April 22, 2019 02:46 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (April 22)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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Happy Earth Week! Here in Colorado, this week’s observance of a week devoted to caring for our natural environment takes on added significance as the Colorado General Assembly passes legislation to protect the public from the health effects of oil and gas drilling, and to fight global climate change by doing our part to slash greenhouse gas emissions. The crisis is real, and it’s way past time to take bold action to protect the planet from our own short-sightedness.

Fortunately in Colorado, we elected lawmakers last November who get it. Instead of throwing up our hands and blaming others, we’re taking responsibility and focusing on what we can do.

Action item #1 this week: contact your state senator–click here to get started–and urge them to SUPPORT House Bill 19-1261, to create a Climate Action Plan for Colorado to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

With just two weeks left in the 2019 session of the Colorado legislature, here are a couple more ways you can help pass great bills that will make a difference in your daily life–either by coming to the Capitol to testify or contacting your lawmakers:

On Tuesday in the Senate Finance Committee, SUPPORT legislation to give consumers more information about surprise “out of network” medical charges. House Bill 19-1174 increases disclosure requirements for out-of-network health care providers to help consumers avoid massive, sometimes devastating additional charges for care.

On Wednesday in the House Health and Insurance Committee, SUPPORT Senate Bill 19-005, a bill to allow the wholesale importation of Canadian pharmaceutical products to sell in Colorado. This bill has one purpose: to save Coloradans money on prescription drugs.

Also this week, contact your Colorado House representative and urge them to SUPPORT House Bill 19-1278, an “omnibus” bill including a number of small changes to the election system designed to improve efficiency and increase access. There’s a reason Colorado has the best election system in the nation, and this bill keeps the system running smoothly.

Thanks for your help! Here are some more opportunities to fight back for the week of April 22:

The Denver Press Club: Ethical Journalism is NOT an oxymoron

Reporters, editors and the people behind the cameras do not operate in a moral vacuum. No, really. A discussion, with multiple examples, of the principles that responsible journalists have agreed on as the standards they should try to achieve in practicing the profession. They range from broad, aspirational (and totally voluntarily) codes of ethics drafted by organizations comprising hundreds and thousands of journalists, to detailed and specific guidelines enforced by their employers. Two members of the Colorado pro chapter of the Society of Professional members — Kara Mason, former state president, and Fred Brown, former national president — will lead the discussion.

Where: The Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Pl, Denver
When: Monday, April 22 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Women In Power: A Night With Denver’s Leading Ladies in Politics

Gather your girlfriends and join us next Monday, April 22nd, as we sit down with female candidates running for office in the upcoming election and female candidates who already hold positions in the government as we discuss with them their ideas, experiences, how they feel government can start to benefit the people, what they plan to do to create lasting and effective change while in office and what their vision is for the city’s future.

Where: ATC DEN, 3420 Larimer Street, Denver
When: Monday, April 22 at 7:00pm

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 23 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

CFIR Spotlight On Social Media!

Have you ever read an article and felt what it was saying was completely wrong? Have you ever read an article that was a great explanation of a topic you are passionate about? After reading these articles, were you lost on what you could do to correct misperceptions or incorrect facts? Or had difficulty finding out a way to compliment the author of an article you truly loved? If you had ever felt any of this, join AFSC in finding out what to do!

Where: AFSC & Coloradans For Immigrant Rights, 1420 Ogden Street, Suite 201, Denver
When: Tuesday, April 23 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Colorado Denim Day 2019

On Colorado Denim Day, April 24, 2019, state agencies, businesses, and other groups in Colorado are asked to allow their employees to pay $5 in exchange for wearing jeans on Denim Day. Employees wearing jeans will also receive stickers that they can wear to let everyone know why they are wearing jeans on Denim Day. Wearing jeans is a conversation-starter and visual sign of your support of survivors. Colorado Denim Day demonstrates the power of communities coming together to support survivors and take a stand against sexual violence.

Where: Numerous events
When: Wednesday, April 24

Click here to RSVP.

Green New Deal Town Hall

Join us at this Town Hall to hear leaders in our community discuss how a Green New Deal could be the biggest opportunity of our lifetime to organize for the future we need, and what that looks like for us. A focus is on decentering whiteness/specifically uplifting stories of how climate change is affecting communities of color in Colorado.

Where: The Laundry on Lawrence, 2701 Lawrence St, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 24 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Liable for Climate Harms in CO

In April 2018, the City of Boulder, Boulder County, and San Miguel County filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil and Suncor for knowingly promoting and selling products that they knew to be dangerous. The lawsuit asks that these companies pay their fair share of the costs of recovering from current impacts as well as the costs of protecting local residents and property from future impacts. This case is one of several in which affected communities are seeking compensation for costs associated with recovery and adaptation measures that would otherwise be borne solely by taxpayers. The panelists will focus on the costs associated with local climate impacts, the legal and scientific bases for bringing the case, lessons learned from similar lawsuits, and community perspectives as to why this lawsuit is necessary to shift some of the burden from taxpayers to polluters.

Where: University of Colorado Law School, Wolf Law Building, 2450 Kittredge Loop Dr., Boulder
When: Thursday, April 25 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

UndocuMonologue With The Boulder Philharmonic

Motus Theater and the Boulder Philharmonic present an intimate performance that weaves theater and music to change the conversation about immigration. On Saturday, April 27th, at 9:30 pm after the Boulder Philharmonic’s “The Dream of America” concert, join us in the chorus room of the Macky Auditorium (Macky Room 102) to hear the powerful autobiographical monologue of Cristian Solano-Córdova, followed by the inspiring musical response from Boulder Philharmonic violinist, Sharon Park. After the performance, stay for a talkback in which the performers will discuss their experience as participants in this artistic exchange.

Where: Macky Auditorium 17th St & University Ave Boulder
When: Saturday, April 27 at 9:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Rally for Impeachment Hearings – Denver

Impeachment may seem like an extreme solution to an already extreme situation – many people are worried about what Pence as President would mean, or how impeachment might divide the country, but I ask that we focus on the problem at hand: Trump. Let us deal with Pence and the more ardent supporters of the administration once we actually come to cross that bridge. Impeachment was written into our constitution as the most viable solution to the situation we face today. It is an expected consequence to those who threaten our democracy as Trump does.

Where: Colorado State Capitol
When: Saturday, April 27 at 1:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Emergency Truth and Poverty Bus Tour: Denver

For this event, we are stopping in Denver to lift the narratives of people experiencing homelessness. From legislation to legal battles, a resurrection village to tiny homes, there has been a sustained movement of people experiencing homelessness in Denver who have fought for transformative solutions that have prioritized the voices and experiences of the poor. We will be joined by Denver Homeless Out Loud and Free Speech TV for this tour, which will start at El Centro Humanitario and end at Jer-E-Ville. NOTE: this event will be followed by a film screening and panel discussion at El Centro focused on the issue of Right to Survive.

Where: 2260 California St, Denver
When: Saturday, April 27 at 1:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado and Keep Abortion Safe: Women’s Freedom Fund Sex Trivia Fundraiser

Prizes include tickets to the 2020 NARAL Gala, free drinks, and more! Appetizers and cash bar available (2 for 1 drinks woo hoo!) Crowd raise with your trivia team from March 25-31st to see EVERY DOLLAR MATCHED! All funds raised go directly back to patients seeking abortion care.

Where: Irish Snug, 1201 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Sunday, April 28 at 3:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Thanks again! We’ll be back next week with more ways to take action.