July 19, 2021 02:59 PM UTC

What you can do to fight for progress this week (July 19)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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Last week, a million Colorado families received their first monthly expanded Child Tax Credit payment. In one of the biggest acts of economic relief for families with children in American history, the expanded Child Tax Credit is expected to cut child poverty in the United States in half. [1]

That’s not a misprint, it’s an historic achievement.

Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado is one of the principal architects of the expanded Child Tax Credit, and now he’s turning his focus to making sure this historic reduction in childhood poverty isn’t just a one-time windfall. Tonight at 5:30pm, Sen. Bennet is holding a Zoom Q&A session with reporter Jesse Paul of the Colorado Sun and the nonpartisan Taxpayer Advocate Service to answer questions about the Child Tax Credit. Click here to tune in, and send an email to the Colorado Sun with your question for Sen. Bennet.

It’s not too late to make your voice heard in the redistricting process! The independent redistricting commissions who will draw the new maps for Colorado’s congressional and legislative districts are touring the state throughout July and August. In Colorado, citizens have more power over the redistricting process than many other states–but that’s only a good thing if we use it. This week, the commission is holding hearings in Lakewood, Englewood, Steamboat Springs, and Craig. Click here to sign up to be notified about upcoming redistricting hearings in your area.

Here are a few more ways to make a difference for the week of July 19:

Colorado Fiscal Institute: Racist Roots of Tax Policy Webinar

The Colorado Fiscal Institute invites you to join us for a zoom webinar to understand the history and reasons behind why racism is at the root of tax policy, and how we can change the tax code to create a system that builds a more equitable future. Join our team of economists and tax policy experts during this one-hour event and discussion about our tax code.

When: Tuesday, July 20 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Garden Party with New Era Colorado

Colorado’s young voters turned out at historic rates in the 2020 election, cementing their place as the largest voting bloc in the state. Now is a critical moment for Colorado to leverage our political power to make concrete, bold progress on rebuilding our state towards a more just future—demonstrating to voters that their voices matter, restoring their faith in our democracy, and serving as a national model for progressive policy. We look forward to sharing about our fall organizing programs and how we’re building momentum towards 2022. Join us in Boulder for a night of community and youth leadership in Colorado!

When: Tuesday, July 20 at 5:30pm
Where: Boulder (location provided upon RSVP)

Click here to RSVP.

Women’s Lobby of Colorado: Annual Legislative Scorecard Event 2021

Join Women’s Lobby of Colorado for our Annual Legislative Scorecard Event!! You can join us in person at the Alliance Center or virtually via Zoom. We will be celebrating big wins including the passing of our primary bill this session, providing essential needs for families. Our speakers include Senator Brittany Pettersen, Jan Touslee from the Nappie Project, and more to come!

When: Wednesday, July 21 at 5:30pm
Where: Alliance Center, 1536 Wynkoop St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Sierra Club: July Climate Happy Hour

Enjoy a cocktail or mocktail with us and learn about opportunities to engage on clean energy, transportation, and more! This event will be casual and a good place for folks to ask questions and get to know each other while we’re socially distanced.

When: Wednesday, July 21 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Cervezas for Causes: Casa de Paz

Casa de Paz is the only non-profit in Colorado offering shelter to released immigrants and their families. Casa de Paz is a promise – a promise that as long as detention centers keep families apart, there will also be a welcoming home and help for those who need them.
When men and women are released from immigrant detention, Casa de Paz volunteers pick them up and bring them to the Casa where they begin making plans to reunite them with their families.

When: Thursday, July 22 at 5:30pm
Where: Cervecería Colorado, 1635 Platte St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

COLOR Action Fund: FIRST-EVER Scorecard Release Party!

A scorecard informs COLORistxs and other Reproductive Justice supporters how their legislators and the Colorado General Assembly worked to support Reproductive Justice and policies this year. Scorecards not only inform the public and our supporters about what Reproductive Justice policy looks like, but hold our leaders accountable to upholding these values which empower our communities.

When: Thursday, July 22 at 6:00pm
Where: Location upon RSVP

Click here to RSVP.

Durango’s Picnic at the Park: A celebration of culture, community, and legal defense for all

On June 25, the Statewide Legal Defense Fund for immigrants was signed into law along with a number of other monumental pieces of legislation that will keep our friends and neighbors safe. With no right to legal counsel during deportation proceedings, it’s essential that we celebrate these wins and continue to educate Coloradans on the current flaws in our immigration system and how we can ensure everyone has the right to due process and dignity.

When: Saturday, July 24 at 4:00pm
Where: Rotary Park, Durango

Click here to RSVP.

Save the date: ACLU of Colorado: Reproductive Rights Roadshow is Back!

Join ACLU of Colorado and Elephant Circle on Wednesday, July 28 at 12 p.m. as we kick off the Reproductive Roadshow with a special virtual training. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about birth justice, which, like reproductive justice, is an intersectional approach to a range of issues and needs that determine how people give birth with a focus on human rights. In this workshop, Elephant Circle will tell you about the comprehensive birth justice policy passed this legislative session, its impact, implementation, and how to get involved.

When: Wednesday, July 28 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

We’ll be back next week with more opportunities to fight for progress. Thanks again!