January 28, 2019 03:33 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (January 28)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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Let’s start with an update on happenings at the Colorado Capitol! As you can see, there’s a lot going on.

This week, the Colorado legislature is getting down to business. We’ve got several important pieces of legislation up for debate in committees in the House and Senate, and this is your chance to make your voice heard on policy issues directly relevant to our daily lives. There are good bills that need to be passed and terrible, backward pieces of legislation that need to not just be killed, but the story told so Colorado voters understand what’s at stake in every election.

Here are a few important pieces of legislation up for debate this week at the state capitol in Denver. For more information on testifying for or against any of these bills, contact Jumoke Emery, ProgressNow Colorado Director of Campaigns at jumoke@progressnowcolorado.org.

Tuesday, January 29

STOP a terrible tax giveaway bill in the Senate Finance Committee at 2:00PM in SCR 357. Senate Bill 19-055 would cut the state’s income tax and force painful cuts in already strapped programs to make up the difference.

SUPPORT legislation to “ban the box” in the House Judiciary Committee at 1:30PM in HCR-0112. It’s time to give those who have made mistakes and paid their debt to society a fair shot at a productive future, and that’s what House Bill 19-1025 will do.

Thursday, January 31

SUPPORT a bill to protect medical patients from garnishment of their pay over medical debts in the House Finance Committee in LSB-A upon adjournment (late morning). House Bill 19-1089 was written to provide relief to patients laden with massive debts over health procedures–often debts insured patients had no idea they would incur. Medical debt is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in America today, and it shouldn’t be that way.

In the same hearing, help us STOP a bad bill on family leave. House Bill 19-1058 would do almost nothing to help workers who need paid leave to address critical responsibilities at home. Workers need a plan they can count on, not a gimmick that their employers can already provide if they want to. Coloradans need a comprehensive paid family leave program that doesn’t leave anyone behind–and it’s coming later this year. Don’t be fooled in the meantime.

Thanks for your help! Here are more great ways to take action for the week of January 28:

Stand Up, Speak Out for $15

Thousands of Denver workers make only $11.10/hr, the CO state minimum. They’re struggling to pay their rent and support their kids. Denver can do better. Show to Denver’s elected leaders the broad & enthusiastic support for $15. Opportunity to provide public comment to Denver City Council.

Where: City and County of Denver, 1437 Bannock St, Denver
When: Monday, January 28 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

WET: A DACAmented Journey

The University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work hosts actor and activist Alex Alpharaoh in his solo performance of WET: A DACAmented Journey, as the second event in the 2018-2019 Catalyst Series for Social Justice.

Where: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr, Denver
When: Monday, January 28 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

City Council Meeting on Strengthening Police Oversight

Join Showing Up for Racial Justice – SURJ Denver, Indivisible Denver, Together Colorado, NAACP Denver Branch, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, Colorado Working Families, and many more in the coalition of organizations calling on Denver City Council members to pass legislation that would update the 14-year-old ordinance that established the Office of the Independent Monitor and the Citizen Oversight Board, thereby strengthening police oversight mechanisms to ensure that law enforcement officers that harm our community members are held accountable.

Where: City and County of Denver, 1437 Bannock St, Room 391, Denver
When: Wednesday, January 30 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Denver Classroom Teachers Association: Strong Rally and March

We will meet on the west steps of the Capitol to demand fair pay for educators! March to central administration begins at 5. Wear your red for ed and your signs! It’s a great idea to carpool or take public transport, if possible. See you there!

Where: Colorado State Capitol, 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Wednesday, January 30 at 4:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

The Right to Rest Film Screening

“The Right to Rest,” a new Denver-focused documentary, is a tribute to the people experiencing homelessness and their supporters who together built a community of tiny homes as an alternative to shelters and a step toward permanent housing. Free event! Come enjoy a meal and community together.

Where: Metro Caring, 1100 E 18th Ave, Denver
When: Thursday, January 31 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

DJPC Forum: The Long Honduran Night.

This powerful narrative recounts the dramatic years in Honduras following the June 2009 military coup that deposed President Manuel Zelaya, told in part through first-person experiences, extensively researched to reveal the underlying dynamics of repression and resistance in this beleaguered country.

Where: AFSC & Coloradans For Immigrant Rights, 1420 Ogden Street, Suite 201, Denver
When: Thursday, January 31 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Red for Ed Signmaking Party

Feeling #RedforEd? Want to support Denver teachers who are ready to strike? Then join other friends of labor this Thursday! We’ll be making signs and buttons to bring to rallies and the picket line. Please bring your own materials.

Where: Justice for All Center, 2525 W Alameda Ave, Denver
When: Thursday, January 31 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

A Town Hall Conversation with Rep. DeGette and Indivisible

Join us for a community conversation about the issues that matter most.

Where: 875 Elati St, Denver
When: Thursday, January 31 at 7:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

2019 Southern Colorado GSA Leadership Summit

At the 2019 Southern Colorado Gay-Straight Alliance Leadership Summit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and their allies, will come together to learn actionable skills to be a force for change in their community. Attendees will have the chance to gain know-how on how to take the work of their GSAs and other support organizations to the next level. Change starts with you: are you ready to create it?

Where: UCCS, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs
When: Saturday, February 2 at 9:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Right to Housing Summit – Remain, Reclaim, Resist

Because everyone should have a right to housing and survival. Because we, the people of Denver, need to fight for this together. The purpose of this event is to educate, ignite, and organize the people of Denver around the fight for the right to housing and survival. It is to present active 2019 initiatives and work for attainable housing and human rights lead by communities in Denver metro to current and future elected officials, and to Denver voters to effect real change.

Where: RedLine Denver, 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver
When: Saturday, February 2 at 1:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado: The Southern Colorado Ally Awards

Join us on Saturday, February 2nd for One Colorado’s 3rd Annual Southern Colorado Ally Awards! We’ll be honoring two incredible allies in the community and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Where: The Mining Exchange, 8 S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs
When: Saturday, February 2 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Thanks again for everything you do week after week. We’ll see you next Monday with more ways to fight back!