May 14, 2018 12:54 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (May 14)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

The 2018 session of the Colorado legislature is finally over.

With your help, the progressive coalition of civic engagement groups, lawmakers, and concerned residents of Colorado just like you fought back against the far-right fringe, stopped terrible laws like abortion bans and drastic weakening of our state’s common-sense gun laws, and even made some progress undoing years of devastating cuts to our state’s public education system.

At the same time, we faced grave challenges that remind us how far we still have to go. The #MeToo movement swept into the Colorado General Assembly late last year, inspiring hope that a festering culture of unchecked sexual harassment in the legislature would finally be brought to an end. Although partially successful, resulting in the first expulsion of a sitting Colorado lawmaker in over a century, in the Republican-controlled Colorado Senate the drive for accountability was blocked by Republican leadership. Women forced to work with known harassers in positions of power were given little reason to believe next year will be any better.

With this legislative session now over, Colorado progressives look to the summer and fall of 2018 as the greatest opportunity in a generation to mobilize progressives to take our state and nation back. We have the momentum, the passion, and the facts on our side. If we all do our part, 2019 will be a year where we do more than merely hold the line against the fringe.

After two years of resistance to Trump, this is our moment to actually make America great again.

It starts right now. Here are some great ways to take action for the week of May 14:

Featured event: Students Decide 2018 – Gov and Attorney General Forum

Never Again – Colorado will host a governor and attorney general forum and is committed to making sure everyone’s voices are heard, regardless of your party affiliation or non-affiliation. We know that our June 26 primary is on the horizon, and we want you to come out and ask the tough questions as we have our first debate of state executive candidates!

Where: Manual High School, 1700 E 28th Ave, Denver
When: Saturday, May 19 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Last Push for Net Neutrality Rally

The U.S. Senate is voting on whether or not to save Net Neutrality by implementing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reverse the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality laws last December. Join us in front of Sen Cory Gardner’s office to tell him Colorado’s citizens, small businesses and non-profit organizations demand an open and fair internet!

Where: 721 19th Street, Suite 150, Denver
When: Monday, May 15 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado Safe Schools Webinar

One Colorado’s GSA Network will be hosting a statewide webinar on May 16th, 2018 based on our highly requested Safe Schools Training. In 2015, 88% of Colorado lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students reported hearing anti-LGBTQ remarks from peers and school staff on a regular basis. Additionally, sexual orientation and gender expression remain the two of the highest reported categories for identity-based harassment and assault in Colorado schools. There are many actions school communities can take to improve safety and inclusion for LGBTQ students.

Where: One Colorado, 1490 Lafayette St, Ste 304, Denver
When: Wednesday, May 16 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Conservation Colorado: Wild Stories: Celebrating the Lands Belonging To Us All

Celebrating the Lands Belonging to Us All will be an evening of storytelling highlighting the diversity of people working to protect our public lands.

Where: 621 Kalamath St, Denver
When: Wednesday, May 16 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative: Bills, Brews, BBQ, & Bingo!

Join us to celebrate and recap the 2018 legislative session! Even though it’s an election year, this session was jam packed with health care legislation, and CCHI was successful in moving some key bills forward while defeating some nasty ones.

Where: Alpine Dog Brewing Company, 1505 Ogden St, Denver
When: Thursday, May 17 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition: 2018 Spring Celebration

Join CIRC for an evening of food and celebration with members and supporters to honor all that we have accomplished together. Your ticket price of $35 includes appetizers and two drink tickets—and will support our work to make Colorado a more welcoming place for immigrants and refugees. $15 for children 13 years and under.

Where: Museo De Las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr, Denver
When: Thursday, May 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Showing Up for Racial Justice – SURJ Colorado Springs Book Club: The Beautiful Struggle

Join us for a discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coats’s The Beautiful Struggle!
Paul Coates was an enigmatic god to his sons: a Vietnam vet who rolled with the Black Panthers, an old-school disciplinarian and new-age believer in free love, an autodidact who launched a publishing company in his basement dedicated to telling the true history of African civilization. Most of all, he was a wily tactician whose mission was to carry his sons across the shoals of inner-city adolescence—and through the collapsing civilization of Baltimore in the Age of Crack—and into the safe arms of Howard University, where he worked so his children could attend for free.

Where: Poor Richard’s Downtown, 320 – 324 1/2 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs
When: Thursday, May 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

What Can We Do Here: Community Conversation on Sustainability

Panelists will include: Councilwoman At-Large Debbie Ortega, Megan Lane from Denver Recycles at the Department of Public Works, and Taylor Moellers from Sustainable Neighborhoods Denver at the Department of Public Health and Environment. The best place to make a difference on sustainability and climate change is right here in Denver. Discuss city-wide sustainability initiatives and the Denver Climate Action Plan. Find ways to engage with local government on urgent environmental issues and ways to address them.

Where: Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., 2823 Fairfax St, Denver
When: Thursday, May 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Warm Cookies of the Revolution: What Does It Mean to Be A Man?

What does it mean to be a man? Come check out a fabulous drag performance by Dixie Crystals, Zarah, and Mile High KINGdom, and hear from a diverse set of perspectives.

Where: McNichols Building, 144 W Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Thursday, May 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Change on the Front Range: Party with Progressives

Each year, New Leaders Council Denver throws a party to celebrate the many people working for progressive action and change. Join us for the third annual Change on the Front Range! We are thrilled to celebrate our 2018 fellows and to raise funds for our 2019 fellowship. Come ready to enjoy beverages, appetizers, live art and entertainment.

Where: Black Black Coffee, 3459 Ringsby Ct, Denver
When: Thursday, May 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Woke Up Stand Up Issue 5: The Case of the Missing Chill

Coming to Denver for another round, Team WuSu presents Woke Up Stand Up: The Case of the Missing Chill! This will easily be the funniest night you have in Denver in recent memory! (Not to mention the funkiest).

Where: Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., Denver
When: Friday, May 18 at 8:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado: Run/Walk/Prancersize The Colfax 5K

Do you like pretending to be active while funding abortion? So do we! Join us Saturday, May 19th and run (or not) the Colfax 5K to raise funds for the Women’s Freedom Fund! Bring your dog! Bring your kids! Bring your friends that act like kids! All funds raised go directly to providing financial assistance for abortion care.

Where: City Park, Denver
When: Saturday, May 19 at 9:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Longmont Renewable Energy Fair

In January, the Longmont City Council passed a resolution committing Longmont to 100% renewable energy by 2030. Our Renewable Energy Committee is now working to ensure that Longmont meets this goal. This event will be a fun, family friendly celebration of our success to date, highlighting technological innovations and market forces driving us faster and faster toward a fossil free future.

Where: City of Longmont Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Avenue, Longmont
When: Saturday, May 19 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Black Women for Political Action – CBWPA: Talking Politics Happy Hour

Come join us for our first Talking Politics Happy Hour in Colorado Springs! Stop by for food, drinks, networking, and great political conversation! Our first Talking Politics Happy Hour event will be held at the English Dockside Seafood Grill, a locally black owned restaurant in Colorado Springs! Everyone is welcome (even non-members)! No need to be an expert on politics. Come network and join in the discussion!

Where: English Dockside West, 1201 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs
When: Saturday, May 19 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Thanks again for everything you do to fight back week after week. We’ll be back next Monday with more ways to take action.