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JURY FINDS CHAUVIN GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES. |
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Like everyone, we were watching closely as the jury announced that they found former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges for the murder of George Floyd last year. We are so relieved for the family and loved ones of George Floyd, and we put out the following statements reacting to the guilty verdict:
Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party: “No one is above the law. It is my hope that not only will today’s righteous ruling bring some semblance of peace to George Floyd’s family and loved ones, but to the many people that former officer Derek Chauvin assaulted and hurt in the past. Today is a good day, but we must continue to hold police officers who are hurting and killing people of color in our communities accountable. They need to stop killing us.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party: “I applaud the jury for making the right decision in this landmark case. But make no mistake about it -- not only should George Floyd be alive today, but so should Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, and countless other men and women of color whose lives were taken without accountability for far too long. We need policing reform at the federal level, and we must continue the work to address systemic racism in our criminal justice system. Because Black Lives Matter.” |
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The American Rescue Plan How is it helping folks? |
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Colorado Public Radio
To the east of San Miguel, in Hinsdale County, Commissioner Greg Levine thinks his county will get more money this time than from last year's CARES Act, and he's thankful for that.
“It’s huge. I can’t even express the positive impact it will have on our county,” he said.
His remote mountain county is the least populous in the state — with a lot more land than people. Tax rolls tend to be low, so this funding gives them a chance to think big.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, perhaps, and so we’re looking at big ideas that we can’t achieve on our own without this,” Levine said.
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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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The 2021 Obama Gala Saturday, April 24, 2021 @ 5:00PM MT |
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THIS SATURDAY is the 2021 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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The Annual Colorado State Budget |
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As is their constitutional duty, the Colorado legislature is taking up the annual state budget. The House has passed the budget with bipartisan support, and it now falls to the Senate to pass a budget that ensures vital programs and services are funded, while Colorado present and future continue to be supported.
Here are some of the highlights of the budget passed out of the House!
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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, 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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SAVE THE DATE: Colorado Conversations Virtual Town Halls |
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The CDP is launching its virtual town hall tour for 2021, with this year's theme being "Colorado Conversations"! Each town hall will feature expert panelists and elected officials to discuss issues impacting our communities, what elected officials are doing about them, and how you can make a difference!
Click here or the graphic or the button below to join us for our first town hall on Saturday, May 15 that focuses on the State of Our Healthcare! |
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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 22-23, 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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Initiative and County Party News! |
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WHAT: Progressive Democrats Initiative Monthly Meeting - April 22, 2021 "Systemic Racism"
Please join us for our monthly membership meeting on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Obi Ezeadi and Dr. Tom Keefe will be presenting us with a breakdown of current events, and an overview of systemic racism. You won't want to miss this presentation. Please register at the link below and join us!
Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0odeCrrjstG9z9jz4qz1eGpf9TeGuCTNda |
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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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HUERFANO DEMS: Mother Jones 2021 |
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From the Huerfano County Dems:
Normally, the Huerfano County Democrats host an annual Mother Jones Dinner to raise the funds that support us for the year. Due to COVID-19, last year’s event was canceled. We are embracing the future and planning a fundraising event online this year.
Stay tuned for more information.
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In the meantime, the Huerfano Dems have come out with fantastic Mother Jones t-shirts that you can receive with a donation to the Huerfano County Dems! Click here to learn more! |
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#DemsDeliver |
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One senator's idea to save forests and help the climate — and create jobs CBS News
More than 10.2 million acres of the United States burned last year from wildfires, killing 46 people and causing $16.6 billion in damages. Senator Michael Bennet said the country needs to be more proactive with fire prevention by putting people to work maintaining forests.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Democrat will introduce legislation focused on restoring and maintaining forests, watersheds and rangelands across the West to protect those areas from the threats of climate change, and in turn create jobs.
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Rep. Jason Crow, experts react to pulling troops from Afghanistan by 9/11 The Denver Channel
Democratic U.S. Congressman Jason Crow said it's "time to bring our men and women home," in response to the announcement President Joe Biden will withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11.
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Colorado governor signs two gun measures into law nearly a month after Boulder shooting CNN
Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed two bills tightening gun regulations into law on Monday, nearly a month after the mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado, left a police officer and nine others dead.
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U.S. House Passes SAFE Banking Act To Give Cannabis Industry Access To Banking Services CBS Denver
The U.S. House of Representatives once again passed the SAFE Banking Act on Monday, which would give the cannabis industry access to banking services. The bipartisan bill was co-authored by Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat who represents Colorado’s 7th Congressional District.
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Hickenlooper among bipartisan group of lawmakers to meet with Biden Durango Herald
President Joe Biden this week met with a small, bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, to discuss his recently released plan to improve American infrastructure.
In March, Biden introduced the American Jobs Plan, his $2 trillion infrastructure plan aimed at improving a wide range of American infrastructure, including schools, roads, broadband and the environment. Since then there has been much discussion about how the projects listed in the plan will be paid for and how different aspects of the plan will change as it makes its way through the U.S. House and the Senate.
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Attorney General Weiser releases 2020 Annual Report Colorado AG's Website
Our office's 2020 annual report underscores how our team confronted new challenges--from defending the integrity of our elections (including suing the Postal Service twice) to protecting the public’s health by enforcing state health orders to addressing vaccine scams. Through all of these challenges, we rose to the occasion, as captured in this video. As we did so, we were true to our core values--as principled public servants who are innovative and collaborative.
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Western Slope Now
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold has joined Secretaries of State from across the country to commend the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for its work combatting disinformation in the 2020 elections and to request an expansion of those efforts.
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GOP Watch |
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Lauren Boebert invites controversy again with vote against bone marrow registry The Denver Post
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert raised eyebrows Thursday night by voting against a bill to reauthorize the National Marrow Donor Program, which matches leukemia and lymphoma patients with donors of bone marrow and cord blood.
“It is unconscionable that Congresswoman Boebert would stand in the way of cancer patients’ access to bone marrow transplants and the cancer-fighting properties they have,” Colorado Democratic Party spokesman David Pourshoushtari said.
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Colorado State Republican Makes Lynching Joke, Defends 3/5 Compromise Huffington Post
Colorado state Rep. Ron Hanks (R) is facing criticism after he made a lynching joke on the state House floor and argued that the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787 “was not impugning anyone’s humanity.”
Halisi Vinson, executive director of the Colorado Democratic Party, said Hanks was trying to “whitesplain the historical experience of Black people in our country.”
“The fact that Representative Hanks thought it would be appropriate to make a ‘joke’ about lynching ― especially at a time when we’re seeing a rise of racially motivated assaults on people of color across our country ― is utterly despicable.”
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In Memoriam |
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The Colorado Democratic Party was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Ann Knollman, a long-time Democratic leader and beloved member of the community who is credited as a major part of Democratic gains and victories in Jefferson County.
Ann served in numerous Party offices, including as Chair of House District 29, Chair of Senate District 19, and Chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party. Ann was elected by her peers to be a Presidential Elector numerous times, including this past presidential election. Recently, and for a number of years, she served as the Chair of Congressional District 7. |
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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 Hofmeister 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 Hofmeister 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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