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THIS SATURDAY! Colorado Dems Launch 2021 "Colorado Conversations" Town Hall Series! |
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We are committed to reaching out to every Coloradan on issues that matter. We believe it is healthy for people to listen and learn from other people, hear from elected officials addressing real-world problems, and ultimately know that they have the power to be part of the solution.
That's why this Saturday, we're launching the first of a 14-part statewide series of virtual town halls called "Colorado Conversations"! The first town hall will focus on a topic that impacts you and everyone you know -- healthcare. Click here to sign up!
Our state of healthcare is a topic that concerns people from all walks of life. Whether it's access to mental health resources, high medical bills, the increasing cost of prescription drugs, racial disparities in our healthcare system, or the sheer distance to see a doctor if you live in rural Colorado, we ALL have a story and an experience when it comes to navigating the American healthcare system.
In fact, this year in the state legislature, healthcare is a major focus on a number of Democratic-led bills, including:
Come join us on Saturday to learn about these legislative efforts, and how you can help make sure they make it to the finish line and signed into law! |
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Can't make it on Saturday! That's okay -- we have 14 town halls planned out! Go to https://coloradodems.org/coconvos/ to keep an eye out for the next town halls, and to save the date for the ones that interest you! |
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The American Rescue Plan How is it helping folks? |
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Photo Credit: David Zalubowski/AP |
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How much will Colorado, local municipalities receive in the American Rescue Plan? The Denver Channel
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released the allocations and spending guidelines for the $5.7 billion that will soon be headed to Colorado and its local governments as part of the American Rescue Plan.
President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion stimulus package back in March, which includes $350 billion for state and local governments across the country they will be able to use in several ways to come out of the pandemic. ... Colorado and its local governments will get $5.7 billion in total from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: $3.8 billion for the state; $1.1 billion for counties; $551 million for metropolitan cities and $265 million for local governments with 50,000 or fewer people.
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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 else does the American Rescue Plan specifically help Coloradans, you ask? Click the link to find out! |
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BILLS TO WATCH IN #COLEG |
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Innovative Affordable Housing Strategies (HB21-1271) Dem Sponsors: Reps. Iman Jodeh & Julie McCluskie, and Sen. Julie Gonzales
Local Regulation Of Firearms (SB21-256) Dem Sponsors: Reps. Lindsey Daugherty & Edie Hooton, and Sens. Steve Fenberg and Dominick Moreno
Relief for Small Businesses and Working Families + Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes (HB21-1311 & HB21-1312) Dem Sponsors: Reps. Emily Sirota & Mike Weissman, and Sens. Chris Hansen & Dominick Moreno
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Opportunities with the Colorado Dems |
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JOB ALERT! |
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The Democratic Senate Campaign Fund -- our initiative to protect the Democratic majority in the Colorado state senate -- is hiring a full-time finance director!
Colorado is a major target of Republicans in DC, and they're hoping they can flip the Democratic majority in the state senate to stop all the progress Dems have delivered to move our state forward for all! This is a great opportunity to be part of protecting one of the most important statehouse majorities in the entire country!
Interested? Click here to read the job description, and apply right away! |
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SAVE THE DATE: Work for the Wave Webinars Coming! |
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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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Want to Run for Office? Join Us for Boot Camp and Get Trained! |
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For the first time ever, the Colorado Democratic Party is launching a *free* 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!
Who Should Attend? If you're a precinct organizer, a county party officer, an active Democrat in your community, or a Democrat who has thought about running for office before, this training is for you!
What Will You Be Learning? 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!
Sounds Awesome! How do I join? You can go to these Mobilize links and sign up there! THIS IS A TWO-DAY TRAINING SESSION. You MUST sign up at BOTH links! |
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For questions, email Tyler McDermott at [email protected]! |
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Initiative and County Party News! |
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The Stonewall Democrats of Colorado will host their monthly membership meeting on Thursday, May 20th at 6:30PM!
At this meeting, the initiative will discuss Denver Pride 2021 Events, learn some basics about Stonewall and the Colorado Democratic Party, get updates from the Colorado LGBTQIA+ Caucus, and have an open discussion on LGBTQIA+ issues in Colorado.
If you would like to attend the Stonewall Monthly meeting, please register for the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/3nlB3PM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Stonewall Democrats of Colorado is looking for a few volunteers to help us create a professional video for the Denver Pride 2021 virtual parade. If you have video production equipment or video editing skills, please email [email protected].
Upcoming LGBTQIA+ Dates May 17 -- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
May 19 -- Agender Pride Day
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Join the Denver Dems for their Annual Fundraiser! |
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NEW TWITTER ACCOUNT! Follow @ChaffeeDems! |
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The Chaffee County Dems have a brand new Twitter account, and we'd love your help in helping them gain some followers! Click here to throw them a follow or go to the link below, and ask your friends to follow them too!
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#DemsDeliver |
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US restores transgender health protections denied by Trump Associated Press
The federal government will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, the Biden administration declared Monday, reversing a Trump-era policy that narrowed rights at the intersection of changing social mores and sensitive medical decisions.
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Biden touts economic recovery steps as more American Rescue Plan funds become available CBS News
President Biden said Monday that more than $350 billion will be sent to states and localities to get public employees laid off when governments had to balance their budgets amid the pandemic back to work. State and local governments have cut more than 1 million jobs since the start of the pandemic.
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CBS Denver
Sen. Michael Bennet announced his re-election campaign for U.S. Senate on Monday. The Democrat was endorsed by Gov. Jared Polis, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, Attorney General Phil Weiser along with fellow Sen. John Hickenlooper, Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Joe Neguse and Rep. Ed Perlmutter.
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Opinion: This year brings a fresh chance to protect special lands across the West Colorado Sun
In February, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, a package of bills which would protect special lands across the West, including just over 2 million acres here in Colorado via two bills: The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act and the Colorado Wilderness Act.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette’s Colorado Wilderness Act would designate 660,000 acres of wilderness, mostly on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in western Colorado. Different versions of her bill have been introduced since the late 1990s, but were unsuccessful. The CWA has not been endorsed or introduced by either Colorado senator and its path through the Senate remains unclear.
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Congressman Joe Neguse visits Table Mesa business owners, tours Calwood Fire cleanup Boulder Daily Camera
After climbing the twists and turns of a narrow dirt road that wound around the wooded hilltops of Jamestown, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse stepped from an off-road vehicle and strapped on a hard hat to meet with disaster relief volunteers with Team Rubicon.
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Aurora Sentinel
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow on Friday introduced a bill that would require states to enact laws outlining investigation protocols related to law enforcement officials who kill or injure people on the job.
Deemed the “Use of Force Accountability Act of 2021,” the proposal would require states that receive federal grant money tethered to policing to codify investigation panels that would probe police who use lethal or injurious force
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CPR News
They stood shoulder to shoulder on the Capitol’s rotunda stairs Tuesday: transportation officials, the head of an environmental group, representatives from business groups, Democrats and even two Republicans.
They were a “historic coalition,” Gov. Jared Polis announced from a podium below, the product of more than 100 meetings meant to build support for the day’s occasion: a long-awaited transportation funding bill.
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GOP Watch |
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Colorado Newsline
In May 2019, as Democrats in the Colorado General Assembly advanced a bill launching the state’s efforts to ensure a “just transition” for coal workers impacted by the shift to clean energy, Republicans were incensed. ... Now, two years after Democrats passed HB-1314 over unanimous GOP opposition, many Republicans are singing a different tune.
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In Memoriam |
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We were heartbroken to learn that Cynthia Wake -- a staple in the community, an organizing force, and a passionate fighter to build a better future for all -- has passed away. Countless Colorado politicos have come out with warm thoughts and support for Cynthia's family, speaking to her incredible impact on our state.
Cynthia Wake never stopped giving to the community of Denver. An activist, a tireless volunteer, a leader, an awesome neighbor, friend, community member, a champion of equality, a constant learner, a change-maker- as well as a funny, gutsy, genuine spirit- Cynthia was all these amazing things. But her most important job was mom- to two amazing young humans, Xavier and Quintaisha, and two beautiful and brilliant grandbabies, Dykota and Nani. Sadly, after a shockingly brief battle with cancer, Cynthia is gone. Now it is our turn to give back to her family. This family will be facing many emotional hurdles dealing with the sudden loss of their mother, but let's do everything we can to make sure they have some stability and support in terms of resources. Your donation may be used to cover hospital and funeral expenses, but also to help pay family bills and just stabilize the ground beneath Xavier and Quintaisha as they grieve their lovely and amazing mom. Cynthia Wake was working to make this world a better place right up to the end of her life. Let's honor her legacy by helping make life just a little easier for her children and grandchildren. |
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Former Chair of Weld County Dems and Saguache County Dems |
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We were also heartbroken to learn that Kevin Noland -- a longtime fixture in Colorado Democratic grassroots politics -- has passed away.
From Kevin's sister, Lori: On Friday, April 23rd 2021, the world lost a good man. My brother, Kevin Noland, lost his battle with cancer, but we will always remember and be grateful for the time we had with him. Kevin was a champion for the underdog, volunteered his time, and served as an RN for the VA Hospital system. He loved to fish, travel, listen to music, and participate in politics. He was involved in the local Democratic party when he lived in Greeley and Crestone, Colorado and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention one year. He believed in helping those less fortunate and had a huge impact on the people who were fortunate enough to call him friend. He was my big brother, and even though we were 9 years apart in age, he was always kind to me (even when I was an annoying little sister). We weren’t always close, but in recent years we had the chance to spend more time together. We traveled to New Orleans, hung out together when I would come to Grand Junction to visit, and I traveled with him to Houston when he was part of a clinical trial at MD Anderson. His family and friends are heartbroken. We will always miss and remember his sense of humor, his kind spirit, and the good man that he was. If I’m ever faced with the kind of struggle he encountered these past couple of years, I hope I can show the kind of courage and positive attitude he did.
Rest in peace, Kevin. |
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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