The LWVD Newsletter
February 2024 | February Briefing
How Can Denver Climb Out of Our Housing Crisis? Solutions and Possibilities
Tuesday, February 13
5:;30 p.m.
Zoom
 Council President Jamie Torres will speak to us on pathways for Denver residents to attain or retain housing in a time of mounting costs and rising homelessness. The recent influx of the immigration population has further contributed to the housing crisis. In addition to her leadership on this topic in Council, Torres has served on the board of the Denver Housing Authority and was the director of the city’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs. In office, she has had success advocating for accessory dwelling units in her district.
Council President Jamie Torres took office as the Denver City Council Member representing District 3, Denver’s westside, on July 15, 2019. She was elected to serve as Council President on July 18, 2022.
Jamie’s roots are directly in the west Denver community where she and her husband currently call home. She is a third-generation Denverite; her grandmother was born in a small house in the Curtis Park neighborhood and grew up in the old Auraria Neighborhood, and her grandfather grew up in Sun Valley. Her family moved to Villa Park in the 1960s where Jamie has now lived for over 30 years. It is her home and the community is her inspiration.
We look forward to an informative briefing and lively interactions. Please join us.
Articles to help you prepare for the briefing:
The Denver Post - Denver saw surging evictions last year. Will increased rent assistance funds be enough to meet the need?
Denver.gov - HOST's Affordable Home Ownership Program
Colorado Sun - Watch: The Colorado Sun talks the High Cost of Colorado housing and Nearly 90% of people who are homeless in Denver were already living in Colorado, report shows
Cindy Sestrich |  Kali Fajardo-Anstine, former LWVD Office Manager, is a national bestselling author of the novel Woman of Light, and widely acclaimed short-story collection Sabrina & Corina. She was a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of American Book Award. She is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Addison M. Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Kali is from Denver, Colorado, and we were honored to host her for a book reading and signing in early February 2023 and look forward to celebrating her again at our Socially Aware Book Club on February 5 at Hooked on Colfax by discussing Woman of Light.
Woman of Light is a National Best Seller. Luz “Little Light” Lopez, a tea leaf reader and laundress, is left to fend for herself after her older brother, Diego, a snake charmer and factory worker, is run out of town by a violent white mob. As Luz navigates 1930s Denver on her own, she begins to have visions that transport her to her indigenous homeland in the nearby Lost Territory. Luz recollects her ancestors’ origins, how her family flourished and how they were threatened. She bears witness to the sinister forces that have devastated her people and their homelands for generations. In the end, it is up to Luz to save her family stories from disappearing into oblivion.
Join us February 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Hooked on Colfax (3213 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206) for our first Book Club meeting to participate in a lively discussion and respectful engagement. All our welcome, members and non-members alike. Feel free to join us no matter how much of the book you’ve read.
Cassandra Bishop, Membership Chair
RSVP
| Special Event - Seats Still Remain!
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
at the Savoy Denver
The Denver League  has received and accepted an offer from the Boulder Ensemble Theater Company for 20 discounted tickets to their presentation of What the Constitution Means to Me on February 4th at 2:00 p.m. at the Savoy Denver (2700 Arapahoe St.). The tickets are $25 instead of the regular price of $38.
Our tickets (available to League members and their friends and family) are available on a first come, first served basis by going to the website and registering and then either sending a check ($25 per ticket) to the League office or by paying online. On February 4th, you will simply check in at the Savoy and find the best seat available.
For those who wish to join other Leaguers, there is a lounge at the Savoy with snacks and a cash bar. Some of us plan on being there at 1:30 p.m. before the show to talk about anything of interest.
There is only street parking at the Savoy, so think about car-pooling!
Frank Bennett, Co-Director of Communications | 
LWV Colorado is an early endorser of
Ballot Initiative 89, which would enshrine the right to an abortion in the Colorado constitution. This constitutional amendment expresses the will of Colorado citizens and makes it much more difficult for politicians to restrict Coloradan’s reproductive health rights in the future. Initiative 89 will make abortion both legal and accessible to all Coloradans, regardless of their insurance coverage. Currently anyone whose insurance is paid for through government funds, such as public employees or Medicaid recipients, cannot receive abortion care through their insurance and must pay for it through private funding. That makes abortion care inaccessible for almost a million people in our state. This means that Colorado is not truly a "safe haven" for those who live and work here. Initiative 89 will put an end to that injustice and inequity.
To get this important initiative on the ballot, League is joining other organizations, such as Cobalt, in collecting more than 185,000 signatures by mid-March to place the proposal on the ballot.
LWVDenver has conducted two training session (resources for those already trained can be found here), and LWVColorado is continuing to offer training by Zoom so that we can meet the requests for petition gatherers. Look for times on the LWVCO calendar.
If you are interested in signing the petition, there will be a special signing event on Tuesday, February 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contact our Denver office for the location - info@lwvdenver.org or 303-321-7571.
If you'd like a petition carrier to come to an event or an organization to which you belong, contact Susan Stark (susanstark1947@gmail.com) or Leah Audin (LWVDenver Initiative 89 coordinator, l.audin@comcast.net).
| The Air Pollution Impact of I-70’s Expansion
Recap of the January Briefing
The briefing held by Zoom on January 16 brought together three community experts to address the air pollution impact faced by people in the Globeville-Swansea-Elyria (GSE) neighborhoods as a result of living along the expanded I-70 corridor. These three neighborhoods have the dubious distinction of being in 80216, “the most polluted zip code in America.”
We heard from Sam Brasch, Colorado Public Radio’s climate and environment reporter; Jules Kelty, Director of Focus Points Family Resource Center, which serves these communities; and Cindy Chang, Executive Director of Groundwork Denver, which evaluates air quality concerns and offers practical help to people affected by pollutants. A video recording of this briefing is at lwvdenver.org.
Mr. Brasch discussed his research and reporting about the “cover park” built over the below-street-level highway. Planners promised this would be a “different” way to reconnect the neighborhoods bisected by the highway. Playgrounds and other recreational facilities would be a boon to families and the construction would “protect” residents from air pollution produced by increased traffic. In fact, the huge turbo fans at the eastern side of the tunnel were actually designed to protect drivers, and they spew the harmful pollutants right back out to the neighborhoods. CPR and Brash ran a low-cost test to measure the air quality in various parts of the cover park in summer and winter, and it found that the levels were highest at the eastern edge and lower in the middle, but still not safe. One California university scientist that Brasch consulted told him that Denver’s highway cap model was “the worst configuration possible.” Here is the entire report.
Both Brash and Ms. Chang gave us some of the historical background about interstate highway expansions across the US like I-70, which often were built through low income/minority neighborhoods after those neighborhoods had been"redlined". This preserved higher income residential neighborhoods while turning less politically influential people’s neighborhoods from residential to industrial, reducing home values and discouraging home ownership. This neighborhood also includes the Purina plant and Suncor refinery.
Ms. Kelty showed us reports of a health equity analysis done by Denver. This analysis revealed what are called the “social determinates of health,” where poverty, being a person of color, food deserts, reduced access to health care, and other challenges led to much poorer health outcomes. Focus Points has a number of programs, including a large community garden, health/wellness classes, ECE program and career preparedness to counteract the inequities. https://www.focuspoints.org/
Concluding on a hopeful note, Ms. Chang discussed the interventions that Groundwork Denver provides to offset the effects of air pollution. She noted that the GSE neighborhoods have 32% more concrete cover and 50% fewer trees than more affluent parts of the city. Studies indicate that poor air quality affects not just physical, but also mental health. Groundwork Denver turned to the residents, who wanted more action rather than more research, for solutions. Two of its programs are to provide inexpensive indoor air filters and to plant trees on individuals’ properties after training them in how to care for their trees. https://groundworkcolorado.org/
At the conclusion of the briefing, we asked what LWVD can do to advocate on behalf of improved air quality. Ms. Chang cited Ballot Initiative 2A, which raised the local sales and use tax by 0.25% to create the Climate Protection Fund (CPF). The CPF raises $40M annually to act urgently to mitigate the causes of climate change and to center that work on equity. The LWVD enthusiastically supported Initiative 2A, and we can support additional climate-related bills in the future. Climate Protection Fund
Sue Stark, Director of Program | Save these Briefing Dates
Tuesday, March 19 - We will be viewing "Healing US," a documentary about considering universal access to healthcare and Diane Dunn from the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare will be facilitating a discussion following the film. On Zoom.
Tuesday, April 16 - We will explore the Denver's Basic Income Program more than a year after the start. On Zoom.
And don't forget Annual Meeting! Saturday morning, May 18 in person at Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church.
| Voter Service Committee News
Changes to the State Election System
Every two years, Colorado legislators tweak the state’s election system based on experiences from the most recent major election cycle. This year was no different. Among other, smaller changes, SB23-276 opens up automatic voter registration to Native American tribal members living in Colorado. Larger counties are also now required to begin counting votes four days before Election Day, and the number of polling centers will be increased on college campuses. The new law allows voters to use digital ID when they show up to cast a ballot.
Participation in March 2024 Primary and Caucuses
The Presidential Primary will be held on March 5. Unaffiliated voters can cast a ballot for any one political party in the primary.
For further information on primaries, please see the Colorado Secretary of State website: Primary Elections FAQs (coloradosos.gov)
The Democratic and Republican party caucuses will be held on Thursday, March 7. Unaffiliated voters can vote in primary elections, but they cannot vote in party caucuses. For further information on caucuses, please see the Colorado Secretary of State website: Caucuses, Assemblies and Conventions FAQs (coloradosos.gov)
Become a Trained Circulator
Please consider being trained as a Circulator to help register voters in the Denver area with the League of Women Voters of Denver. You do not need to be a member of LWV to become a Circulator and help out. We register voters at local colleges, high schools, community events, jails, clinics, etc. (Note: Even if you were trained last year, the State of Colorado requires recertification each year.)
We will have training opportunities several times this year, starting with these dates:
- Thursday January 25 at 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday January 31 at 4:30 p.m.
If you are interested in participating in the virtual Circulator training, please notify Anne Duncan, anned47@msn.com, 773.852.3197 (text preferred over call).
Lisa Haddox, Voter Service Chair
| Welcome New Members
Robin Stewart, zip code 80222, robinstewart470@comcast.net
Carol Flank, zip code 80206, Carolflank214@gmail.com
Mary Wessels, zip code 80209, marywessels@me.com
Nina Churchman, zip code 80222, woodynina@gmail.com
Lynn Gangone, zip code 80238 Lmgangone@gmail.com
| VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We usually publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday, so the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| VOTER |
Article Deadline |
Voter Publication Date |
| March |
Friday, February 16 |
Thursday, February 22 |
| April |
Friday, March 22 |
Thursday, March 28 |
| May |
Friday, April 19 |
Thursday, April 26 |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | LWV Denver Units
A great place for meaningful conversations
Cheesman Unit
Next in-person meeting is February 27 (the fourth Tuesday) at 9:30 a.m. at Bobbie Heisterkamp's home
Leader: Bobbie Heisterkamp (303-333-6818)
Cherrington Unit
Meets Thursdays following briefings at 1:00-3:00 p.m. in-person
Next meeting is Feb. 15, 1:00 p.m. at Elsie Haley's home, 1215 Milwaukee St.
Leaders: Peg Oldham (720-220-3988) and Andrea Mitchell
Highland/Woodbury Unit
In-Person meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Next meeting is February 21 at Sassafras Restaurant, 3927 W 32nd Ave, (80212)
Leader: Sally Augden (303-455-5800)
Observatory Unit
Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m.
Next meeting is February 28, Zoom
Co-Leaders: Diane Young (303-886-3365) and Jeanette Scotland (303-479-4368) | Community Events of Interest
CSLC Panel Discussions
Established in 1971, the Colorado Social Legislation Committee (CSLC) is a coalition of persons and organizations interested in legislation related to human needs and services, especially at the state level. CSLC is a nonpartisan and all-volunteer organization that works to create a better future for Colorado. The League of Women voters is an organizational member of CSLC. We have collaborated with CSLC over some years.
The Colorado Social Legislation Committee meets Mondays at 12:00 noon by Zoom during the Colorado legislative session. Upcoming topics and speakers are:
January 29 -- Colorado's State Demographer Elizabeth Garner
February 5 -- Renter's Protections
February 12 -- Child Welfare
February 26 -- Legal Representation for Victims of Human Trafficking and Wage Theft
Go to cslc.org to register and get the Zoom link.
AAUW Public Policy Day
Hot Topics in Education
Saturday, February 3, 9:00-noon on Zoom.
More information here. Register here.
American Association of University Women--AAUW is a top-rated 501(c)3 charitable organization founded in 1881, whose mission is to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.
| Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member Today
If you received this email VOTER and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, consider doing it online.
Follow this link to join or renew at one of our membership levels and remember that it covers Denver, Colorado and National membership. Also, please consider renewing at the sustaining or benefactor membership level. Membership dues are tax deductible.
| Regular Individual Membership |
$60 |
| Sustaining membership (includes an additional donation) |
$125 |
| Benefactor membership (includes additional donation)
|
$300 |
Two regular members at the same address
|
$90 |
| Two sustaining members at the same address (includes an additional donation) |
$150 |
| Two benefactor members at the same address (includes an additional donation)
|
$450 |
Member needing assistance with paying dues
|
$5 |
| Part or full-time student |
$10 |
Members: Forward this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join! | Consider a Sustaining or Benefactor Membership
We appreciate all those who pay $60 to be a member. However, the LWV Denver can only keep $8 of that $60 and the rest goes to Per Member Payments to the LWVCO and LWVUS. For those who are able, think about paying a sustaining $125 membership that gives the LWV Denver $73 or a benefactor $300 membership that gives the LWV Denver $248 to use for our education activities, to support our office and to continue our voter service resources for the city of Denver. Thank you!
Bobbie Heisterkamp, Treasurer
| | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |