The LWVDenver Newsletter
October 2026 |  | Plan to attend our annual briefing about the Denver and state-wide issues that will be on the November ballot. Our ballot issue research team will present the main provisions, background, and what a yes/no vote means on each of the Denver measures on the ballot. Mary Parker, President of LWVCO, will explain the state ballot issues. You can then share what you learn as a good resource for friends and family!
Ballot issue pamphlets in English and Spanish will be available at the meeting for those that would like to distribute them to organizations, places of worship, and other groups. Please let the office know how many you would like to take with you (info@lwvdenver.org or 303-321-7571). Information on the Colorado ballot issues can be found on the LWVCO website. For a more in-depth look at the statewide issues, LWVCO is also doing a virtual presentation of the state issues on September 30 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Register here.
Our Speakers Bureau for ballot measures is up and running! They are available to present information on the ballot issues to community groups. If you or a group you know is interested in scheduling a speaker, contact Lisa Haddox at lisa.m.haddox@gmail.com.
Diane Young, Voter Service Committee-Ballot Issues Chair
| Come Early for a New Member Orientation!
The orientation will be at 5:00 p.m., right before the October 6 meeting, in the League office. Come with questions about League and meet other new members too!
Annie Cannon and Katherine Schultz, Membership Chairs | Denver Ballot Issues in Brief
Here's a quick rundown of the ballot issues in ballot order to get you ready for the briefing.
| 2H |
A Charter Amendment clarifying that the Auditor’s Office may continue to enforce wage laws, worker protection laws and other workplace right laws |
| 2I |
A Charter Amendment to adjust the City and County of Denver’s budgeting and planning process to allow the City Council to adopt a two-year budgeting process |
| 2J |
A Charter Amendment to modernize the Civil Service Commission and Department of Safety, removing outdated language and giving the City Council the ability to make changes for the Commission |
| 2K |
Approval of a twenty-year franchise contract with Xcel to provide utility services for the City and County of Denver |
| 311 |
A city ordinance to prohibit the force-feeding of birds and the sale of products derived from force-feeding, including fois gras |
| 4A |
Denver Public Schools proposal to approve a $44 million increase in mill levy funds |
| 7A |
A proposal from the Front Range Passenger Rail District to create a 0.333% (33 cents on $100 spent) for a passenger rail connection between the Colorado Front Range population centers |
Diane Young, Voter Service Committee - Ballot Issues Chair | Where We Stand on the Issues
The Board adopted the following positions on the Ballot Issues by consensus at a special LWVD Board Meeting on September 8, 2026. A quorum of Board members was present. We were joined by Diane Young, LWVD Voter Service - Ballot Issues Chair, who organized the Ballot Issue research. She provided information but did not participate in the consensus process. For a more in-depth understanding of the Background and Major Provisions of each ballot issue, please refer to website: lwvdenver.org/Ballot_Issues.
The LWVD positions on these ballot issues are grounded in well-researched studies and decisions arrived at by consensus at the organization’s national, state and local levels. These positions are noted under 'Justification' for each stand taken in the Where the League Stands
Referred Measure 2H: Clarify Workplace Rights Law Enforcement
by the Auditor’s Office |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2I: Two-year Budget Process for Denver |
Support |
Referred Measure 2K: for Franchise Agreement with Xcel Energy
to Provide Utilities to Denver |
Take No Position |
| Initiated Ordinance 311: Prohibit the Force-Feeding of Birds |
Take No Position |
| Denver Public Schools Issue 4A: $44 Million Mill Levy Override |
Support |
| Ballot Issue 7A – Front Range Passenger Rail District Tax Increase |
Support |
| LWVD will hold a virtual briefing to explain and discuss Proposition NN "TABOR Revenue Cap Increase for K-12 Education Measure" and the "Colorado Establish Graduated Income Tax and Dedicate New Revenue to Education, Healthcare, and Childcare" Initiative 195.
The speakers will be Evie Hudak, former CO State Senator and member of the Colorado State Board of Education, and Joshua Mantell, Director of Government Relations for the Bell Policy Center.
Both of these measures have the support of the Colorado and Denver Leagues. In fact, these two measures are the only state issues supported by the LWV of Colorado board based on our positions on adequate funding of education, childcare and healthcare. Please attend this virtual event. Look for the link on our website lwvdenver.org.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy | | | Voting is People Power - VIPP!!
Our ongoing Get Out the Vote initiative includes distribution of election information at voter registration events, distribution of yard signs (see next article), and writing of postcards. We’ve trained speakers to present VIPP materials and issued backpacks with resources to volunteers to share voting resources in the community with pop-up conversations about voting. We’re purchasing radio spots (the first one is for 107.5 - listen for it or find it in our VIPP Toolkit), print advertisements, and bus shelter signage.
Let’s get out the vote! | Let's Get These Out!
As part of the League’s Get Out the Vote efforts this fall, the Voter Service Committee purchased yard signs with the message “Voting is Your Super Power” in English on one side and Spanish on the other. We would really like to get these out into the community where there is lower voting activity. Do you know a good location? Email or call the office and we'll arrange to get signs to you or to the location you suggest!
info@lwvdenver.org
| | | Candidate Forums
Together with our Denver Decides partners, Inter Neighborhood Cooperation and Denver TV8, we’re hosting a a series of candidate forums for Congressional District 1, At-Large Council Seat B, and the Colorado Senate and House districts that are located within Denver. The latter are currently recording forums that will be shared later on the Denver Decides website and YouTube Channel.
The CD1 and At-Large Council Seat B forums are being held at the University of Denver on Saturday, October 3. Details on the venue and where to park can be found on the registration site. Please join us there!
Register Here
You can also watch the DU forum live at DenverTV.com • Facebook.com/cityandcountyofdenver • Youtube.com/Denver8TV. |  | Election Security in Colorado: Confronting Disinformation and Rumor
Summary of LWVD September 15 Briefing
The LWVD Kickoff Event on September 15, co-hosted with the Colorado Social Legislation Committee, focused on confronting misinformation about the security of the upcoming Midterm Elections. Our panel of experts were Paul Lopez, Denver’s Clerk and Recorder; Martha Tierney, attorney and authority on federal, state and local election law; and Evaristo Gomez, the Manager of Civic Engagement at Mi Familia Vota.
Much of the “noise” about election integrity had focused on mail voting, but the day before this briefing the Supreme Court ‘s decision to reject the federal government’s bid to restrict mail ballots meant that our midterm election in Colorado will proceed as usual this year. Over 90% of Colorado voters use mail ballots.
The consistent message from all three speakers is that the most secure way to vote is to take your completed ballot to one of the 49 drop boxes available throughout Denver, including at many RTD Stations. All drop boxes are video-monitored 24 hours a day and the ballots are removed by bipartisan Election Division teams into secure lock boxes at least twice a day during the entire election period. Any report of suspicious behavior or harassment at these drop boxes is immediately investigated.
A number of details of voting in Denver were shared by Paul Lopez. For example, Colorado is not a “postmark” state; mailed ballots must be in the possession of the Clerk and Recorders office by 7:00 p.m. on election regardless of postmark. Ballots must be returned to a drop box, the Denver Election Division or to one of the Voting Centers by 7:00 p.m. on the final day of voting, Tuesday, November 3. A person may hand deliver up to ten (not including one’s own) ballots to a drop box for each election, placing the ballots one-by-one into the slot. They do not all need to be delivered at one time. Clerk Lopez also stated that any attempt to intimidate people coming in person to vote will result in arrest warrants. A Denver police officer is stationed at every Voting Center to protect voters and deal with any violation of regulations that restrict carrying a weapon or acting in an intimidating way.
The next speaker, Evaristo Gomez, discussed Mi Familia Vota’s outreach to provide accurate information about voting to the Latino community. He focuses especially on Latino youth in an effort to create a “culture of participation in voting” in their families. The threat of ICE at polling sites is the major fear that Mi Familia encounters. The organization encourages community members to pay attention ONLY to trusted resources of information and avoid the scare tactics of internet misinformation. Even undocumented residents can support eligible Latino voters by volunteering to drive people to the polls or drop boxes, or to be trained as poll site watchers to report any difficulties.
Martha Tierney gave information about the legal landscape of voting in this country, while touting our excellent election and highly professional county clerks of both parties in Colorado. She noted that Colorado will send out the ballots a week earlier for this election because of legislation passed last year to enhance accessibility for voters.
Ms. Tierney lauded the city of Denver and the Clerk’s office for stepping up to join a lawsuit to keep ICE agents away from polling sites. We are the only state to do so. Questions were asked about post-election day efforts by the federal government to disrupt the certification of the vote. She noted that election lawyers and state officials nationwide are preparing to challenge such interference should it occur.
She joined the other speakers in recommending two websites:
- GoVoteColorado.gov to register or to check that your voter registration information is correct. If you or a friend/family member has moved since last voting, this will ensure that they get their mailed ballot. It also shows the addresses of all the drop boxes and voting centers statewide. Note that you can place your ballot in any county’s drop box by 7:00 p.m. on November 3 and it will be forwarded to the correct county where you live.
- BallotTrax enables Colorado voters to receive notifications by phone, email or text about the status of their mail ballots, including when their ballot has been received and counted. If your ballot needs to be “cured” to verify your signature, etc. the information provided enables the Clerk’s office to contact you early to do so.
- And in Colorado, curing can be done electronically using Colorado BallotCure on GoVoteColorado.gov.
For more detailed information about this excellent briefing, go to our website, lwvdenver.org to listen to the recording.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy
| Save The Date
Tuesday, November 17, 5:30 p.m., In Person
The LWVUS Newly-Adopted Position on Religious Freedom
In April of 2025, the LWV of Colorado adopted a Position to strengthen our support for the First Amendment's statement of separation of church and state. At the June 2026 National Convention, the Colorado League's contingent proposed that this become a national Position and it was adopted by concurrence. This action will enable the League to engage in state and federal advocacy to challenge the threats to civil rights from the religious nationalism movement.
At our November briefing you will hear from Jeff Oster, the head of LWVCO's Religious Freedom Task Force that crafted the new position, and from legal experts defending cases brought before state courts and the Supreme Court that challenge religious liberty. We also hope to hear from mainline religious leaders who support "free exercise of religion" and are opposed any "government establishment" of a particular religion.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy | Meet Our Newest 50-year Members
Editor’s Note: We are starting a series of articles highlighting 50-year members by Janet Imhoff. We thought you’d like to know a little more about their backgrounds and what League means to them.
Sandra Shreve
Sandra moved to Denver from the Detroit area and joined LWV Denver in 1976. She had always wanted to join the League so she could get information about the issues and be an informed voter. She was impressed by Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins, the first black president of the LWVUS. Sandra stayed in the League over the years while she worked as a teacher, counselor, and ultimately Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for the Aurora schools. In League she registered voters, participated in studies, and held several board positions. She served as President of the Denver League from 2006-2009.
When asked why she never left the League, she said, “I value the League as an organization. I like the nonpartisanship and all the good information we produce on issues and on elections. Also, you meet such interesting people.”
Paula Gudder
Paula and her husband Stan joined the League when they moved here in 1969. They were not as active as they had hoped, but relied on our newsletters and friends to keep up with League news and information.
Paula volunteered in the League office doing computer work at one time. She and Stan also participated in our bulb sale for many years, and still have some of them. She said, “We are grateful to have LWV maneuvering for us.”
Janet Imhoff, Director of Organization
| Membership
Book Club - This Month!
She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement
By Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
Join us on October 22, 6:00 p.m. at the Sienna Wine Bar, 3434 E. 12th Ave., for a stimulating discussion of the book the ignited the #MeToo movement.
Purchase from the Publisher
Borrow from the Library
| We Need Your Volunteer Hours!
These are important for getting grants at the local and national level. You can use the form to enter any hours you have spent on League activities.
Volunteer Hours Form
| Welcome New and Returning Members
Jennifer Bogert, jennifer.bogert362@gmail.com, 80238
Jennifer Chavez, jen.chavez@me.com, 80209
Susan Corser, secorser@msn.com, 80207-3153
Deb Deverell, debinvail@gmail.com, 80238
Victoria Emery, vicemery@yahoo.com, 80209
Becky Estill, bestill62@gmail.com, 80205
Natalie Gomez, 900396@dpsk12.net, 80249
Lisa Ray-Higgins, lrayster@gmail.com, 80230
Melissa Hoch, melisshoch@gmail.com, 80111
Vaughan Kendall, vaughan_kendall@yahoo.com, 80210
Judith Kohler, judith.kohler@gmail.com, 80203
Haley Kunce, haleykunce@icloud.com, 80207-2610
Claire Magrath, clairemagrath@mac.com, 80209
Allicen Martinez, 848596@dpsk12.net, 80249
Diana Masone, dmasone1@gmail.com, 80206
Katherine McCreedy, ktmccreedy@gmail.com, 80211
Melanie McKay Alter, melanie.alter@gmail.com, 80209
Stella Moats, stellamoats5@gmail.com, 80210
Mollie Nardecchia, mollienardecchia@gmail.com, 80211
Melissa Pulsinelli, melissa@littlemanicecream.com, 80211
Michelle Rush, michelle@rushrealty.com, 80209
Chloe (Randy) Sinisi, randysinisi@gmail.com, 80246
Elizabeth Walvoord, lisa_walvoord@yahoo.com, 80220
Nancy Willerton, nawdvm@msn.com, 80121
| LWV Denver Units
A great place for meaningful conversations
Units are small groups that meet after briefings to discuss the topic further and whatever else is on the minds of the attendees. This is a great way to be more involved in League and to make lasting relationships. All are welcome!
Cheesman Unit
Usually Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month
Next Meeting: TBD
Leader: Bobbie Heisterkamp (303-333-6818)
Cherrington Unit
Meets on the third Thursday of the month
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m., at the home of Elsie Haley, 1215 Milwaukee Street
Leader: Peg Oldham (720-220-3988)
Highland/Woodbury
Meets the third Wednesday of each month
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Sassafras American Eatery, 32nd and Perry
Contact Sally Augden (303-455-5800) or Joan Friend (303-596-1022) for more details
Observatory
Next Meeting: TBD
Contact Jeanette Scotland (303-479-4368) for more details
| VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We traditionally publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday and the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| Edition |
Article Deadline |
Published Date |
| November |
October 16 |
October 22 |
| December/January |
TBD |
TBD |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com.
| When You Renew Your Membership
Consider a Donation at the Same Time
If it's time to renew your membership, you can easily do it online here:
Join or Renew Here
Please consider contributing to the Denver League when you renew. The whole process is quite simple.
Members, please consider forwarding this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join!
Join or Renew Here
| Rather Read the VOTER on Paper?
Click this link for a printable pdf version of the newsletter:
Printable LWVD VOTER | | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |