The Butterflies Are Coming! |
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Transformations is our theme for 2023.
Together we have made meaningful changes and have elected more Democrats than at any other point in the history of the state.
Monarch butterflies take 3 to 4 generations to reach their migration destination. Our work is built on the work of past generations, like the monarchs we grow and transform to accomplish our mission. Our goals and ideals are bigger than any of us, unity is our strength.
As we are doing the work to transform society and people’s lives, we grow and evolve ourselves. The Party is going through its own transformation in 2023; we are electing new leaders.
Join us, on April 1st 2023 at 5pm at the Sheraton Hotel in Denver to reflect upon the work we accomplished together, think about what future challenges we need to overcome and enjoy an inspiring evening with your blue friends. |
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We are excited to announce that the Butterfly Pavilion will bring 400 Monarch Butterflies in an enclosed tent to the Obama Gala. Guests will be able to enjoy the experience starting at 5pm and until the program starts at 6:15pm. |
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Colorado Senate Bills Highlights |
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Our State Senators are hard at work. They have listened to Coloradans' concerns and are taking action. Below is a list of bills sponsored by our Democratic Senators, you can see the status of the bills here. Get to know your State Senator, sign up for their town halls, their newsletters and connect with them about issues that matter to you.
More info about your State Senators can be found on our website.
SB23-023 Senator Marchman's bill would encourage CPR and AED instruction in high school curriculum.
“This session, we’re committed to improving all aspects of health for Coloradans, from mental to behavioral to physical,” Marchman said. “With Damar Hamlin’s recent cardiac arrest, the nation witnessed just how important it is to have critical, life saving skills in times of emergency. By equipping our high school students with comprehensive CPR training, we can improve the health and safety of Coloradans and save lives.”
SB23-008 Senate Majority Leader Moreno's bill was developed in partnership with the Colorado Youth Advisory Council to uplift student voices during the development of K-12 education standards.
“When the state's education standards are up for review, Colorado students deserve to have a say in what their education looks like,” Moreno said. "SB8 amplifies the voices of Colorado's students by creating several opportunities for young people to be involved in the existing review processes. I am excited to sponsor SB8 to involve students more in the process, and am proud to see this bill pass through its first committee hearing.”
SB23-099 Senator Zenzinger's bill would increase the required annual appropriation to the Department of Education by an additional $40 million, and will help bring down student-teacher ratios, decrease class sizes, and help schools provide the tailored assistance and support special education students need to learn and receive the quality education they deserve. SB23-037 Senator Cutter's bill requires deceptive marketing tactics on solicitations related to the Secretary of State to end.
Many Colorado business owners have received solicitations by mail that include deadlines and language that imply the request has come from a government official and that charge up to $200 for documents that are of little to no cost to file directly with the Secretary of State. SB23-037 bars these letters or emails from implying they are associated with any state or local agency, and requires them to include specific disclaimer language and information on where the document can be filed directly with the Secretary of State.
SB23-036 Senator's Cutter's bill streamlines the property tax exemption application process for veterans with disabilities.
Currently, veterans with disabilities must first submit their application for property tax exemption to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs (DVA) before applying to their county assessor, who is responsible for approving the application. This bill removes that first step, reducing the burden on veterans and helping them receive their benefits faster.
SB23-051 Senator Hinrichsen and Sullivan's bill bolsters workforce, supports apprenticeship programs.
SB23-051 codifies the current duties of the Office of the Future of Work (OFW), which serves as a central point of contact for efforts to respond to the changing nature of work, and helps ensure Coloradans are equipped with the necessary education, training, skills, and tools to fully participate in the labor force. “The Office of the Future of Work is doing critical work to create a more equitable economy and support Coloradans entering the workforce,” Hinrichsen said. “The workforce investments we make today will uplift Colorado’s economy and ensure hardworking Coloradans from Palisade to Pueblo can thrive for years to come.”
“Apprenticeships offer incredible opportunities for folks to gain real world, hands-on experience,” said Sullivan. “This important bill will ensure the State Apprenticeship Agency is able to do its job and match willing and able Coloradans to work opportunities that will build a future-ready talent pipeline.”
SB23-097 Senator Zenzinger's bill will reduce auto thefts in Colorado by eliminating the provision in state law that ties the value of a stolen vehicle to the severity of the penalty, which will improve equity and make most motor theft a felony regardless of the vehicle’s value.
The bill also aims to deter repeat offenders by elevating the felony level if the offender has two prior convictions for auto theft, or if the suspect possesses the stolen car for over 24 hours, alters its plates, leaves the state, causes $1,000 or more in damage, causes an injury to another, or uses the vehicle in another crime.
SB23-005 Senator Jaquez Lewis and Cutter's bill directs the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry and create a workforce development program in the State Forest Service.
SB23-006, Senator Robert's bill formally creates the Rural Opportunity Office (ROO) within the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. ROO is charged with serving as the central coordinator of rural economic development, supporting communities transitioning away from coal-based economies, and making recommendations to help inform economic development policy impacting rural communities.
SB23-016 Senator Hansen's bill would update the state’s emission reduction goals to match the latest climate science by adding interim targets, including a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 levels by 2035, and a new goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. To help reach these targets, the bill would require the Public Utility Commission to prioritize the renovation, rebuilding, and reconditioning of electrical transmission lines, enabling and improving electrification across the state. Permitting for these projects would be expedited and the construction would be included in the state’s labor standards.
SB23-043 Senator Kolker's bill would extend the School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) program until July 1, 2029. SAFER grants are used to purchase, upgrade, and maintain communications hardware and software to allow for seamless communications between schools and first responders during emergency situations. Currently, SAFER is set to expire on July 1, 2024.
SB23-003 Senator Buckner's bill would create the Colorado Adult High School program to expand educational opportunities for adults, which will improve Colorado’s workforce and close equity gaps. The Colorado Adult High School Program would reside within the Department of Education and partner with a local nonprofit to operate the program with an initial pilot campus located in Aurora. SB23-001 Senator Roberts and Zenzinger's bill would provide $13 million in funding to the Public-Private Collaboration Unit to help develop affordable workforce housing on state-owned land so that Colorado workers like teachers, nurses, and everyone in between, can find housing that fits their budget. |
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2024 Presidential Primary Calendar
The new presidential primary calendar for 2024 begins in South Carolina on February 3, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada on February 6, Georgia on February 13 and then Michigan on February 27. Colorado will be a Super Tuesday state again.
Last week at the Winter DNC meeting, the delegates from each state, DC and the territories met to vote on official party business, including the 2024 presidential primary calendar.
At the close of Saturday's three-and-a-half-hour General Session, delegates approved the recommendation of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) to reshuffle the early primary window for the first time since 2008, upending Iowa's coveted "first in the nation" caucus status, held for five decades.
Under DNC rules, no state can hold a presidential primary or caucus before the first Tuesday in March. Those previously exempted were Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which were granted "waivers" and allowed to hold their contests in early primaries as representative states of each region of the country.
Under the new review process, the nominating order gives preference to battleground states and those with diverse electorates, including ethnic, geographic and union representation.
Last year, the RBC met with 20 states over 11 meetings, with "the goal of yielding the best calendar possible for our party and to produce the best nominee...we wanted a calendar that would reflect who our party is now and not what our party was then," said DNC RBC member Bishop Leah Daughtry. "This was about acknowledging ...that Black and Latino voters are the committed base of our Party and deserve to have a say in the crafting of who our nominee is." The plan, however, is not without challenges. While South Carolina, Nevada and Michigan have met party requirements to join the new early lineup, Georgia and New Hampshire, where the legislatures are controlled by Republicans, must overcome legal obstacles to moving their primary dates.
In Georgia, Republican Secretary of State and chief election official Brad Raffensperger has endorsed an early primary in 2028 but has balked at changing the state's Democratic presidential primary in 2024 without the GOP agreeing to move its primary.
New Hampshire's state constitution mandates that they hold the country's first primary, and "state Republican leaders have made clear that will not change," said State Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley. "We hope the DNC will join us in understanding this reality, and work with us to elect - not punish - Democrats in our state."
Both states have been granted an extension until June 3 to confirm that they can hold a primary on their assigned date. If any state chooses to jump ahead of the new order, it could face penalties imposed by the DNC, such as limiting the number of delegates the state sends to the national convention.
Similarly, candidates who chose to campaign in unsanctioned states can incur party penalties, including limited access to debates, statistical data, |
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| HOWARD CHOU
Howard is the current 1st Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party and has been serving in that capacity since December of 2018. He is also the Chair/Co-founder of the Asian American Pacific Islander Initiative of Colorado Democrats. Nationally Howard is the Treasurer of the Association of Democratic State Committee (the State Party branch of the DNC) and is the first Coloradan to serve on its executive committee in over 22 years. He serves as the Treasurer of the Western Region of the DNC and Director of AAPI Engagement on the DNC Environmental and Climate Crisis Council. Read more
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TIM KUBIK
Tim has been an active volunteer with the Colorado Democratic Party. He left teaching in 2007 to work as the Colorado Volunteer Coordinator for Governor Bill Richardson's Presidential Campaign, then joined the Colorado Campaign for Change in 2008 as a field organizer. Shifting to volunteering in local politics, he joined the Larimer County Democratic Party in 2009 and managed a strong tough-turf campaign for Karen Stockley in HD49 in 2010. He's served as a Precinct Organizer and Captain in the Berthoud area, a House District and Senate District Chair, and as Chair of CD2 from 2017-2021. Read more
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SHAD MURIB
Shad has over 15 years of leadership experience running Democratic campaigns across Colorado and serving in senior roles in non-profit organizations and various government offices and agencies. He and his wife, State Senator Kerry Donovan, also run the Copper Bar Ranch, a working cattle and beef ranch out of Edwards, Colorado.
A first-generation American born to immigrant parents from Lebanon, Shad was born-and-raised in Littleton, Colorado. Read more | |
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1st Vice-Chair Candidates |
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INDIRA DUGGIRALA
Indira serves as Chair of the South Asian Democrats of Colorado and Secretary of the Douglas County Democratic Party (DCDP). She is part of the DCDP Rules Committee and an at-large member of the CD4 Executive Committee. Indira is also on the steering committee of the Southern Colorado chapter of the Braver Angels - a non profit group dedicated to depolarization in American politics.
Read more |
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| TERRY TUCKER
Terry Tucker has lived in Jefferson County for 20 years. She was elected to the Democratic National Committee for the 2016-2020 term. She currently serves as Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Colorado Initiative. Terry was appointed to the 2016 and 2020 National Democratic Party Platform Committee by Senator Sanders' campaign, and continues to serve on the Colorado State Platform Committee. Read more |
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2nd Vice-Chair Candidates |
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ELIJAH DIMON-AINSCOUGH
A Coloradan since birth, Elijah has worked tirelessly to represent others like him. Elijah often says he was born political; as a multiracial, queer person, he didn’t have a choice whether or not policy passed affected him. Elijah grew up with a single mother and his sister, at times they lived with his grandmother, aunts, uncles, and plenty of his cousins. Read more
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SCOTT MANGINO
Scott is originally from upstate New York, born a Democrat into a large union family. He originally moved to Colorado in 2010 after completing graduate school. He's a technology leader and former higher education professional.
Scott loves this state. So much so that he's moved here three times, and most of his family and friends think he works for the Colorado Tourism Office. All he wants to do is work to ensure this is and remains a great state for every Coloradan to thrive.
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JOSH TRUPIN
Josh was elected as CDP assistant secretary in Apr. 2021 and stepped into the secretary role in early 2022. He is running for a full term in 2023. In addition to his work as secretary, he also serves the party as secretary of the CDP Rules committee, co-chair of the CDP Platform committee, was chair of HD60 until redistricting, and serves as Second Vice Chair and data wrangler for the Park County Democrats. Read more |
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| ROSANNA REYES
Rosana grew up in a family of strong women & caring men who worked hard, served their country and community. Growing up in Adams County, Colorado, her Grandfather Joaquín’s’ words “it is your duty as an American to vote & vote Democrat!” were powerful. Rosana is University of Colorado graduate and registered nurse, working to eliminate health disparities due to COVID-19. Rosana seeks re-election as the State Party Treasurer, and volunteers with the Latino and Native American Initiatives, to elect Democrats with her values - healthcare for all, clean air/water, & human rights.
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CHRISTIAN SEALE Christian believes that a community is more than just an area that someone lives in, it
represents an extension of its citizen's shared dreams, needs, bonds, and aspirations. For him,
our community represents a symbol of our joined families and neighbors, bonded by our
shared values of Democracy, Mutual Respect, and Responsibility to each other. Christian is an
active member of our community and passionate about helping others.
Read more |
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Vice Chair of Party Operation Candidate |
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| JARROD MUNGER
Jarrod donates his time to the Democratic Party as his way to give back to the Party who gave him the hand up in his career in Information Technology. Through Democratic Party enacted re-training programs, Jarrod has been able to grow professionally by obtaining Information Technology and Process Management certifications after receiving WIA and TIAA grants through the Colorado Workforce Centers. Read more |
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Vice Chair of Cultural and Demographic Outreach Candidate |
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STEPHANIE BOWMAN
Stephanie Bowman is a lifelong organizer, activist, and political strategist, who was a battleground-state grasshopper for various Democratic candidates from Wisconsin, Virginia, Kansas, and California, before making Colorado Springs home in 2016. She has a BA in Political Science from Hampton University, Marketing Strategy at Cornell, and 15+ years of experience in executing campaigns to scale using both digital and in-person tactics. Stephanie brings a broad range of digital perspectives and a depth of knowledge from rural, urban, and suburban communities.
Read more |
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Vice Chair of Geographic Community Outreach Candidates |
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| MICHAEL BELL
Mike is a PhD Student at the University of Colorado at Denver’s School of Public Affairs. His research focuses on rural-urban partnerships and how communities manage utilities (water, electricity, and internet access). Mike is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. He deployed to Afghanistan, Qatar, and Jordan during his 15 year long career as a Military Intelligence Officer. Additionally, he is the small business owner/operator of Bell’s Nest, an online bookshop. Born and raised in Boston, MA, Mike graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in Astronomy in 2005 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2008.
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CALYN RIEGER
Calyn Dean Rieger is running to be your 2023 Vice Chair of Geographic Community Outreach for the Colorado Democratic Party. Currently serving on Avon Cultural, Arts, and Special Events Committee, Vice Chair III, and precinct organizer for Eagle County Democratic Party. Calyn seeks to be more than just a face in your community. He wants to inspire you to get involved, amplify your voice, and be your authentic, true self. Read more |
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CDP is hosting a candidate forum for all the contested positions on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 10am. The Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Anyone willing to run for the any position can send their notice of intent to run to [email protected].
We update our website daily with information about reorg. Please take a look at all the CDP officers candidates. |
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"My fellow Americans, we meet tonight at an inflection point. One of those moments that only a few generations ever face, where the decisions we make now will decide the course of this nation and of the world for decades to come. We are not bystanders to history. We are not powerless before the forces that confront us. It is within our power, of We the People. We are facing the test of our time and the time for choosing is at hand." - President Joe Biden |
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An invigorated, passionate, and sometimes combative Joe Biden exceeded expectations last night in the second State of the Union (SOTU) address of his presidency, Biden opened the 73-minute, masterfully-crafted speech with a salvo to bipartisanship, congratulating the new Congress and GOP Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, along with a nod to "the longest serving Senate Leader in history, Mitch McConnell."
He spoke to the possibilities when Democrats and Republicans come together, noting that he signed over 300 bipartisan pieces of legislation in the last Congress -- "from reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, to the Electoral Count Reform Act, to the Respect for Marriage Act."
In an apparent reference to the outcome of the 2022 elections, Biden said, "The people sent us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, gets us nowhere." In what became a thematic message, he said of the work ahead, "We’ve been sent here to finish the job."
Throughout the evening, a fired up Biden projected an ease and confidence that one might expect to see on the campaign trail.
From 12 million new jobs and a 50-year low in unemployment to the continued decrease in inflation over the last six months; from the 10 million Americans who applied to start new businesses to passage of the bipartisan Chips and Science Act, Biden lauded major administration accomplishments over the last two years.
He touted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, "the largest investment in infrastructure since President Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System," and thousands more jobs coming from the $300 billion commitment by companies to invest in American manufacturing.
He took a playful shot at "my Republican friends who voted against [the law] but still ask to fund projects in their districts. Don’t worry. I promised to be the president for all Americans. We’ll fund your projects. And I’ll see you at the ground-breaking."
Saying, "We’re making sure the supply chain for America begins in America," he announced a new initiative to ensure all construction materials used in federal infrastructure projects be made in the US.
A turning point in the speech came midway when Biden, speaking to the deficit, said, “No president added more to the national debt than my predecessor,” referring to former President Donald Trump. “Nearly 25% of the entire national debt that took over 200 years to accumulate was added by just one administration alone.” The statement prompted Republican boos, to which a fiesty Biden replied: “Those are the facts. Check it out.” Undeterred, Biden accused "some Republicans" of trying to sunset Medicare and Social Security, drawing an immediate wave of angry jeers. In an unscripted response, a grinning Biden responded, “Anybody who doubts it, contact my office, I’ll give you a copy of the proposal,” alluding to Senator Rick Scott's proposal to dismantle the country's social safety net for seniors. Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy attempted to quietly quell his heckling conference as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), previously censured for statements endorsing political violence, loudly proclaimed the President a “liar!”
Biden then turned the tables on the baited audience, praising the "unanimity" displayed by members on the politically sensitive issue, saying, "as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare are off the books now, right? They’re not to be touched."
The unprecedented sparring during SOTU was more reminiscent of the boisterous British House of Commons than the US Congress -- destined to be among the most memorable addresses in history. Not just for the public display of an unruly and disrespectful GOP, but for the performance of our sitting President.
In a spirited but measured manner, Biden spoke to the success of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has brought down healthcare costs, the record 16 million people enrolled under the Affordable Care Act, and to a country no longer under the grip of COVID, promising an end to the public emergency "soon."
In introducing a guest who had lost his daughter to fentanyl, Biden advocated for a major effort to stop the production, sale and trafficking of the drug, which is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year. Freshman GOP Congressman Andy Ogles (TN) chastised Biden, shouting “it’s your fault.”
The unflappable Biden said he was “glad to see” the reaction from the jeering Republicans, adding, “I enjoy conversion.”
He hailed his administration's environmental record and its historic conservation efforts as "responsible stewards of our lands. Let’s face reality," said Biden, "The climate crisis doesn’t care if your state is red or blue. It is an existential threat...I’m proud of how America is at last stepping up to the challenge."
He passionately called for passage of the Pro Act to ensure the right to form a union, federal legislation to codify reproductive rights, and to "finish the job" on gun safety and ban assault weapons. He powerfully challenged China and reiterrated support for Ukraine.
The most somber moment came when Biden introduced the parents of Tyre Nichols, a 29 year-old black man who was brutally beaten to death one month ago by Memphis police. Biden renewed his call for police reform, saying officers who "violate the public trust" should be held accountable and law enforcement officials should be given the necessary training and be held to higher standards.
Once again, the President was met with insults shouted by GOP members, but that time declined to engage. It was a good night for President Joe Biden, Candidate Joe Biden, his party and the people. |
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In Memory of Bob and Monica Kahn |
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Longtime Weld County Democrats, Bob and Monica Kahn, were killed in an automobile
accident, Friday February 3 rd , 2023. Bob and Monica were generous supporters of the
Democratic Party and Bob ran as a candidate for House District 48 in 1994.
Bob, 91, and Monica Kahn, 84, were active and prominent members of the Greeley community and in northern Colorado, both were involved with multiple groups and organizations individually and together.
The Kahns were both born in Europe and fled the Nazi regime with their families as young
children. They both ended up in Denver and married in 1959. They have three daughters, many grand children and one great-grandson born in January. Bob Kahn was a radiologist for more than 35 years — including providing some of the first radiation oncology in Greeley and later offering care to underserved areas in Wyoming, North Dakota and eastern Colorado, Monica Kahn was a northeast Colorado regional director for the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good program. They were both active in a variety of organizations and events, including the annual Go West Film Fest, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, High Plains Chautauqua, United Way of Weld County and the Weld Food Bank.
Monica was president of the Greeley Philharmonic Guild, a volunteer with the nonprofit Leanna’s Closet, which provides women in need with job-appropriate clothing, a volunteer in the surgery center at North Colorado Medical Center and, with Bob, a founding member of the Go West Film Fest. Monica also assisted cancer patients in accessing needed care outside of Greeley before an oncology program was developed in the city. She and Bob were both active with the Weld County Democrats, and Monica was a member of multiple book clubs in Greeley and Estes Park.
Bob was a member of the board of directors of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and a
longtime president and board member of Beth Israel Congregation in Greeley. Bob and Monica both were volunteer National Park rangers. Bob Kahn was also a member of Kiwanis, as well as serving on numerous committees at North Colorado Medical Center. Bob was president of the Weld County Medical Society, and he was a volunteer with the Holocaust Memorial Observances of Greeley and Northern Colorado Committee. At the age of 90 Bob became a first-time author with the publication of his book, Roentgen and Me, in October of 2021. The Kahn’s were very beloved by the Greeley Community and Weld County and their tireless contributions to the Weld County Democratic Party will always be remembered. Services for the Kahn’s were held on Wednesday, February 8 th with internment at Linn Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that any donations be made to:
The Weld Food Bank, www.weldfoodbank.org
Anti-Defamation League, ADL, support.adl.org
Go West Film Fest, www.gowestfilmfest.org
For more information: Robert Kahn Obituary - Greeley, CO (dignitymemorial.com)
Monica Kahn Obituary - Greeley, CO (dignitymemorial.com) |
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