February 06, 2023 03:38 PM UTC

A Fair Workweek and more ways to fight for progress this week (February 6)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

We’re nearing one month into the 2023 session of the Colorado General Assembly, and I’m very excited about the ambitious slate of bold progressive legislation making its way through the process. Last November, Colorado voters delivered a powerful mandate to enact lasting reforms that every Coloradan will see at work in their own lives and communities.

In some ways, this is the most satisfying part of working in public policy: when the electioneering rhetoric is past, and it’s time to deliver on the promises we made. With your help, let’s get it done.

Action item #1 this week: Help us pass Fair Workweek legislation. Hourly workers in Colorado are facing unfair scheduling practices at their jobs. Unpredictable and fluctuating hours, unpaid “on-call” shifts and last minute changes are just a few of the unfair practices food and retail workers are going through. For workers this means fluctuating weekly income, and an inability to schedule important aspects of their lives – like childcare, health appointments, or other responsibilities. Unpredictable work schedules cause emotional distress that leads to poor mental, emotional and physical health.

450,000 Colorado workers in these sectors don’t know how much or when they’ll work each week. Fair Workweek legislation will provide stability for working families so that we can regain control of our schedules.

It’s a win-win for employees and employers alike when workers are happier, healthier and more productive. When workers have a greater say in their schedule, they’re happier, healthier, and more productive – helping retention and creating a stronger workforce.

Click here to call your state House representative and urge them to SUPPORT the Fair Workweek bill.

Next up: Support legislation to save renting Coloradans money! Application fees add up quickly for people searching for a rental home. Low income households in particular often have to choose between depleting their limited financial resources paying repeat fees, or applying to fewer homes and missing out on housing opportunities.

The solution: HB23-1099, Portable Screening Report For Residential Leases, a bill that expands housing choices, saves renting Coloradans money, and helps people protect their personal information. Contact your state representative today and urge them to SUPPORT House Bill 1099.

We’re tracking dozens of pieces of legislation making their ways through the process. Check the PNC Bill Tracker for the latest status on key bills, with ways you can help pass good legislation and stop bad ideas from the far right.

Thanks as always for everything you do week after week as we fight for our shared progressive values. Here are a few more ways to take action for the week of February 6, 2023:

Colorado Immunization Advocates: Advocacy Opportunity: Testify against HB 1029!

Do you want to speak up for science-based vaccine policies? We’ll help you testify at a hearing and share the parent/citizen perspective on public health! You can testify in-person at the State Capitol or online. Colorado Immunization Advocates is a group of parents and engaged citizens that supports vaccine policies based on science and public health best practices. We will organize and speak against bills that are intended to spread vaccine misinformation or create barriers to good vaccine policies in our schools and communities. Please RSVP if you’re able to testify (in-person or online) and we’ll contact you with additional information!

When: Tuesday, February 7 at 9:00am
Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Unify Challenge with AG Phil Weiser and Fmr Secretary of State Wayne Williams

Hosted by MSU Denver on the Auraria Campus, join Attorney General Phil Weiser and Former Secretary of State Wayne Williams for a live policy discussion about some of the most difficult questions facing our state, from access to firearms to education to how to utilize and protect Colorado’s natural resources. This discussion will be followed by a screening of a short documentary that follows four Coloradans with different political views as they engaged in discussion as part of the Unify Challenge for Colorado.

When: Tuesday, February 7 at 5:00pm
Where: Tivoli Turnhalle, Aurora Campus, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Conservation Colorado Central Mountains Legislative Kickoff

Learn about the exciting environmental work happening during the 2023 legislative session with special guests, Representative Elizabeth Velasco and Senator Dylan Roberts.

When: Tuesday, February 7 at 6:00pm
Where: The Bluebird Cafe, 730 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs

Click here to RSVP.

Conservation Colorado: Grand Junction’s Legislative Kickoff Event

Join Conservation Colorado staff and members from Grand Junction and the Grand Valley to connect and learn about our priorities for the 2023 Colorado legislative session. Hear from experts about important policies to protect our land, air, water, and people and learn how you can make your voice heard!

When: Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00pm
Where: Trailhead Coffee and Cafe, 413 Monument Rd., Grand Junction

Click here to RSVP.

350 Colorado: 2023 Climate Lobby Day!

Colorado is one of the fastest-warming states in the country and is already experiencing climate impacts that harm public health and environmental wellbeing. Colorado is experiencing shorter and warmer winters, declining snowpack, prolonged drought, extreme heat, unprecedented and destructive wildfires, widespread beetle infestation decimating alpine forests, more frequent and severe flooding, and more severe, and life-threatening ground-level ozone pollution. These harms disproportionately impact communities of color, poor communities, global south communities, children, elders, chronically ill and differently abled people, and threatened and endangered non-human species. Join us to encourage our legislators to fight for legislation that will address these issues.

When: Friday, February 10 at 8:00am
Where: 1373 N Grant St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado LGBTQ+ Lobby Day

One way we can shape the future of equality in Colorado is by making sure our elected representatives hear from us, so mark your calendar and sign up to join us! Don’t worry if it’s your first time at Lobby Day, we’ll train you, feed you, and provide you with all the information you’ll need to feel comfortable. To ensure we are successful in creating Lobbying groups when we go to the Capitol, please provide your complete address when signing up. You might be asking: why? We want to ensure folks from the same House and Senate Districts can lobby their respective legislative representatives.

When: Monday, February 13, 2023 at 8:00am
Where: First Baptist Church of Denver, 1373 Grant St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Save the date: Together Colorado The Facility Film Screening

Join Together Colorado for a community screening of “The Facility” followed by a panel discussion. “The Facility” is a documentary short that tells the story of Aurora’s GEO ICE facility — a private immigrant detention center whose shadowy practices are obscured from advocates and lawmakers alike. This film is directed by Jeremy Flood, who specializes in cinematic documentary story-telling and has worked with political campaigns, unions and advocacy organizations to tell stories that move people to action. This documentary aims to bring a local perspective to the devastating consequences of our immigration policy, and offer a microcosm of what is being done to communities across this country.

When: Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 6:00pm
Where: Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Save the date: Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Tenants’ Rights Workshop

It’s no secret that Colorado’s housing market is out of control. But do you know your rights as a tenant? Join us and the Community Economic Defense Project via Zoom to reclaim your power!

When: Thursday, February 16 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

We’ll see you next week with more ways to make a difference. Thanks again.