February 2025
Editor Jennifer Bales
jbales@me.com
| Co-Presidents Susan Saunders and Peggy Leech | | By Peggy Leech and Susan Saunders | It has been difficult to keep up with the onslaught of news in the past few weeks. We, as LWVBC’s co-presidents, would like to suggest that everyone dedicate themselves to the cause of your choice, and resist acting hopeless. Participation in this month’s program discussions is one way to regain a sense of purpose and community, and of course there are many more ways to participate in our democracy.
Remember, the League “envisions a democracy in which every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate”. Note that “every person” includes everyone and is not limited to voters.
From LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart (excerpt):
| Now is the time to lead with compassion, move in partnership, and stand in solidarity with those most directly impacted by the extreme and harmful actions taken this week. As our democracy continues to be tested, the League of Women Voters will remain steadfast in our fight to empower voters and defend democracy for all people. | | From LWVCO Executive Director Beth Hendrix (excerpt): | We, as League members, stand on the shoulders of suffragists – fighters. It’s time we again emulate the spirit of those brave suffragists while strongly embracing our growth in inclusion since then. We don’t just fight for some women, as in our history – we fight for all people, because all people contribute to our democracy and deserve an equal voice. We’re not going back. | | We can all find inspiration in these words from the League of Women Voters organization. | |
By Susan Curtis
Membership count: 203 | | | Welcome to these new members who joined in December 2024 and January 2025: Margaret Bush, student member; Laurie Albright; Barbara Holtaus; Madelyn Klatt; Karen Seashore; Tammy Eversole; and Aleris Charleman.
Student Scholarship Applications Open
Once again, LWVBC is offering a $500 scholarship to an active LWVBC student members. All student members were individually contacted by email by Susan Curtis, Membership Director, on January 19, regarding the scholarship. The criteria for selection and the application were attached to the email invitation to apply. The deadline for submitting the application to membershipdirector@lwvbc.org is April 1, 2025. The scholarship will be awarded at the Annual Meeting May 31. For questions regarding the scholarship and application process, contact membershipdirector@lwvbc.org.
Merit Awards
Each year at our Annual Meeting, LWVBC honors outstanding members for their contributions to the League. In addition, a Community Partner is honored for their support and partnership with LWVBC. The merit award categories with definitions are: |
- LWVBC Community Partner of the year—Boulder County corporation, organization or individual who advances LWVBC goals. and is a true partner to LWVBC. The Community Partner award may be given to a non-league member.
- LWVBC Member of the year—In recognition of outstanding service to LWVBC
- LWVBC Team Leader of the year—Issue or operations leader in recognition of outstanding service to LWVBC
- LWVBC Team Member of the year—Issue or operations team member in recognition of outstanding contributions to a LWVBC team
- LWVBC Emerging Leader of the year—A member who has been with the League less than three years who steps up to an important leadership role in LWVBC
| Use the following link to nominate those members and community partners you believe we should recognize for their contributions to LWVBC. You may nominate as many members and partners as you wish. There is no limit on nominations. The deadline to submit nominations is March 31, 2025. Awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting May 31.
2025 Merit Awards form
Doing Democracy Day
Doing Democracy Day is Thursday, March 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Longmont Museum. Students from all the St. Vrain Valley School District high schools will participate. The topics the students will be exploring are Cell Phone Bans, Affordable Housing and Homelessness, Social Media and Mental Health, Red Light Cameras, $20 Minimum Wage for St. Vrain Communities; 16 and 17-year-olds Voting in School Board Elections, Local History, and the 250/150 Celebrations in 2026. Once again, LWVBC will be a sponsor of the event. There will be volunteer opportunities for our members as resources to students, judges of presentations and staffing our membership table.
| On Sunday, January 12th LWVBC hosted five state legislators representing Boulder County at the Louisville Senior & Recreation Center. If you missed it, a recording is available on the LWVBC YouTube channel.
State Representatives Brown, Joseph, and Smith along with State Senators Amabile and Marchman spoke about their priorities for the 2025 legislative session and then took questions from the audience covering a wide-array of topics from wildfire mitigation efforts, the Rocky Mountain Airport, immigration, involving younger generations in civic life, childcare and more.
At right, L to R: Rep. Smith, Senator Amabile, Rep. Brown, Rep. Joseph and Senator Marchman | | | Program Planning -- Local Study Updates & Proposed Religious Freedom Position
| | Program Planning -- Local Study Updates & Proposed Religious Freedom Position
| | Get updates on three studies, weigh-in on the proposed Religious Freedom position for LWVCO, and participate in our annual review of LWVBC positions. | Immigrants' Rights Events
| Interested in learning how to be helpful in supporting immigrant rights? Please plan to attend one of the following virtual events (open to the public) put on by our neighboring leagues:
"Our Immigrant Community & How to Be An Ally"
Hosted by the LWV Larimer County Civil Liberties & Rights Team
Monday, February 10, 2025 - 7-8:30pm
Register for this virtual event | Presentation on Immigrant Rights
Hosted by the LWVGreeley-Weld County
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - 6:30-7:30pm
Register for this virtual event | How Do You Get Your Local News and Information? | | By Debby Vink and Holly Monkman | In the League of Women Voters we believe in an informed electorate. It's not enough to vote, though that is so important. We want the electorate to cast well-informed votes. We want them to have a good understanding of what their vote supports or opposes. Would it help our Boulder County voters to have a descriptive list of local news and information sources, one that could be available on our LWVBC website? Such a list could indicate the purpose of the news source, how it is accessed, who provides it, who pays for it and the cost to access it, if any payment is necessary.
As types of information sources have proliferated, it has become harder to know what the sources are and which ones can help us understand what is happening and in what way. Creating such a list of sources will involve research, analysis and editing skills which many of you possess. Are you interested to lead or be a part of a LWVBC ad hoc team to create an informed list of news and information sources for Boulder County? If yes, please contact Holly Monkman at advocacy@lwvbc.org or Debby Vink at debvink@gmail.com. They will help set up an initial meeting, assist with defining the mission of the team and proposing the idea to the LWVBC Board of Directors for approval. Your responses will determine if this idea can become a reality. | Longmont, Boulder (City) and Boulder County
Considering Proportional Representation for City Council and County Commissioners | Proportional representation is being discussed for Longmont City Council, Boulder City Council and the Boulder County Commissioners. Here’s how you can be involved:
• Attend Longmont discussions on Feb 4, 6:30pm or Feb 8, 1pm
• Sign an LWVBC petition asking the Boulder City Council to hold a study session on proportional representation
• Contact legislators and county commissioners about a bill changing the way we elect county commissioners
Read more details here
| Upcoming LWVUS Judiciary Study | Keep your eyes open for updates on the LWVUS Judiciary Study. At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to proceed with a study on the federal judiciary. The study will be completed on a fast-track timeline in time for a position to be announced at the LWVUS 2025 Council in June 2025.
The scope of the study is to develop a LWV position on the Federal Judiciary as an essential component of US democracy. The study's purpose includes, but is not limited to, addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability, transparency, independence, and ethics. The study addresses the Supreme Court as well as the other Article III federal courts.
The study guide is available now and consensus meetings will be held in March up thru April 14th. Download Here. *** Linda Mahan of the Larimer League is chairing a committee to assemble materials and resources on how the system works within Colorado. If you'd like more information or are willing to share your expertise, please email Linda Mahan at lmahan78@gmail.com directly. | Counted Out - Math is Power
| Consensus Meetings for the LWVCO Religious Freedom Position
| | On Wednesday, January 22nd at Frasier Meadows, Jeffrey Oster, Chair of the LWVCO Religious Freedom study, presented the group’s proposed religious freedom position. “Our study group views the recent rise of conservative politics in conjunction with religious nationalism as a potential threat to our First Amendment rights. We believe that any form of religious nationalism is an attack on every citizen of The United States. The recent expressions of authority by Christian nationalists concerns our study group in ways we will articulate in this study.” | | | Proposed Mission Statement
The First Amendment of the US Constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The League of Women Voters of Colorado believes that the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment are cornerstones of our democracy. We feel that these fundamental civil rights may be threatened by religious nationalism. The League Women Voters of Colorado stands for a democracy founded upon religious pluralism and individual conscience, free of social or political influence by any religious body. We believe in a government that steadfastly supports the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
If you missed it, contact Holly Monkman for access to the recording. You can also access the study & consensus questions by logging into your account on lwvcolorado.org and clicking on Members, then Studies & Concurrences.
Please join us as we continue the discussion & seek consensus at our upcoming Program Planning meetings.
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