The Democratic Dispatch
Howdy, Colorado Democrats!
Ballots drop on October 11th! We encourage everyone to mail back your ballot before October 28th or place your ballot in a dropbox near you before 7 pm on November 5th to ensure your vote is counted.
Our Voter Protection Hotline goes live this Friday, October 11th!
Hotline #: 720-600-7761
Voter Protection Email:
Have questions about voting rights? Are there long lines at polling places? Are you experiencing voter intimidation? Have you witnessed electioneering? We have experts available to answer your questions by phone or email! Both the hotline and email can receive questions/comments in English and Spanish.
Are you interested in getting more involved to GET OUT THE VOTE for our Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in this crucial election? The Colorado Democratic Party sends out a Weekly Volunteer Newsletter that has all of the volunteer opportunities from across the state. You can sign up for the newsletter on our website here.
Party Updates
We're excited to announce that we've awarded CO County Comeback grants to Clear Creek, Summit, Gilpin, Las Animas, Teller, Lincoln, and Larimer counties! This is an exciting opportunity to support even more counties -- especially places like Teller and Lincoln where we know we need to build long-term power against the extreme far-right pushing dangerous agendas for their communities. This critical funding program helps expand voter outreach efforts and digital/traditional advertising across the state, and is our first-ever dedicated program to winning county-level races.
Colorado Democrats Take Positions on 2024 Ballot Measures - Click here to read
URGENT: We are strongly recommending a NO vote on Proposition 131. Written by and for millionaires, this proposition transforms our election system in ways that stifle ideological diversity and open the floodgates to even more dark money in our system.
They’ve tested the system in Alaska, and the result has been fewer candidates running for office, 30% of their contests having single-party general elections, floods of dark money, and gamesmanship of ballot access, including pay-to-play style tactics from special interests.
Vote NO on Proposition 131.
JOIN US ON OCTOBER 19TH IN PUEBLO FOR DEMZEST
Are you ready for a autumn road trip? On October 19, the Colorado Democratic Party will be hosting the inaugural DemZest in Pueblo, Colorado! This event will be a celebration of our local candidates, elected officials, unions and advocacy groups, and the Colorado Democratic Party's GOTV efforts.
Following the fun and success of DemFest in Denver and DemWest in Palisade, the Colorado Democratic Party is taking the show on the road and bringing the Party to Pueblo. (PS: Check out the photo gallery from DemFest and Obama Gala HERE)
Our goal is to compete and win everywhere - and Pueblo is one of the key areas we must show up for, compete in, and ultimately win in November.
When: October 19th, 2024 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Brue's Alehouse, 120 E. Riverwalk Place
Tickets: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demzest
There is so much at stake this election, and Pueblo is critical to electing Vice President Kamala Harris, electing Adam Frisch to Congress, and ensuring all of our down-ballot Democrats are in a position to be successful.
We hope you all can join us for the celebration. Tickets are limited - so get yours today.
The Challengers:
Candidates running in tough-to-win districts often get less support than battleground districts, and that’s something we’re aiming to fix with our Challengers program.
The Colorado Democratic Party has adopted candidates running to flip red districts, providing them weekly support calls to hit their financial and field goals, staff assistance on fundraising and political initiatives, along with a how-to-run-for-office manual that can kick start competitive campaigns. These races too often go ignored, and we’re excited to be providing these talented and hardworking candidates full support from our Party.
The Horizon Project Updates
You decide what will happen this November. You can make the difference in the most competitive House race in the country. Let’s help Representative Yadira Caraveo, VP Kamala Harris, and Democrats up and down the ballot in Congressional District 8!
Your voice, personal story, and empathy can help shape the future by encouraging low propensity voters to commit to participating in the election. We hope you’ll seize this opportunity to get out and do something to make a positive impact.
The first step to becoming a deep canvasser is to attend an online training with our team. Sign up here to participate in our next training.
Content to Uplift
Watch the ad: “We’re glad that Gabe Evans could join us in reminding Coloradans just how much money and support Congresswoman Caraveo has delivered for her district,” said Shad Murib, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. “The Congresswoman has been a relentless advocate for saving people money on healthcare, investing in her district, and navigating the federal bureaucracy to get money back to her constituents by taking on the IRS and helping people get their Social Security benefits.”
@Politico: DeGette on her next steps
@TheWellNews: House Dems Revive Bills Aimed at Shoring Up Child Care System
@CPRNews: Trial starts Monday for Colorado lawsuit attempting to block Kroger-Albertsons merger
@SkyHighNews: Neguse unveils legislative package aimed at shoring up wildfire mitigation, research
@RepJasonCrow: Following Russia’s illegal invasion, Ukraine is now one of the world’s most landmine-contaminated countries. I’m leading a bipartisan letter with @RepDavidValadao and 38 of our colleagues to encourage the Biden administration to consider humanitarian demining in Ukrainian reconstruction and recovery efforts.
@KJCT8News: Sen. Michael Bennet proposes federal legislation to protect over 700,000 acres of Colorado Western Slope land
@MinesNewsroom: Senator Hickenlooper announces bipartisan legislation at the Mines Critical Minerals Symposium
Volunteer of the Month
We are thrilled to recognize Beth Kaminsky as our Volunteer of the Month! Beth has been an invaluable asset at the front desk, where she manages each phone call with warmth and professionalism. Her positive attitude makes her a joy to work with, and she consistently goes above and beyond to lend a helping hand. We would also like to extend a special thank you for her extra effort in organizing and distributing yard signs. We truly appreciate all that Beth does for our community!
Thank you to all of our volunteers, we appreciate every one of you! If you would like to nominate a volunteer to be Volunteer of the Month and be highlighted in an upcoming newsletter please fill out the nomination form here.
U.S. Senate Updates
VIDEO: HICKENLOOPER BILLS TO ADDRESS COLORADO RIVER, BOOST CONSERVATION GET COMMITTEE HEARING
September 11, 2024
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, advocated for three of his bills that would help address the Colorado River crisis and secure a more resilient water future during a Senate ENR Subcommittee on Water and Power hearing. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testified before the committee about the impact of the bills. Three other bills he cosponsored were also considered during the hearing.
September 13, 2024
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrated the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement of over $600,000 in federal grants for Colorado organizations providing suicide prevention programs and services for veterans and their families. Specifically, the VA awarded $477,458 to the Healing Warriors Program in the Eastern Plains and the Front Range and $165,171 to the Valley-Wide Health Systems in Southern Colorado.
HICKENLOOPER: ‘REPUBLICANS JUST VOTED AGAINST AMERICAN FAMILIES’
September 17, 2024
“Republicans just voted against American families. Our son Jack is 21 months old, a blessing of IVF, and 100,000 families experience
a similar blessing each year. MAGA Republicans are showing us exactly what their values are when it comes to the American family.”
U.S. House Updates
CONGRESSMAN CROW INTRODUCES THE OVERSEAS CRISIS ACT
September 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Afghanistan veteran and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability, introduced the Overseas Crisis Response Implementation System and Immediate Strategy Act (Overseas CRISIS Act) to consistently evaluate and improve the US response to emergency situations abroad. The legislation follows the US Department of State’s After Action Review on Afghanistan, which highlighted the critical need to strengthen the Department’s overall crisis preparedness and response capabilities, utilize Department personnel more effectively in a crisis, and bolster our existing infrastructure for crisis communications.
September 24, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) introduced two bipartisan, bicameral bills that would allow family caregivers to better save for retirement. These bills—the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act and the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act—would help address the financial challenges faced by individuals who leave the workforce to care for loved ones, often sacrificing their own long-term financial security. Companion bills were introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
REP. YADIRA CARAVEO AND SENATOR BENNET BRING TOGETHER BOTH PARTIES TO STAND UP FOR HISPANIC OWNERS
September 24, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08), the first Latina to represent Colorado, and Senator Michael Bennet, (D-CO) announced a bipartisan effort to stand up for
hispanic entrepreneurs. The Hispanic Restaurant Week Resolution celebrates the contributions of Hispanic restaurant owners and employees from September 22nd through October 3rd.
Colorado Senate Updates
JOINT RELEASE: BIPARTISAN BILL TO RESPONSIBLY REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES AND PROTECT COLORADO’S FUTURE SIGNED INTO LAW
September 4, 2024
DENVER, CO – Today Governor Jared Polis signed into law bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Chair of the Commission on Property Tax, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver, to responsibly reduce property taxes while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, libraries, water infrastructure, municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers.Using SB24-233 as the baseline, HB24B-1001reduces assessment rates and lowers revenue caps. Also sponsored by House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, and Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, the new law also preserves flexibility for school districts and local governments by allowing them to carry forward unused growth capacity into the next assessment cycle while shielding taxpayers from dramatic spikes in value growth.
JOINT RELEASE: COLORADO’S ECONOMY STRONG WITH TIGHTENING BUDGET CONDITIONS AHEAD
September 19, 2024
DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) today released the following statements after the Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the September quarterly economic forecasts.
“Years of strategic budgeting and governance have placed us on a steady course for the future,” said JBC Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Over the last few years, Democrats have built up the state’s reserve and delivered a balanced budget that reflects our shared values. Under our watch, our economy has grown, inflation is slowing and wages have increased. We’ve restored full funding to our public schools and preserved the crucial services Coloradans rely on, including access to health care for our most vulnerable. We have difficult budgeting decisions ahead, but I remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in our communities.”
JOINT RELEASE: WATER AND AGRICULTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILLS TO REMOVE MINING WASTE, PROTECT HABITATS, AND PLAN FOR FUTURE WATER PROJECTS
September 4, 2024
DENVER, CO — The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee today advanced bills to facilitate the removal of harmful mining waste, protect fish and wildlife habitats, and explore a sustainable funding plan for future water projects.
“Waste and runoff from mine tailings can have detrimental impacts on downstream waters,” said Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Arapahoe County), sponsor of Bill 4. “The bill we advanced today will promote the cleanup of pollution-causing tailings while expanding economic opportunities for the companies that do these cleanups. By making a simple change to permitting processes and entering Colorado into the Interstate Mining Compact, we can expedite mining reclamation and ensure our environment remains clean and safe for generations to come.”
Colorado House Updates
BACON AND RICKS APPOINTED TO BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY COMMISSION
September 6, 2024
Speaker Julie McCluskie, in consultation with the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado, has appointed Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon and Representative Naquetta Ricks to serve on the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission.
SPEAKER MCCLUSKIE DISCUSSES NEW SCHOOL FINANCE FORMULA, INCREASED FUNDING FOR RURAL DISTRICTS
September 20, 2024
FRISCO, CO – Speaker Julie McCluskie yesterday attended the Summit School District board meeting to discuss her legislative efforts to increase public school funding and drive more resources to mountain schools.
September 25, 2024
DENVER, CO – The Transportation Legislation Review Committee today advanced bills to improve air quality, make Colorado’s transit systems more accessible for people with disabilities, and help communities create long-term transit goals.
Upcoming Events
(if you have events you want featured in future Dem Dispatch newsletters, please send to
Colorado Democratic Party GOTV Canvass Launch with Yadira Caraveo and Special Guests!
Oct. 12th - Rio Grande County Democrats 4th Annual JFK Dinner
Join Sens. Bennet & Hickenlooper in support of the CO Senate!
Oct. 20th 11:00-12:30 - Cafe Ole: 3225 S Wadsworth Blvd L, Lakewood, CO 80227
Featured Merch
