April 01, 2019 02:06 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (April 1)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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This email contains no April Fool jokes. One day out of the year we have to start every serious message that way! But the first day of April means something else: the start of the home stretch of the Colorado legislative session.

Great things are happening this year in the Colorado legislature. Some of the biggest battles of the year have already ended in victory thanks to your help: legislation to better regulate the oil and gas industry and help keep us safe from gun violence are headed to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk. Both of these bills are major campaign promises for Gov. Polis and progressives in the legislature, and they’re about to be promises kept.

This week, we’ve got three more important bills we need your help to get through the process:

On Tuesday in the House Judiciary Committee, SUPPORT House Bill 19-1263: a bill to reduce the severity of personal-use drug possession convictions to misdemeanors. We’ve made great progress in Colorado ending the failed “war on drugs,” and it’s time to treat simple drug possession as the medical problem it is instead of a criminal justice issue. If you can’t make the hearing, send a message to lawmakers. Email the Chair of the Committee.

Also Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Finance Committee, SUPPORT the landmark FAMLI paid medical leave insurance program, Senate Bill 19-188. A majority priority in 2019, this legislation will create a paid medical leave system for all Colorado employees. It’s time to stop forcing hardworking Coloradans to choose between caring for a sick family member or paying their bills. If you can’t make the hearing, tell lawmakers you support this bill. Email the Chair of the Committee.

On Friday in the House Energy and Environment Committee, SUPPORT another crucial piece of legislation to create a statewide Climate Action Plan, House Bill 19-1261. The federal government under President Donald Trump has shirked the nation’s responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but Colorado progressives have a plan to do our part to cut emissions by 90% by 2050. If you can’t make the hearing, send a message in support right now. Email the Chair of the Committee.

Thanks as always for everything you do week after week–it’s making a difference! Here are more great ways to take action for the week of April 1st:

Featured Event: Equal Pay Day

Join the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, the Women’s Lobby of Colorado, and other organizations that support policies that ensure equal pay for equal work for this important lobby day. Equal Pay Lobby Day runs from 8:15am to 10:45am, followed by a rally and press conference on the West Steps of the Capitol at 11:30am. See you there!

Where: Colorado State Capitol
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 8:15am

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Farm & Food Alliance at Fire on the Mountain-Denver

Come down to have a drink and food, and learn about our current work in western Colorado to defend the state’s organic and farm-to-table capital from plans to expand oil and gas development across the region.

Where: Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings, 3801 W 32nd Ave, Denver
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 11:00am – 10:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Faithful Tuesdays at the Colorado State Capitol

Faithful Tuesdays is a diverse coalition of leaders, organizations and community members who are committed to adding a deeper, moral dimension to the public policymaking process in Colorado. Our focus is to advance a faith narrative and collaborative process that supports a just economy, promotes equity, and eradicates racism in Colorado. Our work will forward a unifying narrative uplifting our common faith call to build human dignity in our state.

Where: Colorado State Capitol
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Make Sen. Bennet Hear You on a Green New Deal!

On April 2nd, The Sunrise Movement will have a meeting with Sen. Bennet’s climate advisor. But we need YOU! Please come out for the climate rally in front of his office and show Senator Bennet that his constituents care about a Green New Deal.

Where: Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 2:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado House Party

Please join us at the home of Ann Wilson to learn more about One Colorado – the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families!

Where: 1630 N Clarkson St, Apt 216, Denver
When: Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

ACLU at the Capitol

Please join us on Wednesday, April 3 for ACLU at the Capitol, a day of advocacy and action. ACLU of Colorado has an ambitious legislative agenda this year, and we need your help to make it happen. Meet with your lawmakers and encourage them to improve our criminal justice system, pass comprehensive sex ed, and make Colorado a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees. We’ll provide breakfast in the morning and a full training on how to talk to legislators about our priority bills. Then, we’ll team up and head over to the Capitol for lobbying meetings. Afterwards, we’ll meet back for lunch and a recap of the day.

Where: First Baptist Church of Denver, 1373 Grant St, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 3 at 8:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Drinking Liberally Denver and Denver Right to Survive

Another Drinking Liberally is upon us this Wednesday. Come learn about the Initiative 300 “Right to Survive.” We will be joined by representatives of the Yes on 300 campaign. Bring your questions and concerns for a lively discussion over brews.

Where: 1201 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado: 2019 LGBTQ Denver Mayoral Forum

Join us at the EXDO Event Center on Thursday, April 4th 2019 at 6:00 PM for a forum with candidates for Denver Mayor to discuss issues that impact LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is highly suggested. When you sign up below, you can also submit a question to be asked of the candidates. Please keep in mind that not all questions submitted will be able to be used at the forum.

Where: EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver
When:Thursday, April 4 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

2019 One Colorado For All Statewide Tour – Breckenridge

As the state’s largest advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, we’ve worked hard for the legal and political advancements we’ve achieved. And there’s still so much work to do. As many of us know, legal equality and representation in elected offices does not eliminate the lived equality gap that affects many of us in our day-to-day lives.

Where: Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, 620 Village Rd, Breckenridge
When: Friday, April 5 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

ACLU 100 Experience in Denver

A multi-city tour on your rights and freedoms. Walk through groundbreaking interactive and immersive exhibits. Meet leading civil rights activists. Learn how to reduce prison populations, protect immigrants, and ensure everyone’s constitutional right to vote. Take action. A family-friendly event for people of all ages. Free + open to all.

Where: The Hangar at Stanley, 2501 N. Dallas Street, Aurora
When: Saturday, April 6 at 10:00am and Sunday, April 7 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Open NOH8 Photo Shoot in Denver, CO

Join the #NOH8Worldwide movement in DENVER, CO and add your face to the fight for equal human rights!

Where: The Center on Colfax, 1301 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Saturday, April 6 at 2:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

UndocuMonologues & Members of Flobots Together for ACLU 100th

Motus Theater’s UndocuMonologues with Flobots’ Jonny 5, Sarah Hubbard and Spirit of Grace responding musically to each story – FREE EVENT! Don’t miss this amazing collaboration headlining the 100th Anniversary of the ACLU.

Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora
When: Saturday, April 6 at 3:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Love Beats Hate Community Walk and Lunch

Stand up to hate and walk for love! Due to recent hateful and racist acts in the Denver area, we invite you to walk with us as we support the victims and represent all people victimized daily by ignorance, hate and racism. Walk with us shoulder to shoulder, united in LOVE, as we move together by foot and celebrate the fact that we are different, and that’s beautiful. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CREATE SIGNS ROOTED IN LOVE! This walk will be co-led by community leaders, police escorts, and the recently victimized family in the Clayton neighborhood.

Where: Walk2Connect, 2590 Walnut Street, Denver
When: Saturday, April 6 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Thanks again! We’ll see you next week with more ways to take action.