April 15, 2019 03:57 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (April 15)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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Today is April 15th, the day we’ve all been taught to dread as the day tax filings are due to the IRS. But our friends at the Colorado Fiscal Institute want everyone to remember that taxes are an investment in everything we value together: our transportation systems, health care and education, civil rights, environmental protection, public safety, and so much more.

It’s unfortunate that recent changes in Washington have resulted in a tax system that’s less fair than it used to be, and rewarded the wealthiest 1% of Americans with more in tax cuts than the entire middle class. Even so, without that investment we all make at every level of local, state and national government, we wouldn’t have a country that works at all.

So I too am #proudtopay despite it all. Thanks to CFI for this important reminder.

We’re closing in on the end of the 2019 session of the Colorado General Assembly! With just a few short weeks left to finish this historic session full of great legislative accomplishments, here are a few more ways you can make a difference either by testifying at the Capitol or emailing your lawmakers in support of these bills:

On Tuesday, help SUPPORT bipartisan legislation in the House Education Committee to give people who have paid their debt to society a second chance at higher education. Senate Bill 19-170 prohibits colleges from inquiring about many kinds of criminal histories–with important exclusions for certain serious violent offenses, domestic violence, stalking, and sex crimes. Contact your state lawmakers now and urge them to support this important bill.

On Wednesday in the House Business Affairs Committee, SUPPORT the Equal Pay For Equal Work Act. Senate Bill 19-085 puts teeth into laws on the books for decades that say women should be paid the same rate as a man for the same work. Most importantly, women who are victims of wage discrimination can bring a civil action themselves. Contact your Colorado lawmakers and ask them to support this bill.

Also on Wednesday, two bills we’ve alerted you to in previous weeks, Senate Bill 19-002 to Regulate Student Loan Servicers and House Bill 19-1266 to Restore Voting Rights to Parolees will be up for debate in the House Education and State Affairs Committees respectively. Please turn out to testify if you’re able!

Thanks as always for everything you’re doing to fight back for our shared values week after week. Here are some more great ways to make a difference for the week of April 15th:

Denver’s Anti-Forum Mayoralpalooza

Community advocacy groups All in Denver, A+ Colorado, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Interfaith Alliance of Colorado are joining forces on a mayoral forum – or “anti-forum” as they call it. The groups are seeking to engage community members who feel left out of or dis-enfranchised by the political process by hosting a forum that is inclusive, welcoming, and fun!

Where: 2510 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Monday, April 15 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Tarana Burke: Creating a Movement

Tarana Burke shares the story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning ‘me too.’ Movement, and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment. #MeToo is not just an overnight hashtag sensation; Tarana has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to social justice and to laying the groundwork for a movement that was initially created to help young women of color who survived sexual abuse and assault. The movement now inspires solidarity, amplifies the voices of thousands of victims of sexual abuse, and puts the focus back on survivors. In her upcoming book, Where the Light Enters, Tarana discusses the importance of the ‘me too.’ Movement as well as her personal journey from “victim to survivor to thriver.” Tarana’s continued work with the ‘me too.’ movement has earned her the honor of being named The Root 100’s most influential person of 2018.

Where: Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St, Boulder
When: Monday, April 15 at 7:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Moms Clean Air Force Lobby Day = Mom Power!

Calling all Coloradans who care about kids’ health and breathing clean air! We are bringing advocates together in support of House Bill 1261 – Climate Action Plan To Reduce Pollution. At Lobby Day we will learn how to advocate for clean air to protect our children’s health, meet with legislators and observe the legislative process in action.

Where: Colorado State Capitol
When: Tuesday, April 16 at 9:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Take action online.

Together Colorado: 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 16 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

All hands on deck – last Indivisible Lobby Day in the Capitol!

Please join us in the last Indivisible Lobby Day at the Capitol. We will partner with Colorado’s Climate Future and advocate for HB-1261 (Climate Action Plan). The critical Senate vote is coming up in the week of 4/22 and will likely decide the fate of the bill. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, you can still join other groups and Colorado’s Climate Future to lobby for HB-1261 on any other day of the week (between 4/15 – 4/19).

Where: Colorado State Capitol
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 8:15am

Click here to RSVP.

350 Denver: “Funeral for the Earth”

We are in the planet’s 6th mass extinction, caused by human greed, callousness, and indifference. Climate change is destroying life on our planet, and threatens our own existence. We will have a funeral march with a coffin and other artful props. We will meet outside Dianna DeGette’s Office and lead a funeral procession to 9News.

Where: 600 N Grant St, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Sister Helen Prejean at Nat’l College of Capital Voir Dire

Please join us for cocktails & hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate Special Guest Sister Helen Prejean’s 80th birthday to raise money for local nonprofit, The National College of Capital Voir Dire (NCCVD). Sister Helen is the author of Dead Man Walking and a world renowned anti-death penalty activist. She will be celebrating her birthday with us in Denver to help raise money for NCCVD which trains lawyers to fight the death penalty locally and nationally.

Where: Haddon Morgan and Foreman, 150 E 10th Ave, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

The Denver Press Club: Covering Columbine: 20 Years Later

Mark your calendars for April 17, from 6:30-8 p.m. for a panel discussion on the 20-year anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton. We’ll be speaking to a group of people who helped cover the event, including Kevin Simpson, former reporter for The Denver Post and now of the Colorado Sun; Steve Davis, the former public information officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Jerry Bell, managing editor of KOA News Radio; and former Rocky Mountain News director of photography Janet Reeves.

Where: The Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Pl, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Ballots and Brews with Drinking Liberally Municipal Edition

Ballots are dropping on Monday in what is what is a very important election for Denver. We only get to vote for our city leaders once every four years. If you are still unsure of who to vote for or still not decided on a ballot issue, bring your ballots to Drinking Liberally on Wednesday and talk about it with your liberal friends. And please, bring a friend or a neighbor.

Where: Irish Snug, 1201 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Conservation Colorado: Brews for Conservation

Come join Conservation Colorado and your newest City Councilors at Copeka Coffee to learn about water conservation and how to get involved in protecting this resource. Water is critical to the Western Slope and we need your help and for the community to get involved to protect this important resource.

Where: Copeka Coffee, 1012 N 5th Street, Grand Junction
When: Thursday, April 18 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Guns Down in Colorado

A call to action: Building a safer future with fewer guns.

Where: 455 S Pierce St, Lakewood
When: Thursday, April 18 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Climate Sustainability Roundtable

Explore the link between our global climate crisis and local sustainability efforts at this dynamic, interactive event. We will learn about the science of climate change and actions being taken at the state and local level. Find out more about what you can do to promote environmental conservation and sustainability.

Where: Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd, Longmont
When: Thursday, April 18 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Outdoor Nerds Unite – Changing Ecology of the Front Range

This series takes an academic look at adventure and environmental related themes. FERAL is bringing together thought leaders from a myriad of fields, and outdoor junkies for experimental conversations on varying topics. Each month we will bring in a different speaker to share their expertise with the outdoor community. April’s topic is “Adventures in the Changing Ecology of the Front Range”. The lecture will cover the combination of natural and human-induced changes in Front Range ecosystems and what that means in terms of what outdoor enthusiasts can expect to find now and in the coming years.

Where: FERAL, 3936 Tennyson St., Denver
When: Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

2019 Western Slope GSA Leadership Summit

At the 2019 Western Slope Gay-Straight Alliance Leadership Summit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and their allies, will come together to learn actionable skills to be a force for change in their community. Attendees will have the chance to gain know-how on how to take the work of their GSAs and other support organizations to the next level. Change starts with you: are you ready to create it?

Where: Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave, Grand Junction
When: Saturday, April 20 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

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