As Democratic Voter Registration Grows in Colorado, New Poll Shows More Americans Identify As Democrats Nationwide As GOP Loses Voters
Voter registration data in Colorado shows Dems lead in total new registered voters since the 2020 election
Denver, CO -- As Democrats grow their advantage among registered voters in Colorado, a new Gallup poll shows that Democrats across the country now hold their largest advantage over Republicans in nearly a decade.
Thousands of Republican voters unaffiliated from the Colorado Republican Party after the coup attempt by Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. As Republican voter registration in Colorado has continued to plummet at an extraordinary rate, Democratic gains come as President Joe Biden, along with the leadership of Colorado Democrats like Senator Michael Bennet, has successfully passed policies like the American Rescue Plan and American Family Act, which are extremely popular with voters across the political spectrum.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Since 2018, when Colorado Democrats won historic victories up and down the ticket, Colorado voters have seen the positive results of what happens when Democrats are elected. Under Democratic leadership with Governor Polis and our Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, we have passed policies to support small business, increase access to affordable housing, reform our criminal justice system, fight the influence of dark money, protect our public lands and natural environment, and fund our classrooms.
“At the federal level, Joe Biden and Democrats are getting the job done and have reminded American voters what competence in government looks like after four years of incompetence and corruption with Republicans in charge. With all that in mind, it’s no surprise to me that more and more people are affiliating with the Democratic Party, and less and less people are affiliating with the Republican Party.
“But, we refuse to take anything for granted. While this poll is welcome news, we at the Colorado Democratic Party will continue the work to earn every vote. While the Colorado Republican Party has failed to learn any lessons from their losses by continuing to promote fringe conspiracies and elect candidates who value self-promotion over servant leadership, we will keep engaging with and listening to communities all across our state. Just like we did in 2018 and 2020, we will continue to organize at the grassroots level, keep the public informed of how Democrats are fighting for them, and how -- unlike the Republican Party -- the Democratic Party is the big-tent party of working people, big ideas, and building a better future for all.
USA Today: Gallup poll shows largest increase in Democratic Party affiliation in a decade
By Chelsey Cox
More Americans identify as Democrats than Republicans by a margin that hasn't been seen in a decade, according to a report released by Gallup on Wednesday.
An average of 49% of adults age 18 and older reported Democratic Party affiliation or said they are independent with Democratic leanings throughout the first quarter of 2021, the pollster reported. The survey was conducted by phone from January-March.
In comparison, 40% of adults identified as Republican or Republican-leaning. The 9% difference is the Democrats' largest advantage since the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the report.
...Democrats have typically held a 4 to 6 point advantage over Republicans. Shortly before the first quarter of the year, the gap in affiliation was virtually nonexistent before Democrats' advantage widened by 9%.
...The rise correlates with the decline in Republican Party identification, just as in 2013, when the GOP saw a drop in the popularity during the government shutdown over the Affordable Care Act.
...The passing of the COVID-19 relief package in March, a decline in new infections and deaths from the coronavirus and the push for mass vaccinations preceded a rise in affinity for the Democratic Party, according to Gallup.
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DNC CHAIR HARRISON AND SENATOR WARREN TO SPEAK AT COLORADO DEMS’ ANNUAL GALA
Denver, CO - DNC Chair Jaimie Harrison and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will speak at the Colorado Democratic Party’s 4th Annual Obama Gala (scheduled for Saturday, April 24 @ 5:00PM MT).
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“With less than a month to go until the 2021 Obama Gala, I am so excited to welcome Chair Harrison and Senator Warren as the newest exciting additions to our star-studded speaker line-up! Democrats have a lot of accomplishments to be proud of, and I am thrilled with our incredible group of guests joining us to rally us to action for the future.”
As the son of a single teenage mom, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison was raised by his grandparents in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Jaime knows what it’s like for a family to have to choose between paying the electric bill and putting food on the table, and what it feels like to go to sleep in a home with no heat, because the power was shut off. But thanks to a good public school education, the love of his family, and the support of his community, Jaime was able to earn a scholarship to Yale University and attend Georgetown Law.
After college, Jaime came back home to Orangeburg to teach at his old high school, then worked to help empower disadvantaged kids to attend college. Jaime also served as an aide to legendary South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. In 2013, Jaime was elected the first African American chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, a position he held until 2017, when he was appointed by DNC Chair Tom Perez as an Associate Chair of the DNC. In 2020, Jaime ran for the U.S. Senate from South Carolina, building a national grassroots movement and setting a fundraising record for the most raised by a Senate candidate. Jaime and his wife Marie live in Columbia, South Carolina, where they raise their two young sons.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a fearless consumer advocate who has made her life's work the fight for middle class families, was re-elected to the United States Senate for a second term on November 6, 2018, by the people of Massachusetts. She is widely credited for the original thinking, political courage, and relentless persistence that led to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which she helped stand up and has successfully protected millions of consumers from financial tricks and traps often hidden in mortgages, credit cards, and other financial products. Elizabeth is one of the nation’s leading progressive voices, fighting for big structural change that would transform our economy and rebuild the middle class.
Colorado Democrats Statement on Boulder Shooting
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement reacting to the tragedy in Boulder yesterday, when ten Coloradans lost their lives in another senseless act of gun violence:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Our hearts are heavy with mourning for the ten Colorado families that will have empty seats at their table from yet another senseless act of gun violence. We’re thankful to local law enforcement for preventing more lost lives, and we’re especially thankful to officer Eric Talley, who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his community. We at Colorado Democratic Party grieve with and stand in solidarity with the community of Boulder during this time of loss and mourning.”
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TWO MORE YEARS! Colorado Dems Unanimously Re-elect Carroll as State Chair for Third Term
Photo Credit: Ernest Luning, Colorado Politics
Denver, CO - On the heels of Democrats’ record-breaking victories in 2020, the Colorado Democratic Party’s state central committee voted today by acclamation to re-elect Morgan Carroll as state party chair for a third term.
A former Colorado senate president, candidate for Congress, and attorney, Morgan has overseen the Colorado Democratic Party as chair since her first election in 2017. Over her two terms, Colorado Democrats have seen a number of victories, including:
- Defeating Senator Cory Gardner and Congressman Mike Coffman, and electing Democrats John Hickenlooper and Jason Crow to those seats.
- Winning the majority in the Colorado Senate in 2018, and growing that majority to 20 members in 2020.
- Growing the Colorado House Democratic majority to 41 seats, flipping multiple seats from red to blue.
- Winning a Democratic majority on the CU Board of Regents for the first time in nearly 40 years.
- Defeat 100% of Colorado Republicans’ 2019 sham recall attempts.
- Smashing voter turnout records for the State of Colorado and across the U.S.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“I am so honored and humbled to be trusted by my fellow Democrats to continue to lead our state party going into the critical 2022 midterm elections. Our Democratic victories across Colorado didn’t happen by accident or overnight. It took years of hard work and organizing to lay the groundwork of registering voters and Together, working with grassroots activists and community leaders in every county and all four corners of Colorado, we worked to elect honorable and qualified leaders to every office possible who put in the work to build a better future for all Coloradans. We don’t take any vote, nor any seat for granted, and the results of 2018 and 2020 speak for themselves.
“While I am so proud of all the amazing accomplishments of our Colorado Democrats both in Washington, DC and across Colorado who have delivered for working families, there is a lot more work to do. I am fired up to ensure that Republicans won’t take us backwards, that we re-elect all of our Democrats in Congress and here in Colorado, and that we continue to build a big tent Democratic Party that will continue to organize and win into the future.”
Carroll was re-elected to her position by a unanimous vote of acclamation. The results of the elections for the other CDP officers will be announced in the evening of Monday, March 22 after members of the central committee vote by electronic ballot. In addition to the existing positions of 1st and 2nd Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice Chair of Rural Outreach, 2 Vice Chairs of Outreach, and Vice Chair of Communications, the CDP has added a 3rd position of Vice Chair of Outreach and an Assistant Secretary position.
The candidates running are:
- Howard Chou* - 1st Vice Chair
- Sandy Baca-Sandoval* - 2nd Vice Chair
- Rosanna Reyes* - Treasurer
- Bob Seay* & Scott Sloan - Secretary
- Josh Trupin - Assistant Secretary
- Jeremy VanHooser* - Vice Chair of Outreach (1)
- Xochitl Gaytan* - Vice Chair of Outreach (2)
- Lisa Neal Graves - Vice Chair of Outreach (3)
- Sheila Canfield Jones* - Vice Chair of Rural Outreach
- Patricia Barela Rivera* - Vice Chair of Communications
*Denotes incumbents running for re-election.
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Colorado Democrats Statement on AAPI Hate
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements condemning the Atlanta shooting and racially motivated hate and violence towards Asian American and Pacific Islander people that has risen over the past year:
Howard Chou, 1st Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party and Co-Founder/Chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Initiative of Colorado Democrats:
“Violence is rooted in hate. Hate is rooted in racism, xenophobia and ignorance. In a time where all my Asian brothers and sisters are already experiencing violence and hatred, and in a time when I am protecting my kids and teaching them of this racism, we are now witnessing what happens when that racism, xenophobia and ignorance goes unchecked. My heart is heavy with all the loss and I am fearful of what may continue to happen. Our communities must come together and stand against the racist hate.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, and Colorado’s DNC members Radhika Nath, Joe Salazar, and Jeri Shepherd:
“Today, and every day, we stand in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims in the shooting in Atlanta, and we mourn their loss with them. Even one hate crime is one too many, and we are profoundly disturbed by the reports that this horrific act of hate and violence was motivated by racial and gender prejudices held by the individual.
“Here in Colorado and across our country, we've seen too many politicians using racist and xenophobic rhetoric to describe COVID like ‘China virus’ or ‘kung flu’. It is no coincidence that as racist terms have been used, violent crimes targeting AAPI people have gone up. This has to stop -- enough is enough.”
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 18, 2021 @ 6:00PM MT, local leaders will hold a virtual discussion on addressing AAPI hate crimes, and how Coloradans can come together to find solutions for education, prevention, and support. Those interested in attending can register by clicking here.or going to http://tiny.cc/AATownHall.
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HELP IS HERE. President Biden Signs American Rescue Plan into Law.
ARP includes Senator Michael Bennet’s Bill to Cut Childhood Poverty in Half
Denver, CO - This afternoon, after the Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate passed it without any Republican votes -- despite its broad support from Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated -- President Biden signed the highly popular American Rescue Plan into law.
“Democrats delivered for the American people -- plain and simple. This groundbreaking legislation will put money in pockets, get people back to work, help get our kids back to school, support our small businesses, and -- thanks to Senator Michael Bennet’s American Family Act -- cut childhood poverty in half. The fact that zero Republicans voted for this bill to help the people struggling is pathetic,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
The American Rescue Plan includes:
- $1,400 Stimulus Checks
- Extended Unemployment Benefits of $300 per week
- $7.5 billion for COVID vaccines
- An expanded child tax credit, increasing the amount to $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17 and $3,600 for children under age 6
- $7.25 billion in new money for the Paycheck Protection Program
- $25 billion for emergency rental assistance
- $30 billion that includes support for transit employees
- $4.5 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; and
- $170 billion in dedicated funding for public schools to be able to reopen safely.
As stated previously, this stands in stark contrast to 2017, when the first piece of legislation that passed out of the Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House was a “drunken tax giveaway”, as the Denver Post editorial dubbed it.
“More work needs to be done to build our country back better and stronger, and it’s not going to happen overnight. But with the work of Democrats at the federal level to pass the American Rescue Plan, and the work of the Colorado legislature to pass the Colorado Stimulus, Coloradans should be pleased that they’re seeing all of government working by the people, for the people, for the first time in a long time,” Carroll continued.
“The only question I have for Republicans in Washington, DC like Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn is this -- if they’re not in Congress to help their constituents during times of health and economic crises, like we’re facing now, then what the hell are they doing there?” Carroll concluded.
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ALMOST THERE. Colorado Dems in U.S. Senate Secure COVID Relief
Photo Credit: Liz Weber, Durango Herald
The American Rescue Plan includes Senator Michael Bennet’s American Family Act to Cut Childhood Poverty Nearly in Half
Denver, CO - Minutes ago, after hours of Republican obstruction to derail it, the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate passed the first major piece of legislation of the Biden Presidency -- the highly popular American Rescue Plan.
The COVID-relief legislative package not only includes $1,400 checks and unemployment insurance benefits, but it also includes Senator Michael Bennet’s American Family Act -- ambitious policy that, estimates show, would lift millions of American children out of poverty.
This stands in stark contrast to 2017, when the first major piece of legislation that passed out of the Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House was a “drunken tax giveaway”, as the Denver Post editorial dubbed it.
“Democrats promised that they would deliver COVID-relief and put working families first with their legislative priorities if voters elected them, and that’s exactly what they accomplished with passing the American Rescue Plan out of the Senate,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
“While much more work needs to be done to build our country back better and stronger, this sweeping legislation is a major step in showing the American people that they haven’t been left behind in this pandemic. Additionally, thanks to Senator Michael Bennet’s leadership, this legislation will not only give immediate relief to families in the form of $1,400 checks and unemployment insurance, but it will cut childhood poverty by nearly half. To quote President Biden, that’s a BFD.
“Republicans in Congress have fought this measure tooth and nail, and unfortunately for them, it’s shown Coloradans and voters across the country that they have no interest in helping struggling families. Thanks to the hard work of Colorado Democrats in Congress, and their colleagues in the Democratic majorities, the hardest hit among us will begin seeing relief quickly as we move forward together to crush the virus and get our economy back on track,” Carroll concluded.
Specifically, the American Family Act would:
- Increase the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per year to $3,000 per year per child under 17, and $3,600 per year for children under the age of 6.
- Make the Child Tax Credit fully refundable to ensure lower income families receive the full credit per child.
- Pay families in advance, on a monthly basis.
- Index the Child Tax Credit for inflation going forward.
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Colorado Dems Praise House Passage of For the People Act (HR1)
“It’s Past Time for Other States to Reach the Colorado Standard”
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement applauding the U.S. House’s passage of the For the People Act -- legislation geared at protecting Americans’ constitutional right to vote and our elections from foreign interference. HR1 also includes Congressman Jason Crow’s End Dark Money Act.
“Colorado is a nation-leading example on how to protect voting rights and secure our elections, and it’s past time for other states to reach the Colorado standard,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
“The For the People Act will not only protect the constitutional right to vote that is under assault by Republicans in state legislatures, but it will ensure our elections remain free from foreign interference. Additionally, thanks in large part to Congressman Crow, it will shine a light on dark money attempting to influence elections.
“This is a commonsense piece of legislation that will ensure every eligible voter in America enjoys the secure and convenient access to the ballot box we are fortunate to have here in Colorado. Given the number of bills we have seen from Republican state legislators that would suppress voter turnout and put frivolous restrictions on voting rights, the Senate should take up this landmark bill as soon as possible so President Biden can sign it into law,” Carroll concluded.
Colorado’s four Democratic House members are all co-sponsors of the For the People Act. Colorado’s three Republican members of the House voted against the bill, citing misleading information that is debunked here.
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Colorado Democrats Applaud House Passage of the Equality Act
Photo Credit: The Denver Post
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement applauding the House’s passage of the Equality Act -- legislation that would codify civil rights protections for people to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“No person should ever feel unsafe, be fired from their job, or denied goods and services simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Here in Colorado, we went from the hate state to the great state by passing comprehensive legislation to ensure LGBTQ Coloradans’ civil rights are protected like everyone else, and it is past time for the federal government to catch up,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
“I am so proud of our Colorado Democrats in the U.S. House who passed the Equality Act today, and I look forward to the Democratic-led U.S. Senate to passing it as well so President Biden can sign it into law. It’s time,” Carroll concluded.
Colorado’s four Democratic U.S. House members are all co-sponsors of the Equality Act.
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BOOKER, HASSAN TO SPEAK AT COLORADO DEMS’ ANNUAL GALA
Denver, CO - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (NJ) and Maggie Hassan (NH) will speak at the Colorado Democratic Party’s 4th Annual Obama Gala (scheduled for Saturday, April 24 @ 5:00PM MT). They will join their Senate colleagues Jon Ossoff (GA) and Alex Padilla (CA) as members of the so-far announced line-up of speakers for the Obama Gala.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“I’m so pleased to welcome Senators Booker and Hassan as speakers at our Annual Obama Gala. Both senators have been so supportive of our efforts to turn Colorado blue over the years, and they are welcome additions to our speaker line-up for our annual fundraiser as we celebrate our 2020 victories.”
Senator Booker attended Stanford University on a football scholarship and helped fellow students by working as a peer crisis counselor. Instead of pursuing a lucrative career after leaving Yale, Cory moved into Newark’s Central Ward, and eventually into a public housing project, where he lived for eight years. In 2006, he was elected mayor with 72 percent of the vote. A United States Senator since 2013, Cory has written and championed dozens of bills aimed at fixing our broken criminal justice system, expanding economic opportunity, and fighting for equal justice for everyone.
In 2016, Senator Maggie Hassan was elected to represent New Hampshire in the United States Senate, winning one of the most competitive Senate races in the country by 1,017 votes. She is only the second woman in American history to be elected as both Governor and Senator. During her first four years in the Senate, Senator Hassan introduced more than 50 bipartisan bills on everything from tax cuts for innovators to clean energy to supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life -- a number of which became law.
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HELP IS ON THE WAY: Dems Complete Critical First Step in Passing COVID Relief
Days After Hanging with Rich Donors, Boebert says “No” to COVID Relief for CD3
Denver, CO - President Biden pledged from “Day One” that he would work towards passing COVID relief for families, and today, the passage of the American Rescue Plan took a big step forward with the House Budget Committee voting to pass it on party-lines. The House is expected to take up the bill this Friday.
Among the “No” votes was Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Just a day and a half after hanging out with rich donors in Palm Beach, FL on Saturday for a high-dollar fundraiser for Utah U.S. Senator Mike Lee, Congresswoman Boebert made one of her most consequential votes so far in her short career. In the House Budget Committee today, Congresswoman Boebert voted “No” on a Dem-led COVID relief package that includes $1,400 stimulus checks, support for small businesses, and scale up COVID-testing and vaccination.
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson David Pourshoushtari:
“Thank goodness Democrats are in the majority. Today’s vote to send the American Rescue Plan to the floor of the House means that $1,400 stimulus checks, support for childcare, and extended unemployment insurance are on the way to Colorado families.
“Yet, Congresswoman Boebert voted ‘No’ on sending this badly needed relief for families in her district. CD3 families should take heart though, because apparently if they are willing to write $5,800 checks in Palm Beach, Congresswoman Boebert would then decide they’re worth her time and energy.”
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Want to see your Congresswoman? That’ll be $10K for You and a Guest!
Rep. Lauren Boebert Ditches Constituents, Will Headline High-Dollar Fundraiser in Palm Beach Tonight
Denver, CO - Late Friday night, Politico’s Marc Caputo tweeted an image of an invitation to a $10,600/couple fundraiser tonight for Utah U.S. Senator Mike Lee at Mar-a-Lago. Among the headliners is Colorado’s own Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
Since Congresswoman Boebert was sworn into office, her activity has been long on publicity stunts and mean-spirited tweets while short on delivering COVID relief for her constituents. As of today, Congresswoman Boebert has not scheduled any town hall meetings in her district, nor has she introduced legislation to help the people of Congressional District 3 with issues like rural access to health care or high-speed broadband. Yet, she can make time this month to rub elbows with wealthy donors, and hang out with the political elite in Florida not just once, but twice.
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson David Pourshoushtari:
“It sure didn’t take long for Congresswoman Boebert to ditch her constituents for rich donors in Palm Beach. Instead of announcing town halls in any of her 29 counties or delivering COVID relief to her district, Congresswoman Boebert is rubbing elbows at a fancy fundraiser that costs $10,600/couple to attend. People in Congressional District 3 deserve a congressperson who will actually address issues they face, like limited access to health care or schools that have broken heaters and textbooks with missing pages. With Congresswoman Boebert, all they’re getting is a media-seeking showboat who demonstrates zero interest in actually doing her job.”
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ANNOUNCING THE 2021 OBAMA GALA AWARDS!
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party has announced the 2021 award recipients at the 4th Annual Obama Gala (scheduled for Saturday, April 24 @ 5:00PM MT). These awards go to people who have distinguished themselves in their service to the Colorado Democratic Party.
“I want to extend our congratulations to all of the award winners! Colorado Democrats have achieved so much to build a better future for all Coloradans, and these leaders have all done exceptional work that has made a positive difference in our state,” said Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.
OBAMA GALA AWARD WINNERS
WINNERS - Democrats of the Year
- Governor Jared Polis
- Congressman Jason Crow
WINNERS - Rising Star Awards
- State Representative Iman Jodeh
- State Representative David Ortiz
WINNER - Outreach Award
- Lorena Garcia
WINNERS - Rural Outreach Awards
- State Senator Kerry Donovan
- Hon. Bri Buentello
WINNERS - Volunteer of the Year
- The Rox Production Team: (Sandi Ault, Tracy Kerns, Debbie McInnis, Jan Berger, Deb Schukar, Ron Shukar, John Miller, Gazala Hayes, Toni Tadolini, Kiya Cockrell, Butterfly White, Stephanie Courington, Tim Courington, Mike Dorsky)
WINNER - Murphy Roberts Award (Young Volunteer of the Year)
- Emi Cooper
WINNER - Lifetime Achievement Award
- Secretary Ken Salazar
WINNERS - Chair’s Awards
- Hon. Evie Hudak
- Vita Lantz-Brown
OSSOFF AND PADILLA CONFIRMED AS SPEAKERS.
U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (GA) and Alex Padilla (CA) have been confirmed as speakers for the 4th Annual Obama Gala! With Colorado being one of the important Senate flips that led to the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, it is exciting that we will have Senator Hickenlooper’s two fellow freshman Senators join the event to rally Colorado Democrats and celebrate the victories of the 2020 election.
BACKGROUND
- The 2020 Obama Gala Award Winners were:
- Joe Salazar (Democrat of the Year)
- Tay Anderson (Rising Star Award)
- Congressman Joe Neguse (Rural Outreach Award)
- Omar Montgomery (Outreach Award)
- Jeeva Senthilnathan (Murphy Roberts Award)
- Kathy Ayala, Julia Bristor, Hashim Coates, Betsy Daniel (Volunteers of the Year)
- Wellington Webb (Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Carol Cure, Kevin Kuns (Chair’s Award)
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Colorado Republicans say “No” to COVID relief
Denver, CO - Earlier today, the House passed a resolution that would allow Congress to move forward on COVID relief for hardworking families.
The proposed American Rescue Plan not only includes a number of popular policies that would immediately help families like stimulus checks, child care assistance, Senator Michael Bennet’s plan to reduce child poverty, and support for small businesses among others, but the plan is supported by a majority of Americans.
Despite these realities, every single House Republican, including Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn turned their backs on their constituents, voting “No” on COVID relief.
David Pourshoushtari, communications director for the Colorado Democratic Party, released the following statement:
“Someone might want to ask Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn what exactly they do around here other than collect taxpayer-funded paychecks. Regular people in Colorado towns like Rifle, Windsor, and Colorado Springs are struggling and calling for relief now. While Democrats are wasting no time to get COVID relief delivered to the people, Boebert, Buck, and Lamborn have shown zero interest in actually fighting for the lives of their constituents or strengthening the American economy and have proposed zero alternatives to the American Rescue Plan.
“Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn could join their Congressional colleagues and actually fight to pass badly needed COVID relief for their constituents. Instead, they have turned their backs on the people in their own districts.”
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Colorado Democrats Commemorate Black History Month
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following joint statement to commemorate Black History Month from Chair Morgan Carroll, Executive Director Halisi Vinson, and Chair of the African American Initiative of the Colorado Democrats Shenika Carter:
“This month, we take the time to celebrate Black excellence and Black achievement that have been so crucial to the growth of the United States of America. While we celebrate the excellence and achievement of Black leaders like Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Dr. King, Katherine Johnson, and too many others to name, we in Colorado can take special pride for the Black pioneers who journeyed west in search of freedom, dignity, and fair treatment. From the trailblazers like Barney Ford and Julia Greeley, to the bravery of the western Buffalo Soldiers, to modern day pioneers like Wellington and Wilma Webb, we have much to celebrate in Colorado this Black History Month.
“While we take the time to celebrate Black excellence and achievement, we must also recognize the systemic and rampant racism that endures in our country’s politics and in our society. Last summer's peaceful protests declaring Black Lives Matter were not just in response to the killings of Elijah McClain, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others to name at the hands of corrupt law enforcement. Today’s Black communities are still grappling with the consequences of Jim Crow. We still see racial-based inequity in every aspect of people’s lives, from job opportunities and housing to criminal justice and health care. While we have made progress, the harsh reality remains that being Black in America means that the American Dream has still been deferred for too many.
“We affirm on this day as Democrats to continue to build on the excellent work achieved by Black elected officials, community leaders, and grassroots activists here in Colorado and across the country to move us closer to our nation’s founding principles of equality, liberty, and justice for all. While the struggle continues, the dream isn’t dead. We saw that with the election of Barack Obama as our first Black President. We saw that days ago with the swearing-in of Kamala Harris as our first Black woman Vice President. And we saw that with Amanda Gorman, a young Black woman named National Youth Poet Laureate who wisely proclaimed at the 2021 Inauguration that ‘being American is more than a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into and how we repair it’.
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Boebert Attacks School Shooting Survivor, Still Has No Plan for CD3
Lauren Boebert has been busy tweeting in her first month in Congress, directing nearly all her tweets at President Biden, all while saying virtually nothing about how she’s working for the people of Congressional District 3.
Today, Boebert found time to attack David Hogg, a survivor from the 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL that killed 17 students and staff members, and injured 17 others.
Former State Representative Bri Buentello:
“Since Boebert took office nearly a month ago, we haven’t heard a single plan for a town hall, nor have we heard any plans she has for bills that would protect our water or generate economic development in Southern Colorado. All we have seen and heard from Lauren Boebert is how much she doesn’t like Joe Biden, how she thinks the 2020 election was rigged, and now, how much contempt she has for survivors of school shootings.
“As a mom, a gun owner, a former educator, and a CD3 constituent, I cannot fathom why Lauren Boebert would insult and mock the survivor of a school shooting that killed 17 children and school staffers. Boebert can find the time to cyberbully trauma victims on Twitter, but evidently can’t find the time to actually do her job as our Congressperson.
“Lauren, mom to mom, put down the damn phone and do the job we taxpayers are paying you to do.”
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It’s the 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and Colorado Republicans are Still Targeting Reproductive Freedom.
Denver, CO - More than two months ago, Colorado voters sent a very loud and clear message by rejecting a fourth abortion ban initiative in 12 years. Proposition 115 was defeated by nearly 19 points in November, yet it seems Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn aren’t giving up their quest to take away people’s reproductive freedoms and Constitutionally-guaranteed abortion care.
One of the first bills that Colorado’s Republican Congressional members have chosen to be original cosponsors of is HR243, which bans federal family planning funds to any health care provider that offers abortion as part of their services.
The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement in response:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“As many others have pointed out on this 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, access to safe, legal reproductive healthcare -- including abortion -- should be the floor, not the ceiling. As Coloradans, we believe in people’s rights to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom, yet Republicans both in our state and across the country haven’t ended their crusade to strip Americans of these rights.
“While President Biden and Colorado Democrats have focused on legislative action to help people who are struggling, Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, Doug Lamborn, and their fellow Republicans insist on waging this culture war that intrudes on basic freedoms and puts people’s lives in danger. It’s beneath them, and their constituents deserve better representation that serves their needs, not takes their health care away.”
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Biden’s Productive First Week
Denver, CO - President Joe Biden wasted no time getting to work for the American people. In addition to the numerous executive orders he signed on his first day in office, the President also signed executive orders to:
- Increase SNAP benefits by 15%;
- Restore collective bargaining power for federal employees and lay the groundwork for a $15/hour minimum wage;
- Invoke the Defense Production Act to increase vaccination development and distribution and PPE manufacturing.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“When the Biden-Harris team said they would be ready to get to work on Day One -- they weren’t kidding. It speaks volumes that President Biden’s first actions during his first 72 hours in office have been to help regular people on some of the biggest challenges of our time, and I commend him for wasting no time in getting to work.”
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Colorado Dems Commend President Biden’s First Executive Orders
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement commending President Joe Biden’s first acts as president to have the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, end the Muslim travel ban, safeguard Dreamers, rejoin the World Health Organization, extend eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, and strengthen workplace protections for LGBTQ Americans, among others:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“President Joe Biden is delivering on his campaign promises on Day One of his presidency. From protecting our natural environment and public lands through the Paris Climate Agreement, to keeping struggling Americans in their homes through the eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, we’re seeing in real time what happens when you elect compassionate leaders.
“When you vote for decency and competence, government can truly be a force for good. I join my fellow Americans in eagerly watching what President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris do in the coming days as we move forward from the division and chaos of the past four years.”
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Colorado Dems Statement on the Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President respectively:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Today our Constitution and democratic institutions have prevailed as we witnessed the historic swearing-in of the 46th President of the United States and our nation’s Madam Vice President. Today, I watched with pride and patriotism as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took the sacred oaths to lead our country, and I stand optimistic for the promise of tomorrow as President Biden and Vice President Harris step up to tackle the many challenges we face.”
“It is morning again in our great nation, and I look forward to watching the Democratic members of Colorado’s Congressional delegation work with the Biden Administration to lead us past the pandemic, rebuild our economy, and to heal the soul of our nation.”
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