April 10, 2023 04:34 PM UTC

What you can do to fight for progress this week (April 10)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

As you’ve probably read in the news by now, there’s an important bill making its way through the Colorado legislature to increase the supply of affordable housing across the state.

The reality is that Colorado isn’t keeping up with the demand for new housing. The shortage of housing is hurting everyone, and if we don’t address the problem it could seriously hurt Colorado’s economy. Experts say Colorado needs to build over 36,000 more housing units per year to meet demand than we are today–almost double the current rate.

The solution? Freeing up land use to allow for denser housing, multiplexes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the state’s larger cities. By removing restrictions on innovative housing development, we can change the equation that too often locks young families and first-time buyers out of the market while providing new options for cash-strapped renters.

Action item #1 this week: contact your Colorado lawmakers and urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 23-213 to reform residential land use and promote affordable housing.

Next, take action to provide renters with basic rights in the eviction process. House Bill 23-1171, Just Cause For Evictions, requires landlords to have reasonable grounds for eviction of tenants with specific rights and limitations, and helps encourage fair resolutions between tenants and landlords via “no-fault” evictions. This bill has already passed the Colorado House and is awaiting action in the Colorado Senate.

Contact your Colorado Senator today and urge them to VOTE YES on House Bill 23-1171, Just Cause For Evictions.

Thanks for your help as we work to close out the 2023 legislative session strong! Here are a few more ways to fight for progress for the week of April 10, 2023:

Great Education Colorado Advocates Network Meeting

Join Great Education Colorado (GEC) and other passionate advocates like yourself for our monthly Advocates Network meetings on Zoom! GEC will meet every second Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm to hear from you and share opportunities where you can take action as an advocate for adequate and equitable funding for Colorado’s K12 public schools! In each meeting, we will listen to different perspectives, learn about current issues in school funding, and activate our leadership by taking action together.

When: Tuesday, April 11 at 4:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

CoPIRG: Rally for Ratepayer Relief

Tired of opening up your energy bill and getting hit with skyrocketing costs again? The spike is driven by gas prices – but utilities are continuing to invest in expensive new gas infrastructure all the while knowing it’s causing our families’ bills to be a mile high! Join us at the Capitol for a rally to tell state lawmakers to take action and end the outrageous bills! No Coloradan should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table, it’s time for utilities to invest in cleaner, cheaper energy and lower ratepayers’ bills. Fortunately a special committee has been meeting to find solutions, now we need to show up and make our voices heard to ensure they act.

When: Wednesday, April 12 at 12:00pm
Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

History Colorado: Can Multicultural Democracies Survive?

Democratic government has been an ideal for many nations – at least in theory. But the opening decades of the twentieth century have witnessed some of the fundamental principles of democratic values being tested as significant social change is met by strong opposition. In many increasingly polarized advanced democracies, debates about the responsibilities of government to its citizens, the limits of individual freedom and rights, and the role of history in national identity narratives abound. Nations that were regarded as successful examples of liberal democracies with strong social safety nets have become more factionalized as their populations become more diverse. Can multicultural democracies overcome these challenges to be just, viable and sustainable?

When: Wednesday, April 12 at 7:00pm
Where: Chautauqua Community House, Boulder

Click here to RSVP.

Saved By The Bell: A Progressive Social Hour Hosted by The Bell Policy Center

Come by the Health Capitol collaboration rooms Thursday April 13 at 4:30 p.m. and grab a beverage and a snack, and play some trivia before you call it a day. This isn’t a fundraiser or a wonky slide show — it’s a social hour with a little nerdy trivia thrown in because, well, we can’t help it.

When: Thursday, April 13 at 4:30pm
Where: Colorado’s Health Capitol, 303 E 17th Ave, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Building a Culture of Inclusion: Virtual Workshop

The Racial Justice Task Force and the Social Justice Council are excited to announce a virtual workshop that will greatly help our congregation as we implement our 8th Principle. Our presenter is Paula Cole Jones who, along with Bruce Pollack Johnson, conceived of and wrote the 8th Principle. In addition, Paula Cole Jones is the founder of ADORE (A Dialogue on Race & Ethnicity), a former president of DRUUMM (Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries) and an independent consultant specializing in multicultural competencies and institutional change.

When: April 14-15

Click here to RSVP.

Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender Event

Bring your UNWANTED, unloaded firearms to be dismantled on Saturday, April 15th from 10am-noon. As a thank you for your choice to dismantle your firearm(s), you will receive a grocery store gift card, while supplies last.

When: Saturday, April 15 at 10:00am
Where: Most Precious Blood Catholic Church Denver, 3959 E Iliff Ave., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Save the date: Faith in Action Denver: Mayoral Candidate Forum

Join us for a non-partisan forum between the two Denver mayoral candidates who make it to the June 2023 runoff election. Hear community leaders from across the state ask each candidate about their vision for Denver and their stance on our human dignity agenda. All are welcome! Spanish/English interpretation will be provided.

When: Thursday, April 27 at 6:00pm
Where: Congregation Rodef Shalom, 450 AS Kearney St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

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