January 23, 2023 03:46 PM UTC

The fight for progress continues this week: January 23, 2023

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

It’s a new year with new challenges and opportunities. The Colorado General Assembly is back in session with a progressive supermajority and a powerful mandate from Colorado voters for bold progressive solutions to the problems faced by Colorado families and communities.

This weekend, what would have been the 50th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing abortion rights for every American provided a somber reminder that the battle for basic rights isn’t over, and everything we value is only an election away from mortal danger. That’s why it’s so important to re-engage during this year’s legislative session, and do the work once again to reaffirm, protect, and build upon the gains we’ve made.

This fall will mark 20 years since the founding of ProgressNow Colorado, and in that time we’ve been privileged to help empower and mobilize Colorado progressives to directly engage in the legislative process to promote policy outcomes that promote equity, opportunity, and a high quality of life for everyone who calls this state home.

Action item #1 this week: The Colorado Senate’s top priority bill this year, Senate Bill 1, is part of a package of legislation to address the state’s unsustainable housing shortage by streamlining partnerships to develop state-owned land into affordable housing. It’s just the first step in a comprehensive strategy to develop innovative solutions to bring down the cost of housing for the large percentage of Coloradans who can barely afford to remain housed in today’s market.

If you have a story to tell about unaffordable housing in Colorado, especially for public servants and employees of critical economic engines like hospitality and tourism, this is a chance to help pass legislation to directly address the issue. Tomorrow, Tuesday January 24 at the Colorado State Capitol, the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee will host the first debate and public testimony on this important legislation.

What: Senate Bill 1 (Affordable Housing) Committee Hearing
Where: Colorado State Capitol, SCR 352 at 2:00pm

Here are a few more ways to take action for the week of January 23, 2023. Watch this space each week through the legislative session for events and action alerts from PNC and other leading progressive advocacy groups:

Colorado Water Plan Launch and Celebration

Colorado Water Conservation Board invites you to celebrate the launch of the 2023 Colorado Water Plan! Join CWCB for an evening gathering to celebrate the release of the 2023 Water Plan, as well as the partnerships, community, and hard work that helped bring the updated Water Plan to fruition. The celebration will include various speakers, recognition of basin and community water heroes, live music and more. Join us at Improper City from 5-9 PM — food trucks will be on site. Please RSVP in advance.

When: Tuesday, January 24 at 5:00pm
Where: Improper City, 3201 Walnut St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Women’s Lobby of Colorado: Legislative Session Kick-Off Social

Join our legislative kick-off social to meet other advocates for social time! This event is for organizational, individual and potential members!

When: Wednesday, January 25 at 5:30pm
Where: Bar Nun Denver, 1225 Logan St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

9to5 Colorado: Legislative Kickoff

Calling all community members – Join us on January 26th at 6:30pm for our Legislative Kickoff! We are gearing up for a packed legislative session and have the opportunity to move forward important policy for workers, renters, and mobile home owners. Learn about the bills we will advocate for and how to get involved with our campaigns!

When: Thursday, January 26 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP. 

A Conversation about Gang Violence, Gentrification and Activism in NE Denver

During the early 1990s, Northeast Denver was a hotbed of gang activity following the “Summer of Violence” in 1993. Today, Northeast Denver hosts a thriving Black community with Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and a nationally recognized research facility in the Blair-Caldwell Library. Yet gang and street violence continues to rise and impact the Black community, even while the Black population of the historic areas continues to fall. Come spend an evening in conversation with the producer (donnie l. betts), subject (Terrance Roberts), and director (Julian Rubinstein) as they discuss how capitalism and racism create oppressive systems—such as gang violence—that affect certain communities more than others. And to look at the urban development of this area. This evening includes a screening of the award-winning Denver documentary: “The Holly,” filmed by Julian Rubinstein during the reporting of his award-winning book of the same name.

When: Saturday, January 28 at 1:00pm
Where: History Colorado, 1200 N Broadway, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Denver PDA & Colorado Fiscal Institute Presents!

Want to learn more about Colorado’s 2023 legislative session? Identify the racist roots of our tax policies? Delve into fiscal reform? The Colorado Fiscal Institute will provide us with an overview of these timely topics and more.

When: Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm
Where: Denver Public Library – Virginia Village Branch, 1500 S Dahlia St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Save the date: Conservation Colorado Jefferson County Legislative Kick-Off Event

JeffCo residents! Join Conservation Colorado, Senator Lisa Cutter, and Representative Sheila Lieder for our legislative kick-off event where Senator Cutter and Representative Lieder will be discussing their bills for the 2023 Legislative Session. There will also be time to mingle and get to know your legislators!

When: Wednesday, February 1 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

With your help and support, we’ve reshaped Colorado over the past two decades into a place that lives and defends progressive values. Thanks for all you do and will continue to do, and we’ll see you next week with more ways to take action.