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BUILD BACK STRONGER! Join us for our Infrastructure Town Hall on Thursday, October 7! |
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Over a long period of time, our country has allowed our physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, infrastructure, etc) and our human infrastructure to wane as we neglected to invest in our country and ourselves. Under Democratic leadership, however, we're making Building Back Better and Building Back Stronger a top priority!
Sign up for our next edition of Colorado Conversations when we will discuss with community members, experts, and elected officials what we need to do to build back better, how TABOR has held our state back from building back stronger, and how you can help be part of the infrastructure solution! |
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WHY DOES THIS MATTER? President Joe Biden was in Colorado last week to not only talk about why we need to combat climate change, but to talk about how we can do it by rebuilding our infrastructure and create jobs! Biden's bipartisan infrastructure bill, which is currently going through negotiations in Congress, would:
We'll be talking about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the town hall, so be sure to sign up and join in on the discussion! In the meantime, if you want to learn more, click here to read information from the White House! |
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Can't make it on Thursday, October 7? Check out the schedule of our upcoming Colorado Conversations virtual town halls and mark ones you're interested in on your calendar! |
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The American Rescue Plan How is it helping folks? |
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Colorado putting $275 million to help make child care centers, preschool programs more affordable The Denver Post
Colorado is planning to help parents with elusive and expensive child care by putting $275 million in federal funding toward reducing tuition, increasing pay for workers and supporting community programs.
The investment is expected to save families more than $100 million in child care costs overall — or an average of about $450 per child in tuition over nine months and help child care centers remain open, according to Monday’s news release from Gov. Jared Polis’ office and the Colorado Department of Human Services. ... Colorado has about 24,000 early childhood educators. Although employee costs make up about 80% of early childhood program budgets, the workers are among the lowest-paid education workers in the state, with a third of them relying on public assistance, according to Polis’ office. The Washington Post reported that there’s a dearth of child care workers across the country because people are quitting to take higher-paying jobs.
Some of the American Rescue Plan money in Colorado will go to adding more employees and retaining workers, as well as grants to help cover extra costs during the pandemic. About $8 million of the amount will be put toward for childhood programs, including those aimed at preventing and reducing child abuse and supporting families through mental health programs.
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Remember -- Colorado Republicans like Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn all voted 'No' to helping 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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Local Candidates Corner! |
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Like the late, great Democratic speaker of the house Tip O'Neill famously said, "All Politics is Local". We couldn't agree more -- down ballot races are often where the most local and impactful offices are elected, and we want *you* to be aware of which Democrats are running for your local races! To help us help elect Democrats to every local seat possible, click here to get your very own Vote Local swag!
All proceeds go towards our efforts to elect Democrats up AND down the ticket!
Meet Candidates Running this November! |
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Democrats Running for Alamosa City Council |
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Meet the Democrats running for the Alamosa City Council!
Jan Vigil is running for re-election, he is an at-large councillor, and he's the Mayor Pro Tem! Lori Smith is running for the open seat of District 2!
Visit their Facebook pages, and see how you can help get these folks elected! |
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Democrats Running for the Aurora Public School Board |
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These are the four Democrats running for seats on the Aurora Public Schools board of directors in November 2021! Director Debbie Gerkin (Board Vice President) is running for re-election, and Democrats Tramaine Duncan, Michael Carter, and Dr. Anne Keke are running for what would be their first terms! Take a look at their Facebook pages and websites, and see how you can help elect progressive leadership to Aurora Public Schools!
*Director Marques Ivey, the current Board Secretary, recently announced his withdrawal from his run for re-election. |
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EVERY ELECTION IS IMPORTANT! Share this graphic on your social media pages to encourage your friends and neighbors to get involved with your local 2021 races! |
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Opportunities with Colorado Dems! |
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ENTER THE T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST! |
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Looking to put your design skills to the test? Are you passionate about empowering people and protecting the planet? Us too!
Submit your design ideas for our By the People, for the People: T-shirt Design Contest by September 26! The winner will be featured in our online store during the month of October! |
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TELL YOUR STORY WITH A SELFIE VIDEO! |
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HOW HAVE DEMOCRATIC POLICIES HELPED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? We're collecting stories and we're asking you to tell us *YOUR* story by recording a video! Reach out to Karin at [email protected] if you have any questions. Otherwise, click the button below to fill out the form! |
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County Parties and Initiatives! |
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Join the JeffCo Dems for their Annual Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner! |
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Early Bird Pricing extended to September 25
Saturday, October 9 Marriott Denver West Bar and Silent Auction open at 5:00. Dinner is at 6:30
The event will include remarks from some of our elected officials, a guest speaker (to be announced), and the presentation of the Eleanor Award to Lucinda Schneller!
Buy Your Tickets NOW: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2021erticket |
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WHAT: Progressive Democrats Initiative 4th Thursday Monthly Meeting - September 23, 7pm
UNIONIZING INDEPENDENT DRIVER CONTRACTORS Please join the Progressive Democrats of Colorado for our September membership Zoom call on Thursday, September 23, at 7pm where we take a look at the challenges faced by unionized independent contractor drivers trying to make a living and fighting for fair pay, healthcare, benefits and a seat at the regulatory table.
Eric Hauch, Chair of Colorado Independent Drivers United (CIDU) will be our guest speaker. His organization is a union by and for Rideshare, Taxi, and Limousine drivers who operate as independent contractors, open to any and all full-time and part-time drivers in Colorado. Members are joining together to fight for fair pay & mileage rates, affordable healthcare & benefits, health & safety protections, and a voice in the development and regulation of the autonomous vehicle market. Colorado Independent Drivers United is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7777.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpdu2rpzMpHNXIYZAQ3ZNBYZzk1fQ7AgBY
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
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The Stonewall Democrats of Colorado want to THANK everyone who has already donated to the 7th Annual Sock Drop Sock Hop Benefit. With one week left in the month, we’ve raised $1765 of our $2000 goal!
Your donations to the benefit will help Urban Peak (https://www.urbanpeak.org/) provide clothing and services for the homeless LGBTQIA+ youth in Denver and Colorado Springs. |
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All funds donated will be given to Urban Peak as part of the Sock Drop/Sock Hop Benefit. Visit the Stonewall Democrats of Colorado Facebook page for more details.
Our partner, Urban Peak, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving our homeless youth by providing an overnight shelter, a daytime Drop-In Center, Street Outreach, Education & Employment programming, and Supportive housing. |
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#DemsDeliver |
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Colorado joins coalition in support of a federal challenge to Texas abortion ban Colorado Newsline
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general on Wednesday in filing a brief in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in support of the Department of Justice’s challenge to new abortion restrictions in Texas, Weiser announced in a press release. Texas Senate Bill 8 went into effect on Sept. 1 and bans abortion after about six weeks of gestation, which is before many women know they are pregnant.
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House passes Crow’s measure seeking to name new VA clinic after Aurora legend John Mosley Aurora Sentinel
An effort to memorialize Aurora icon and veteran Tuskegee Airman John Mosley by naming a new VA clinic after him moved closer Monday to setting a date to officiate the honor.
Aurora Congressman Jason Crow said his bill seeking to honor John Mosley by making him the namesake of a new VA outpatient clinic on the Anschutz Medical Campus passed the House on voice vote this week.
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CARROLL: The Republican approach to voting is now anti-democracy, anti-republic Aurora Sentinel
Voters need to understand that the Republican Party they may remember growing up and seeing in the media is gone. Gone is the principled core of conservatism that I personally disagree with, but respect as it’s based in true beliefs. That core of the Republican Party has been replaced with a drive to acquire and abuse power at all costs.
No matter if their base is trying to intimidate election officials, spread disinformation, embrace conspiracy theories, or attack voting rights, Republican leaders like Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy will turn a blind eye because their goal is to win at all costs, our democracy and republic be damned.
We’re no longer a country divided between liberals and conservatives. We’re a country divided between people who are pro-democracy and people who are anti-democracy.
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GOP Watch |
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As she enters Colorado governor's race, Ganahl won't say if 2020 election was fraudulent 9News
After announcing her gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, Republican and University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl spoke with 9NEWS political reporter Marshall Zelinger.
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Volunteer of the Week |
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Meet Constance, this week's Volunteer of the Week!
Since July 2020, Constance Combs has volunteered for the Mesa County Democratic Party in the area of communications and volunteer recruitment - she manages newsletters for the Women's Group and Volunteer Committee. She moved to Grand Junction in 2019 after retiring in 2014 as a program analyst for refugee resettlement services in the private non-profit and DHHS government contract world. Constance began her feminist activism at the University of Arkansas as a mature student, serving on the Executive Committee for the annual Women's Conference and acquiring a B.A. in communications and Spanish. After her retirement in Phoenix, AZ, she was chosen as a Hillary Fellow in the 2016 Presidential Election and continues to support women entering into politics at all levels.
She is ever hopeful to have the ERA pass in her lifetime -- her first child was born the year before it first passed in 1972 -- and is serious about attempting to lessen the political divide in her community. Yet, she still has time for her garden-to-table exercise! Constance answers to "Mom" for two adult children and "Grammie" for three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living in northwest Arkansas. |
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Want to volunteer and help elect Democrats across Colorado like Bradley is doing? Click the button below to join our talent bank, and we'll get you plugged in! |
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Dems On the Road! |
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Shout out to the Montrose Dems and their intrepid volunteers for registering people to vote and passing out copies of the Constitution at the local Constitution Bash and Latino Heritage Day! Congresswoman Diana DeGette stopped by to say Hello! |
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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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