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TIME TO VOTE! The 2022 Obama Gala Awards |
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It's time to vote, dear readers! Time to vote on the 2022 Obama Gala Awards!
We received numerous nominations from folks all across our great state to come up with our nominees for the awards! While we were flattered that a number of Colorado Dems staff and Democratic political staffers were nominated for these prestigious awards, paid staff aren't eligible to receive the awards (but thank you for thinking of us! 😁 )
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A Note from the Author |
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Hi folks! What a year, right?
Normally I'm not one to write about myself, but I do have some bittersweet news.
After nearly 3 wonderful years at Team CDP, I will be departing from at the end of the year to pursue in opportunity on the East Coast so I can be closer to my family.
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When the Colorado Democratic Party's fearless leader, Chair Morgan Carroll, asked me to come aboard at the end of the 2018 cycle, I couldn't say 'Yes' fast enough. Since joining Team CDP as communications and digital director in 2019, I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with so many of you across the state. We logged hundreds of miles meeting folks across the state, holding candidate forums, action stops, and trainings so we could ensure Colorado Dems were ready for an even bigger 2020!
I particularly remember on Tuesday, March 2, 2020, we held a Super Tuesday watch party in Denver, and was in awe at how packed the room got! So many Democrats voters, young and old, showed up and were fired up to defeat Cory Gardner, defeat Donald Trump, and hold our majorities in the state House and Senate! It was then I knew that we would be ready to win big in 2020.
Then, just days later, the pandemic happened, and everything went virtual. But, we Colorado Democrats didn't panic. Instead, we adapted to a virtual assembly and convention process, elected delegates to the now virtual 2020 DNC, and worked our butts off to elect Democrats up and down the ticket while ensuring we were keeping our neighbors and communities safe from COVID-19. And the rest, as they say, is history.
It has been my honor to be your writer for the Democratic Dispatch, and to have had the opportunity to work with so many of you over these past nearly three years! Thank you -- all of you -- for your passion and dedication to defending democracy and electing Democrats up and down the ticket. Colorado's progress doesn't come without you, and we're done so much together to move our state forward. I'll miss you all.
Go! Fight! Win!
-- David Pourshoushtari |
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Getting Ready for the 2022 Legislative Session! |
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Colorado Dems are ready for the 2022 legislative session, and they need YOU to help them pass policies that deliver for hardworking families!
Share the graphic above, and encourage your friends and family in Colorado to stay engaged and be involved in the Democratic process!
ACTION ALERT: The Republicans are going to do everything they can to win back the State Senate and State House in 2022, and we can't let that happen.
Will you donate TODAY to the House Majority Project AND the Democratic Senate Campaign Fund to defend Colorado's blue majorities? |
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Updates from Candidates, County Parties, and Initiatives |
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Progressive Dems Initiative Meeting |
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WHAT: Progressive Democrats Initiative Monthly Meeting - Thursday, December 9, 7pm
NURSING EXODUS: THE PANDEMIC AND CRITICAL SHORTAGES
Did you know that nearly 1 in 5 health care workers have quit their jobs since the Pandemic started? America is experiencing an exodus of nurses and other health care professionals as COVID numbers rise and the highly transmissible Omicron variant arrives on our shores.
On Thursday, December 9th, the Progressive Democrats of Colorado will be joined by Tracey Zimmer, Director of Clinical Services for Brighton Hospice, for a discussion on the impact of systemic staffing shortages on healthcare administration in Colorado and what to expect in the years to come. Our own Michael Neil will share his experience from the client's perspective on what it's like to receive medical care unrelated to COVID treatment at a time of ongoing crises in public health. We'll also consider what progressive activists can do to support overworked medical staff and to ensure equitable access to health care.
Please register in advance for this meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkceqprzwoGtW2BiDpwzZedPjSo8eM-hI M
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
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Candidate Updates! |
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State Representative Dylan Roberts announced his campaign to represent the Western Slope in the newly drawn 8th State Senate District! Click here or the screen grab above to watch his launch video, and go to https://dylanroberts.org/ to learn more about his campaign! |
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Stephanie Vigil, an active Democrat in El Paso County, recently announced her run for the newly drawn 16th State House District! Click here to take a look at Stephanie's campaign, and learn how *you* can get involved in getting her elected, or visit here website at https://www.stephanievigil.com |
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Join the Defenders of Democracy! |
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If 2021 showed us anything, it's that we are no longer a party divided between liberals and conservatives. We are divided between people who are pro-democracy, and people who are anti-democracy.
Anti-democracy Republicans in Colorado are desperate to claw back power, and they'll say and do anything to make it happen. They have dark money, but we have you. Will you become a Defender of Democracy by giving $5 a month?
Monthly donations enable us to be able to plan our budget ahead of time and ensure that we can pay our organizers and staffers to continue to defend democracy. Monthly donors empower us to plan our budget, and they ensure that we can fully fund our 2022 Win Plan.
Will you become a Defender of Democracy and chip-in just $5 a month? |
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Help Fund President Biden's Portrait in the Colorado State Capitol! |
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Did You Know the Colorado State Capitol has a Presidential Portrait Gallery? |
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Democratic State Rep. Susan Lontine (HD1) is working with the Creativity Lab of Colorado to raise the $15,000 needed to commission a portrait of President Joe Biden for the Presidential Portrait Gallery in the Colorado State Capitol, and they need your help! Click here or read below to learn more:
Please help us achieve the fundraising goal of $15,000 to commission Colorado artist, Sarah Boardman, create the 46th president’s portrait to add to the Presidential Portrait Gallery on the third floor rotunda of the Colorado State Capitol. gallery of the capital’s rotunda. Boardman has been commissioned to create presidential portraits for the state capital of past presidents. |
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Help Wanted! |
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Colorado Dems are currently hiring for: Click the job descriptions to learn more! |
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In Memoriam |
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We were heartbroken to learn the news that Dr. Sharon Bailey, a giant among educators, scholars, and equity advocates, passed away this past Friday. As written in Chalkbeat Colorado:
Denver Public Schools lost its moral compass with the passing of district Ombudsperson Sharon Bailey on Friday, according to friends and colleagues. A straightforward critic of the institutional racism she saw in the district, Bailey was also a compassionate leader who believed the system could change and was willing to help, they said.
In 2016, Bailey authored a seminal report about the treatment of Black educators and students in Denver that served as a catalyst for the district’s current Black excellence efforts. The report has a long name, but everyone simply calls it the Bailey Report.
We join so many across Colorado in mourning Dr. Bailey's loss. May her memory be a blessing. |
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Volunteer of the Week! |
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Meet Kate, this week's Volunteer of the Week!
I am new to political volunteering and not naturally political. My political activism was triggered by Donald Trump’s announcing his candidacy for President. My sister, a former hippie, started dragging me to rallies and marches, including the Women’s March and a rally at Corey Gardner’s office, where we played dead (to protest his stand on Obama Care).
I’ve been a long-time volunteer for charitable organizations. The issues I am most passionate about are elder care, immigration, mental health, and social justice. I have served ten years on the Board of People House, a non-profit organization offering low-cost mental health counseling. Recently I started working for Casa De Paz as a companion to immigrants released from ICE. Casa De Paz offers shelter, meals, plane/bus tickets, transportation, and emotional support to newly released immigrants
My latest adventure in volunteering for the Colorado Democratic Party began with my friend asking if I was willing to call potential volunteers. I love this friend so, of course, I agreed. As I’ve gotten into this role, I am getting more and more excited. We have the mid-term elections coming up and, with Colorado’s re-districting, it is going to take all of our efforts to maintain Colorado’s Democratic status. Please invite your friends and family members to volunteer. We are going to need a lot of help in 2022
Want to volunteer and help elect Democrats across Colorado like Kate is doing? Click the button below to join our talent bank, and we'll get you plugged in! |
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David's Messaging Minute! |
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Where has the GOP been? Thanks to corporate greed and ongoing supply chain issues, the cost of living has been going up for years. |
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As you have seen in this space, Republicans are suddenly concerned about the rising cost of living and goods because they view it as a "gold mine" for their electoral chances in 2022 election. While the GOP is doing everything they can to blame President Biden and Democrats for the rising cost of living, voters across the spectrum aren't buying it. |
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That's because the reality of the situation is that while everyday Coloradans and Americans are struggling as we work to rebound from the pandemic, the biggest corporations are seeing their profits skyrocket.
Despite to Republicans' dishonesty on inflation, voters still aren't buying it. |
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The point? While Joe Biden and Democrats are passing legislation to create jobs, increase wages, and cut taxes and lower costs for middle and low-income families, Republicans are doing nothing to take on the corporate greed that is especially squeezing Americans during the holiday season.
Republicans are all talk, and only see the struggles of families as a political "gold mine" for themselves. |
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And remember... |
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