator Michael Bennet: "I've been fighting to expand the Child Tax Credit since 2015. It will help cut child poverty in HALF in the next year and help working families make ends meet. Now the work begins to make it permanent. Know this: I will not stop fighting until that happens."
"We're out with a new video today about our work. Watch and share!" |
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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser: "As part of my re-election campaign, I released a video capturing our commitment to fight for justice and all Coloradans. We still have important work to do, to protect Coloradans, improve our criminal justice system, and protect our land, air, and water."
Click here to watch, and be sure to share! |
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BILLS TO WATCH IN #COLEG |
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Transfer Jurisdiction To Veteran's Speciality Court (HB21-1016) Dem Sponsors: Rep. David Ortiz and Senate President Leroy Garcia
Public Utilities Commission Modernize Electric Transmission Infrastructure (SB21-072) Dem Sponsors: Rep. Alex Valdez and Sen. Chris Hansen
County Commissioner Districts Gerrymandering Dem Sponsors: Rep. Chris Kennedy and Sen. Pete Lee
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Opportunities with the Colorado Dems |
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SAVE THE DATE: Work for the Wave Webinars Coming! |
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Monday, April 19:
Monday, May 3:
Monday, May 17:
Are you interested in taking part in any of these trainings? For questions/to RSVP, email Tyler McDermott at [email protected]! |
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CDP Candidate Boot Camp This Summer! |
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For the first time ever, the Colorado Democratic Party is launching a Candidate Boot Camp for registered Democrats, focused on bringing candidates, potential candidates, campaign workers, and activists together to learn everything one would need to know to run for office.
From fundraising to field, from messaging to managing a candidate, from time management to campaign timelines, this training will prepare anyone seeking office or seeking to help elect Democrats at any level to take on any race in any corner of the state.
With so much great content to share and train on, this training will take place over three sessions held on the last weekend of the month over the course of three months, specifically May 29-30, June 26-27, and July 24-25.
Sign up link, agenda, and times to be announced soon! For questions, email Tyler McDermott at [email protected]! |
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Town Halls + Initiative News! |
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What: John Hickenlooper's First (Virtual) Town Hall as a U.S. Senator! When: TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 6:00 PM MDT How: Go to https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/live to watch the town hall! |
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What: AAPI Town Hall Hosted by Congressman Jason Crow & the AAPI Initiative of Colorado Dems When: Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 4:00 PM MDT Who: Host: Congressman Jason Crow Moderators: Howard Chou, Co-Founder/Chair, AAPI Initiative of CO Democrats and Susmita Saha, Vice Chair of the AAPI Initiative of CO Democrats Panelist: Colorado State Rep. Iman Jodeh (HD41)
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The Stonewall Democrats of Colorado will host their first membership meeting of the 2021-2022 term on April 15th at 6:30PM.
The meeting will introduce the new officer team, discuss Denver Pride2021, learn about LGBTQIA+ history with a special guest, and learn some basics about Stonewall and the Colorado Democratic Party.
WHEN: Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 6:30 PM MT
If you would like to attend the Stonewall Monthly meeting, please email [email protected] for the Zoom link.
Become a Stonewall Democrat member: CLICK HERE! Check out our new website: http://stonewallcodems.org If you would like to donate to Stonewall: CLICK HERE! |
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What: Women Win! Town Hall Hosted by the Colorado Dems Women's Initiative When: Thursday, April 28, 2021 at 7:00 PM MDT Who:
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#DemsDeliver |
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The Montrose County Democratic Party just finished its March outreach campaign in support of Housing Resources. Once again, the community of Montrose displayed what an amazing giving community it is!
The Montrose Dems received at the office brand new:
GO Montrose Democrats! You make us proud! |
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Sen. Michael Bennet Meets With Coloradans To Discuss Child Tax Credits CBS Denver
Sen. Michael Bennet hosted a virtual town hall on Friday to discuss the Child Tax Credit expansion included in the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden. The tax credits are approved for one year, but Bennet hopes Congress will see the benefit and make them permanent.
“This is a historic step forward, and it’s going to make a massive difference in the lives of kids and families here in Colorado and across the country. Our job now is to make the changes permanent,” Bennet explained.
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Rally at Colorado Capitol Calls for Lower Prescription Drug Prices Colorado Times Recorder
On Friday, April 9 supporters of a Colorado bill that would create an independent board of experts to limit prescription drug prices gathered at the state Capitol building. The rally featured health care advocates and patients sharing their stories of having dealt with high prescription drug prices.
The legislation, SB-175, introduced last month would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (or a PDAB) consisting of five non-partisan health care experts who could set upper pricing limits on exorbitantly priced prescription drugs.
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CBS Denver
Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse joined other lawmakers when Pres. Joe Biden announced executive actions centering around gun violence prevention measures. Neguse is a Democrat representing Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Boulder where 10 people were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers last month.
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DeGette’s wilderness proposal two decades in the making Post Independent
Rep. Diana DeGette’s Colorado Wilderness Act — part of a larger package of public lands protections including the CORE Act that recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives — has been more than 20 years in the making.
Contained in the proposal are areas carried over from several past wilderness bills sponsored by the congresswoman from Denver, including many in Garfield County.
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Colorado Sun
State lawmakers have sent two bills that would tighten gun regulations in Colorado to Gov. Jared Polis, who plans to sign them into law.
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Hickenlooper touts federal help at vaccine clinic Centennial Citizen
Sen. John Hickenlooper paid a visit to an Englewood vaccination site on April 1, touting the impact of federal dollars as the race to vaccinate Coloradans against COVID-19 picks up steam.
“It’s exciting to see people from all walks of life here,” Hickenlooper said after touring the site at the Malley Senior Recreation Center. “If we’re going to get past this pandemic and kickstart the economy, we’ve got to get everybody vaccinated.”
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Colorado AG's Website
Thanks, Chaplain Saul Rappeport, for that kind introduction. It is an honor to be here—virtually—with you all. I very much appreciate Lieutenant General Clark and Colonel Brian Hartless inviting me to join you today. And to all the cadets and staff of the Academy, thank you for your service and for defending our nation’s commitment to liberty and justice for all.
Holocaust Remembrance Day is a meaningful commemoration for my family. That is because my mom was born on Friday, April 13th, 1945—in a Nazi concentration camp. She was liberated several days later, along with my grandparents, by the United States Armed Forces, making her one of the youngest survivors of the Holocaust.
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Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold debunks GOP claims about her state's voting laws MSNBC, All In with Chris Hayes
"Colorado has the most accessible elections in the nation. We're also considered the most secure elections in the nation."
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GOP Watch |
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Just Stop Talking, Rep. Matt Soper Colorado Pols
Last week, we wrote about the unhinged reaction on the part of a number of Western Slope Republicans, including up-and-coming wunderkind Rep. Matt Soper, to the results of city council elections in Grand Junction–in which a slate of GOP-endorsed candidates was soundly defeated by a bipartisan moderate coalition.
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In Shift, CO Republican Leader Implies That Abortion Is an Election-Losing Issue for the Party Colorado Times Recorder
In a shift in tone following her election as chair of the Colorado Republican Party last month, Kristi Burton Brown, who built her political career on anti-abortion activism, signaled that opposition to abortion can no longer be part of Republicans’ strategy in Colorado if they want to win elections.
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In Memoriam |
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We were heartbroken to learn that Lee Hart, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado, has died. She was 85.
Lee died Friday at a hospital in Lakewood after a brief illness. She campaigned for her husband during his runs for the Senate and the White House.
She is survived by her husband, her two children, and her sister, former U.S. Rep. Martha Keys. |
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Mary Mullarkey, the first woman to serve as Colorado Supreme Court chief justice, has died at 77 The Denver Post
Colorado’s first female Supreme Court chief justice, who spent 23 years on the state’s highest court and 12 years as its chief, died Wednesday morning of March 31 after living for years with multiple sclerosis — a disease that never slowed her work.
She was 77.
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Henry Leopold Strauss, 93, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2021 at the home where he lived for the past 60 years.
Henry was active in Democratic politics and many community organizations including the Rotary Club and the Council on Foreign Relations and he served for 22 years on the Metropolitan State University Foundation Board. At the 2019 Obama Gala, we were honored to award him with the Chair's Service Award.
He is survived by his wife Joan, his son Andy Strauss, his daughters Pam Strauss (Mike Zislis) and Mimi Brouillette (Mark Brouillette), his granddaughters Abbie and Emily Zislis and Emma and Edie Brouillette and his beloved dog Max. |
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From the Teller County Democrats:
It is with a heavy heart that we share with our progressive friends the passing of Willy Hoffmeister on Thursday April 8th. He left this world with Connie by his side after a long battle with cancer.
Both Connie & Willy were active and passionate Democrats! Long time residents of Teller County with Connie serving for multiple years as our central committee secretary.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to Connie, you can mail to:
Connie Hoffmeister POB 1822 Woodland Park CO 80866
A celebration of life will be planned at a future date & we will share Willy’s obituary once it is available. |
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The Funnies! |
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Share the Dispatch |
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If you know someone interested in receiving our weekly newsletter, they can sign up here or they can visit our website at https://coloradodems.org/newsletters. |
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Contributions or gifts to the Democratic Party of Colorado are not tax deductible |
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