September 2004 - Issue 11
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lot of HTML formatting in this newsletter. If you don't see any graphics
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The Field Is Set for
Victory (Part II)!
Whew! We've got
a lot of stuff going on in Colorado over the next month, and there's a
lot of ground to cover in this (somewhat tardy) edition of DemNotes.
I'm rushing to get this out on the Thursday of the first debates, so if
I seem even more inarticulate than usual, that is probably the reason.
Last month, I focused
on Federal and the statewide races. This month, I want to focus on
our attempts across Colorado to regain control of the State Senate --
which is well within the bounds of reality. With my next
newsletter, I will be focusing on the State House candidates (I had
hoped to do it this month, but I simply cannot fit the Senate and the
House candidates into the same issue).
With the complete
focus of the nation on Colorado's federal races, it may be easy to
forget that we have a duty to win in our state races, as well. We
are in a huge budget mess because the Republicans in charge refused to
listen to reason and refused to deal with the fiscal issues facing
Colorado. If we had control of one of the chambers of the
Legislature, we would have been successful in forcing a dialogue on our
fiscal mess. Instead, though, we were simply relegated to watching
in horror and disgust. (Then, to top it all off, House Majority
Leader Keith King is traveling the state blaming the Democrats for
Colorado's fiscal problems!)
It is time for a
change in Denver. Below are SOME of the folks who will help make
that change. Again, half of the State Senate seats are up. I
simply don't have the time or space to include all of the races -- so my
apologies in advance if your favorite race is not highlighted.
State Senate
Races
SD4 - Jim Miller
Jim
Miller is tough. He needs to be, because he's in a tough district.
For the past eleven years, Miller has been a County Court Judge in
Douglas County. That's tough. But in those past eleven
years, residents of Douglas County have come to know Judge Miller as a
tough but fair leader in his community.
I've
met Jim Miller a few times on the campaign trail, and I can attest to
the fact that he's a personable fellow with the knowledge and skills to
beat his right-wing opponent, even in this tough Republican-leaning
district. If you live in Douglas, Park, Lake, Teller, or portions
of Northern El Paso counties, you need to work like heck to elect Jim
Miller -- because he'll work like heck to serve you in the State Senate.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.jimmillerforsenate.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.knowledgemessenger.com/prod/volunteer.asp?app=jimmiller
To Contribute:
https://atticusdemello.com/DonationFormLegisJim.asp?SenatorId=57
To Contact:
1467 Bergen
Rock Drive
Castle Rock,
CO 80109
(303) 880-8343
(Camp. Mgr. Tim Saunders)
SD8 - Jay Fetcher
Jay
Fetcher has been a lifelong leader in Northwest Colorado. Fetcher
has lived on a ranch just outside of Steamboat Springs since 1949.
Folks in Northwest Colorado know Fetcher as an honest, hard-working
person who will bring rural Colorado values to the Colorado Senate.
Fetcher,
a life-long rancher, has worked hard in his community to improve
educational opportunities and to provide better technological
capabilities for the Western Slope. As State Senator from
Northwest Colorado, Jay will continue to work on many of the tough
issues facing The Western Slope. He will focus on protecting water
resources, providing access to quality healthcare in rural areas of
Colorado , lowering prescription drug costs, supporting tourism and
promoting our great agricultural products.
If you agree
that Colorado needs more common-sense values and that rural areas need
strong leadership, then you need to work to ensure that Jay Fetcher is
our next State Senator for Northwest Colorado.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.jayfetcher.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.knowledgemessenger.com/prod/signup.asp?app=jayfetcher&hdr=no
To Contribute:
https://atticusdemello.com/DonationFormLegisJay_new.asp?SenatorId=50
To Contact:
P.O. Box 866
Clark, CO
80428
(970) 879-3713
SD 14 - Bob Bacon
You
know someone is really special when a school is named after them --
while they're still living. Well, visit Fort Collins, and you'll
come across Bob Bacon Elementary, right in the heart of Senate District
14.
Bob
Bacon served the people of Fort Collins well for years as their State
Representative, earning the respect and admirations of Republicans and
Democrats alike. In 2002, he took a sabbatical and decided not to
run again (which, by the way, gave us another great leader: Angie
Paccione - see below).
This year,
Senate District 14 is a critical seat in the battle for the State
Senate. Bacon has heeded the call, and is working hard to ensure
that Fort Collins continues to have progressive, tough-minded leadership
in the vein of the current Senator, Peggy Reeves.
As a state
senator from Fort Collins, Bob will continue to work on education issues
and expand educational opportunities from K-12 through community college
and universities. Bob also recognizes the crisis facing colleges and
universities in this state and will be a tireless advocate for our
higher education institutions. Additionally, he will strive to bring
high-paying jobs to our state, make healthcare more affordable, and
protect our precious environment.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.baconforsenate.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.baconforsenate.com/volunteer.html
To Contribute:
https://atticusdemello.com/DonationFormLegisBob.asp?senatorid=49
To Contact:
720 Gilgalad
Way
Fort Collins,
CO 80526
(970) 221-4552
SD 17 - Brandon
Schaffer
Colorado
native Brandon Schaffer is a rising star in Colorado. A navy
veteran and graduate of Stanford, Schaffer has worked as an intern for
Governor Roy Romer and the Commission on National and Community Service.
One of the best reasons to support Brandon is his choice of names this
year for his baby girl -- Madison (my 8 year old daughter, you see, is
also Madison).
As State Senator Brandon
will advocate for early-learning options to give students a head-start
in school, work to ensure all teachers are highly qualified and have the
resources necessary for success, ensure that Coloradans have access to
quality healthcare, work to lower prescription drug costs and provide
greater options to the consumer. Additionally, as a resident of
Longmont, Brandon recognizes the need for a strong transportation
system. He will work to create a passenger rail system to move people
between Longmont , Boulder and Denver as an alternative for commuters.
Boulder County
has always recognized bright young leaders and showcased them to the
state. With your help, we can elect Brandon Schaffer and continue
that long tradition.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.brandonshaffer.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.brandonshaffer.com/volunteer.html
To Contribute:
http://www.brandonshaffer.com/donation.html
To Contact:
3028 Colgate
Drive
Longmont, CO
80503
(303) 485-8670
SD 19 - Sue Windels
Sue
Windels has a record of accomplishment that makes Jefferson County
voters proud. They were so proud of her work that after just one
term in the State House, they promoted her to the State Senate.
An
educator by trade, Sue Windels has always fought to protect the most
vulnerable of our state -- the children and the elderly -- by ensuring
their access to affordable health care.
Windels has
worked hard to make sure that her constituents have a voice at the
Capitol. Windels knows that this involves more than talking -- it
involves a lot of listening, too. That's why she regularly hosts
town meetings in her district to listen to people's concerns.
Then, she takes those concerns with her in her fights on the floor of
the State Senate.
Arvada and
Westminster in Northern Jefferson County could not ask for a better
State Senator. That's why, with your help, Sue Windels will
continue to fight for a balanced state government that is both fiscally
responsible and socially conscious.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.suewindels.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.suewindels.com/volunteer.html
To Contribute:
https://atticusdemello.com/DonationFormLegisSue.asp?SenatorId=55
To Contact:
13925 W. 73rd
Ave.
Arvada, CO
80005
(303) 421-6405
SD 21 - Deanna Hanna
Deanna
Hanna knows health care. With the importance of quality,
affordable and accessible health care being one of the most important
issues today, it is critical that we have someone in the State Senate
with Hanna's experience in this field. As a nurse, Deanna Hanna
has been on the front lines of Colorado's health care crisis.
But
that's only one reason why Deanna Hanna is such a special part of the
Colorado Senate.
Hanna is
currently the Colorado state senator from District 21. Her common sense
approach to problem solving sparks her desire to address the challenges
facing Coloradans today. As our state senator from the Lakewood area of
Colorado , she has sponsored legislation to create jobs, improve our
healthcare system, protect Colorado 's wildlife and create a structure
for fighting the threat of terrorism in our state.
If we are
truly committed to solving Colorado's problems with health care,
education, and so many other areas, then we need to re-elect Deanna
Hanna to the State Senate.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.deannahanna.com/
To Volunteer:
http://www.deannahanna.com/volunteer.html
To Contribute:
http://www.deannahanna.com/donate.htm
To Contact:
P.O. Box
280288
Lakewood, CO
80228-0288
(303) 987-1449
SD 26 - Jared
Ingwalson
Small
business is important to Jared Ingwalson -- that's why he is works to
improve management skills and share best practices among independent
sub-contractors. In a diverse State Senate, Ingwalson will be a
leader for progressive small business-oriented ideas.
As
a businessman, Ingwalson understands what it means to be fiscally
responsible. In an era where our Republicans talk about fiscal
responsiblity but act like drunken sailors on shore leave when it comes
to actually being fiscally responsible, we need competent leaders like
Jared Ingwalson in the State Senate.
Jared
Ingwalson is an outdoorsman, the proud father of two, and has been
married for 34 years. He understands the importance of fiscal
responsibility, but does not want the state to balance the budget on the
backs of education, the elderly and those in need.
That's the
kind of common sense we could use more of at the Capitol.
Campaign
Website:
http://www.ingwalsonforcolorado.com
To Volunteer
or Contribute:
http://www.ingwalsonforcolorado.com/new_page_4.htm
To Contact:
6732 Coal Mine
Ave, Suite 421
Littleton, CO
80123
(303) 859-5513
SD 28 - Suzanne
Williams
The
race in Senate District 28 against right-wing ideologue Bruce Cairns is
so important to our plans to re-take the State Senate that we've put our
best and brightest on the job -- Representative Suzanne Williams.
Williams
recently retired after 22 years as a special education teacher.
That, standing alone, should be enough to put her (in my mind) on the
wings of angels. But she's done so much more as a leader in the
State House. On education, Representative Williams has been one of
the state's leaders in recognizing that education is a life-long goal.
Perhaps that's why she's done so much for early childhood education,
including providing incentives for workers in early childhood education
to help them attend continuing education at community colleges.
(I'm especially fond of that one, since my wife, an early childhood
educator herself, has taken advantage of those opportunities.)
Rep. Williams'
community service doesn't stop there. She serves on the Board of
Aurora Sister Cities, D.A.R.E. Colorado, and the United Cerebral Palsy
Association.
There simply
isn't another race in Colorado where the differences between the
candidates are so stark. Regardless where you live in Colorado,
you need Suzanne Williams representing Aurora in the State Senate.
Her qualifications are unparalleled in Senate District 28.
Campaign
Website:
http://suzannewilliamsforsenate.com/
To Volunteer:
http://suzannewilliamsforsenate.com/volunteer.html
To Contribute:
https://atticusdemello.com/DonationFormLegisSuzanne.asp?SenatorId=51
To Contact:
2647 S. Troy
Court
Aurora, CO
80014
(303) 894-8600
(Joshua Phair, Camp. Mgr.)
That's the
group! Next time: State House
candidates... Stay tuned!
-- Dan
Idea of The Month: Attend A Debate
Watch Party
Since today is the last day of
the month, there can be only one thing to do this month: join with
your fellow Democrats and attend a Debate Watch Party tonight.
They are going on across the
State; here are the locations that I know about:
Official Kerry Campaign Watch
Party - Denver: Temple Events Center Uptown, 1595 Pearl
Street, from 5:00 p.m. to Midnight. This will be a huge event,
featuring Delaware Senator Joe Biden
and former Mayor Wellington Webb.
Greeley: Weld County
Dems Watch Party; Lopiano's, Best Western Regency Hotel, 701 8th Street,
Greeley. Begins at 5:30. If possible, for planning purposes,
RSVP, Democratic Party Headquarters, 970 351-7047 or
johnkerryweld@comcast.net.
Suggested donation of $10, students $5, for the munchies.
Boulder: Democracy
for Colorado Debate Watch Party. Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th
Street, Boulder. Event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Canon City: Fremont
County Dems Watch Party; County Party Headquarters, 721 Main Street in
Canon City. Snacks, Soft Drinks, Silent Auction, Door Prizes.
Phone banking (optional) starts at 5:30, and the watch party starts with
the debates at 7:00.
Glenwood Springs:
Support Your Party Party; Village Smithy @ 5:30pm. Bring a beverage, an
appetizer, and $20.04. We'll watch the first Presidential debate and
support Victory 2004.
Pueblo: Debate Watch
Party; Angelo's Pizza (northside).
We've reserved the back room at
Angelo's Pizza on the northside of Pueblo (near Club Manor Drive, across
the highway from Lowe's) for Democrats to gather and watch the debate
this Thursday night (9/30). The debate starts at 7PM, so we'll start
gathering at about 6:30. Hope you'll join us! If we get enough people,
Angelo's charges $7 per person for all-you-can-eat pizza and
soda/tea/coffee.
Breckenridge: Debate and Pizza
Party; Downstairs at Eric's. Main Street, Breckenridge, 5:00 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m.
Denver: The Angry Donkey Presents
DebateParty1; Rox Infusion Lounge, 1701 Wynkoop (Union Station).
$10 entry; all proceeds support Colorado Victory 2004. Celebrate
with Denver's best DJs, drink specials all night long. Time:
6:30 p.m. into the night.
Denver: Stonewall Dems' Debate
Watch Party; Charlie's 900 E. Colfax Avenue.
Charlie's has reconfigured the old
disco side with a big screen and tables for football and other TV
viewing and the sound and atmosphere is excellent. We'll also be signing
people up to volunteer. This will be a great chance to get Kerry-Edwards
paraphanelia geared specifically for the GLBT community - special
rainbow window signs (not weather proof), bumper stickers and buttons,
as well as campaign literature.
No
Plans This Weekend?
What? You have no
plans this weekend (October 2-3)? Shameful! Not to worry,
there's plenty of things to do to keep you busy:
Saturday, October 2:
8:00 a.m. - CANDIDATES
FORUM 2004 sponsored by the United Veterans Committee of Colorado at VFW
Post 9644, 2680 Old Hampden West (1/2 block north of Hampden Ave.) in
Denver from 8 am – Noon.
8:30 a.m. - Fort Collins
and Loveland - Lit Drops for Karen Wagner - call Gina Janett for more
information at 970-493-4677.
9:00 a.m. - Fort Collins
- Literature drop for Stan Matsunaka. 9am-Noon and 1:00-4:00pm –
Walkers get a free lunch at the Democratic office from Noon-1pm! If
these times don’t work for you, let us know and we can give you a
walking list and literature to drop when you have time.
9:00 a.m. - Denver -
Massive sign blitz for Rep. Alice Borodkin. Signs and instructions
available at Rep. Borodkin's house, 8101 East Dartmouth Ave, Denver.
9:30 a.m. - Penrose -
Apple Day Parade. Join Fremont County and Southern Colorado
candidates Emily Tracy and Buffie McFadyen as they lead Fremont County
Democrats in this annual tradition. Meet at the corner of Broadway
and Illinois in Penrose.
10:00 a.m. - Denver Metro
- Campaign Walk for Betty Boyd -call Ann Rutofsky at 303-988-6019 for
details.
10:00 a.m. - Pueblo -
Precinct Walking for Buffie McFadyen. Meet at the Texaco Loaf &
Jug on Highway 96 (road to Beulah).
10:00 a.m. to dusk -
Greeley - Targeted Registration Final Push - Show up at Kerry
Headquarters in Greeley at 908 1/2 9th Avenue to help out. Call
970-352-2462 for more details.
11:00 a.m. - Cripple
Creek - Salazar / Coors Action 22 Debate, Double Eagle Hotel.
Noon to 1:00 p.m. - Fort
Collins - Street Rally for Democrats - Just show up at the intersection
of LeMay and Drake, parking on the SW corner, and show your support for
Northern Colorado Dems!
1:00 p.m. - Denver -
"Freedom Fest Voter Registration Rally" featuring
Al Franken!
Civic Center Park.
1:00 p.m. - Windsor -
Join Doug Frisbee in walking door-to-door to get votes. Contact
Frisbee headquarters at 970-577-9556 for more details.
2:00 p.m. - Durango -
Roll to Victory / Bicyclists for Kerry. Start and finish at Gazebo
Park in Durango. Roll through Durango with Kerry materials
(provided) and good cheer (yours)!
2:00 p.m. - Denver -
"Shooting Straight for a Change" Fundraiser for Denver Victory 2004.
Shakespeare's Billiards, 2375 15th Street, Denver. $20 Donation at
the door. Featuring live jazz, stand-up comedy and billiards.
2:00 p.m. - Fort Collins
- Join John Kefalas from 2-4 p.m. for a fabulous afternoon of hors
d’oeuvres, wine, and the opportunity to bid in a silent service auction
at Pulcinella’s Ristorante. The suggested donation is $60 per person,
$100 per couple. Please contact Kefalas for Colorado at 970.308.6918 to
R.S.V.P. or for more information.
4:00 p.m. - Greeley -
Weld County Democratic Party Fall Oktoberfest barbeque. It will be
at the shelter in Evans City Park, 39h St. and Boulder St., 4:00-7:00
PM. The menu is barbecue and brats, and all the trimmings, with soft
drinks and beer. $25 per person, children under 12 free. Comments by
local candidates and music by Bluegrass artists Shawn Wagner & The
Tumbly Weeds. For more information, and RSVP, please call Democratic
Headquarters, 970-351-7047 or Party chair, Ray Peterson, 970-737-0385.
6:00 p.m. - Glen Haven -
Frank & May Crone host an evening of art, wine & refreshments at the
famous Red Stallion Gallery to support Doug Frisbie from 6 –8 pm. The
gallery is located at 6427 County Road 43 in Glen Haven. State
Representative Alice Madden, the Democratic Caucus Leader, is the guest
speaker. Suggested Donation: $60/person, $100/couple. Contact Frisbie
Headquarters at (970) 577-9556 for more information.
6:00 p.m. - Fort Collins
- CSU home game Tailgating Saturday for Stan Matsunaka, October 2nd, for
homecoming versus BYU. Meet 6pm in Hughes Stadium parking lot and please
call to sign up to help at 970-419-3167.
... and of course ...
6:00 p.m. - Cortez -
Montezuma County Democrats Jefferson / Jackson Dinner at the Cortez Elks
Club. Guests are Ken Salazar, John Salazar, Andrew Romanoff,
and Harry Truman (as portrayed by ... ME!). This is the PLACE TO
BE Saturday night if you are on the Western Slope. Tickets are $25.00.
Call Earl Rohrbaugh for reservations, 970-565-1201. Cocktails at
6:00; Dinner at 7:00.
Sunday, October 3:
9:00 a.m. -
Denver - Massive sign blitz
for Rep. Alice Borodkin. Signs and instructions available at Rep.
Borodkin's house, 8101 East Dartmouth Ave, Denver.
1:00 p.m. - Fort Collins
- Ken Salazar Call-A-Thon from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please RSVP if you
can help out ASAP! We need help calling all of those undecided and
unaffiliated voters! (Our number is 970-224-2376 or email me at
heeland@salazarforcolorado.com)
2:00 p.m. - Pueblo -
Precinct Walking for Buffie McFadyen. Meet at the Conoco Loaf n
Jug on Troy and Hwy 50 East on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and walk until 6:00
p.m.
4:00 p.m. - Lamar -
Prowers County Democratic Headquarters Open House Party. 207 South
Main, Lamar.
6:00 p.m. - Durango -
Help a Friend off the Fence Free Abbey Movie Night. Two Showings,
one at 6:30 (food at 6:00) and another at 8:30. Bring an undecided
friend, or simply learn more yourself about John Kerry. 128 East
College Drive, Durango.
VOTER FILE UPDATE
From the State Party's
Voter File Vendor: We have updated the online Colorado Voterfile
with a new version with new data for all of Colorado's 64 counties.
2,956,977 individuals,
1,845,666 households. There were 2,831,501 voters in the previous
file.
We have made every effort
to match voters from the previous list to the current list, and to
therefore maintain any private lists, ID's, etc that were attached to
the file. However, because voters move, die, change their names, change
the spelling of their names, we cannot match all voters between the old
and new files. A loss of 10% from a list would not be unusual.
We are currently obtaining
NCOA (postal change of address) to correct mailing addresses (not
residence addresses) for people who have moved. People who have moved
out of state or left no forwarding address will be automatically deleted
from mailing lists, but not from other lists.
As we approach the
election, we will be adding information on absentee ballot requests and
returned ballots to the system. You will be able to select people who
are (or are not) on the absentee lists and people who have not returned
their ballot yet.
KERRY TO COLORADO TO PREPARE
FOR DEBATES:
Candidate says he “shares the determination
that Coloradoans have in getting this country moving in the right
direction”
Denver – The Kerry-Edwards Campaign announced
that John Kerry has chosen Colorado as the site of his second debate
preparations. Kerry will spend time in Arapahoe County in the days
leading up to the St. Louis debate on Friday, October 8th. The debate
will be a town hall format, focusing on domestic issues. Colorado was
chosen because of its record job losses under Bush, soaring healthcare
costs, strong commitment to caring for our troops, and Kerry’s
determination to win this traditionally red state.
“I look forward to being back in Colorado next
week,” John Kerry said. “There is no place I’d rather be in advance of
the 2nd presidential debate. I share the determination that Coloradoans
have in getting this country moving in the right direction after four
years of wrong choices by George W. Bush. Together, we will set a new
course with new and better jobs, quality, affordable health care and a
plan to fight a tougher, smarter, more effective war on terror.”
The Kerry-Edwards Campaign in Colorado is
already known for having one of the strongest grass-roots efforts in the
country. “Next week’s visit will raise the fever pitch of our
grass-roots supporters who are working day and night to send Kerry to
the White House” said Steve Haro, Communications Director. “John Kerry
understands that these will be the toughest debates of his life, and we
are thrilled that he’s chosen Colorado as the place to prepare for the
challenge of meeting the President head-on to discuss his plans for
making America stronger at home and more respected in the world.”
Upcoming Events:
Because of the detail
required above, and time constraints, no upcoming events are printed
this month. Look for the return of this feature next month.
To see last month's newsletter, go to:
www.danslaterlaw.com/dems/index1.html
Office of the State
Party Secretary
Phone: 719-269-3315
Fax: 719-269-3317
Email:
dslater@coloradodems.org
831 Royal Gorge Blvd., Suite 217
Cañon City, Colorado
81212
State Party
Headquarters
777 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Colorado
80204
303-623-4762
Http://www.coloradodems.org