In This Issue
- HANDS OFF! Protest, April 5
- Protecting a Free Press
- Medicaid Cuts & Local Impact, April 14
- Federal Judiciary Study: Last Chance!
- Health District Election Information
- News from Our Issues Teams & Education Groups
- Things You Should Know
| | The LWV is one of a large group of organizations sponsoring a massive HANDS OFF! demonstration across the country on April 5 to protest the dismantling of our democracy by the current administration. Events will be in Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Denver, and elsewhere in Colorado. Choose a location and join in! Recruit friends! The more people, the more power!
| | | | League-Wide News and Events | E-Mail Scam Alert
On several occasions this past month, some of our members have received emails purporting to be from League President Pat Burger when they were instead email-spoofing fraud. Email spoofing is a malicious practice in which attackers forge the sending address of an email, making it appear as if the message originates from a trusted source, when it actually doesn't.
Please be alert to suspicious emails purporting to be sent by Pat Burger or another trusted League member. Take a moment to confirm the true source before replying to the email, opening any attachments, or taking any requested action. You might try "mousing over" the sender information to verify the sender is who they claim to be, or you can call Pat to confirm the email you received came from her.
| | News Access and Literacy Task Force
Wednesday, April 2
6:30-7:30 pm on Zoom
On April 2, the News Access and Literacy Task Force will host a Zoom discussion entitled Defending Democracy: Protecting against efforts to dismantle a free press. Dr. David Wolfgang, Associate Professor of Journalism and Media Communication at Colorado State University, will lead the discussion that will cover ongoing threats to our free press and democracy and what we as citizens can do to counter these threats.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Please register here to receive the Zoom link for this important meeting.
| | | Affordable Housing Team Partners on Habitat Build Day
The League of Women Voters of Larimer County is partnering with Loveland Habitat for Humanity for a Build Day on Saturday, April 5th, at Primrose Dr/Hammond Place. Visit the Event Calendar to register for a morning shift (8:00 am-Noon) or afternoon shift (11:00 am-3:00 pm). The Build Day is open to the public. No skills or experience are required and all tools, equipment, and training will be provided.
| | Medicaid Cuts and Local Impact
hosted by the Health Care Team
Join us for the April 14 General Meeting to learn how Medicaid cuts will impact our health care in Larimer County.
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) will provide an overview of the budget and situation statewide and local health care providers will share the impact on access to primary health care, behavioral health care, and beyond. Register here.
| | | Health Care Team News
Presentation: The Health Care Team will host the LWVLC's monthly general meeting on April 14th, offering a presentation and panel discussion on how anticipated federal cuts to Medicaid funding are expected to impact local health care. As background, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) data shows that Medicaid/CHP+ affects a half-million Coloradans, including older adults, people living with disabilities, family care providers, children, pregnant people and families. CCHI states that Medicaid is highly efficient and cost-effective compared to other health care programs. It's vital to sustain hospitals, safety-net clinics, community behavioral health care providers, and rural providers. Join the Zoom meeting on the 14th to learn more.
Legislation: A bill moving through the General Assembly, SB25-045 Health-Care Payment System Analysis, concerns the analysis of a statewide universal health-care payment system. The League strongly supports this legislation that would advance a system of care that would be publicly financed and privately delivered. The study process will build on the data obtained through HB19-1176, the Health Care Cost Saving Act of 2019, which demonstrated that a universal single-payer system would cover everyone with better care for less money. The new data will explore the feasibility of such a system specific to Colorado. It recently passed the House Health and Human Services Committee and now rests with the Finance Committee before it will be voted on by the entire House. Please consider contacting your state legislators and asking for their support.
Team Meeting: Join us on April 10, 11:30-1:00, for our team meeting, when we will finalize details for the two priorities above, discuss the upcoming election of board members for the Health District of Northern Colorado, and progress of key gun safety legislation. Register HERE or contact Sue Taigman.
| Great Decisions Discussion Group
Upcoming Zoom meeting: April 7 at 11:30.
We will discuss: U.S.-China Relations, Chapter 3 in the 2025 Great Decisions book.
Washington's relations with Beijing have reached an ominous low ebb. Both American political parties have identified China as the country's preeminent geopolitical challenger and, in the eyes of many, a systemic threat. What is driving this deterioration of Sino-American relations and what are America's strategic options in the face of Chinese power and ambition?
A Zoom invitation will be sent to all previous participants.
If you are new to Great Decisions and wish to participate, contact Annette DeMartine at ademartine@prolynx.com.
Great Decisions meetings are held on the first Monday of each month from February to June and October to December.
| LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study Consensus
Last Chance to Participate is April 8!
What could be more timely than League members discussing the third branch of our government when the federal court system is in the news daily??
Join local members to discuss the Federal Judiciary this month:
Tuesday, April 8
2:00-3:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
533 Grant Ave, Loveland
Come prepared by reviewing the study resources on our website, including the recording of our February 24 local discussion with Eric Waples. You might also watch the excellent LWV Denver March 4 webinar "A 101 of the Federal Judiciary" for an 80-minute review of the federal court system.
The consensus process is essential to the development of League position statements that reflect the views of our members. For this grassroots process to be effective, we need as many members as possible to prepare for the consensus meetings and join in the discussion. Register on the Calendar and come have your say!
Our Larimer County study team is looking forward to seeing you!
Questions? Co chairs: Linda Mahan Lmahan78@gmail.com and Kathy Maher kgmaher@gmail.com, Carole Carnahan, Barbara Rutstein and Jerry Wilson
| Voter Services Team Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30-8:30 PM
Online meeting on Zoom
Voter Services Team Leadership
The Voter Services Team is looking for one or more individuals to take over the Team Lead role. This position involves setting monthly meetings and agendas, managing the budget, keeping up with team communication, and ensuring that the team has the information and resources it needs to succeed. If you think this might be a good opportunity for you, please contact Heather Sulgrove at hsulgrove@gmail.com.
Candidate Forum for Health District Election
The Voter Services Team will be hosting a Candidate Forum on Thursday, April 3, at 7:00 pm at the Fort Collins City Council Chambers, 300 LaPorte Ave. The forum will also be broadcast live on FCTV, Comcast channel 14 or Connexion channel 14, and at https://www.fcgov.com/fctv/. This forum will be recorded and posted to the website and to Vote411.org. Candidate information will be available soon at Vote411.org.
Voter Registration Update
The Voter Services Team is happy to report that 10 of our volunteers registered 17 new naturalized US citizens following their swearing-in ceremony at Dunn Elementary on March 7. Seven others took home registration forms and one planned to register online. It was a joy to see democracy in action. During this new calendar year, five volunteer leads have organized six registration events, mostly at local high schools. Other events took place in late March and more are planned for April. Anyone interested in helping who has not completed the 2025 training can contact Mary Carraher at marycarraher@comcast.net to proceed.
For voter registration information contact Mary Carraher.
| Informed Citizen Book Club
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM In-person meeting, 2nd Wednesday of the month.
7:00 - 8:30 PM Zoom meeting, 2nd Wednesday of the month.
Morning attendees meet at Epic Egg, 1477 E Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland (new location).
Please join us for a lively discussion of our April book on April 9th.
Our book is The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos by Mark Easter, illustrated by Liam O'Farrell.
Ecologist Mark Easter offers a detailed picture of the impact the foods you love have on the earth. Organized by the ingredients of a typical dinner party, including seafood, salad, bread, chicken, steak, potatoes, and fruit pie with ice cream, each chapter examines the food through the lens of the climate crisis. What can you do to eat more sustainably? Food lovers everywhere will be happy to know that the answer is not necessarily a plant-based diet. For each food group, Easter offers not recipes but low-carbon, in-season alternatives that make your favorite foods not only more sustainable, but also more delicious.
Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
| South Larimer Discussion Group
Next meeting: April 16, 7:00 pm via Zoom
At the next meeting of the South Larimer Discussion Group on April 16, Jeff Stahla of Northern Water will provide a presentation on the status of the Chimney Hollow reservoir project in west Loveland as the yearslong dam construction now nears completion. Jeff will cover background information on what motivated the project, the project participants (eventual water recipients), and the timeline for filling the reservoir and putting it into use for both water needs and recreation.
|  | Earth Year 2025
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Fifty-five years later, and in the midst of a global climate crisis, our Environmental Team (ET) invites you to balance our activism with a continuation of celebrating the only Earth we live on. Instead of a single Earth Day, a member reminds us, "Every day is Earth Day." Here are some local celebrations ET invites you to:
Our Informed Citizen Book Clubs' April read is The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos by local author and CSU ecologist Mark J. Easter. It is a beautifully illustrated book of regenerative agriculture, compost, carbon footprint, food groups, stewards of the land -- and hope. Register for either discussion in the morning (in person) or evening (Zoom) on the calendar for April 9.
At a hybrid Community Conversation on June 9, the ET is sponsoring Dr. Easter to talk about his writing and his realization that YOU can be part of the solution by "each person just saving one little piece of earth at a time." His book will be available for purchase at this meeting.
More information coming on these ET collaborative celebrations:
-- Earth Day, Saturday, April 19, 11:00-5:00, City Civic Park, Fort Collins;
-- Fort Collins EcoFest NoCo (pollinator-friendly) Plant Exchange & Xeriscape Garden Party on June 14, 10:00-1:00 at Washington Park;
-- Poudre River Fest on August 9, 12:00-5:00 pm at New Belgium Brewery, Fort Collins.
Stop by the LWVLC/ET table to say hi and bring the family!
If you can volunteer for a 2-hour block of time or more at the table for any of the above celebrations, please contact Jane Hamburger, mjbhamburger@gmail.com.
| Orientation to the League
Saturday, April 26, 2:00-3:30 pm
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
2000 S Lemay Ave, Fort Collins 80525
New and prospective members are invited to learn about our history, mission, and program priorities. We'll offer opportunities for involvement and answer questions. We'll begin with informal conversation and refreshments and the chance to meet each other. RSVP by April 23 on the Calendar. Carpooling can be arranged.
| Affordable Housing Team: Zoom with Us April 28!
"Pathways to Stability: Supportive Housing Solutions" will be hosted by the Affordable Housing Team from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Monday, April 28. We urge League members and all other interested parties to learn more about this program that provides a path forward for those persons who face great challenges as they struggle for stability.
Difficult issues faced by people experiencing homelessness often include chronic illness, physical disability, and substance abuse, but with the help of community services and counseling, they again build independent living skills. The National Alliance to End Homelessness believes permanent supportive housing is a cost-effective solution, shown to lower public costs associated with the use of crisis services such as shelters, hospitals, jails, and prisons.
The League meeting, facilitated by Ruth Long, former Program Manager, Larimer County Office on Aging, will feature panelists from the Fort Collins Housing Catalyst, which operates Red Tail Ponds and Masson Place; Loveland Housing Authority, which operates The Edge for veterans; and Catholic Charities, which built and operates St. Valentine's Apartments in Loveland.
| | LARIMER CAPITOL WATCH
The LWVLC Legislative Action Team is following the work being done in the state legislature related to the codification of Amendment 79. Three bills were introduced that relate to reproductive rights and are of great concern/interest to League members. The LWVCO Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is in support of all three.
Colorado Amendment 79 was a constitutional amendment that appeared on the November 5, 2024, ballot. The amendment established a right to abortion in the Constitution of Colorado and repealed a constitutional ban on public funding for abortions. The amendment passed, surpassing the 55% supermajority vote required for the amendment to be approved. (Wikipedia)
| | |
In order to implement Amendment 79, it needs to be codified. This means arranging laws or rules into a formal system or code for people to follow as the Amendment is enacted.
Three bills are before the Colorado State Legislature to accomplish this:
SB25-183 Coverage or Pregnancy-Related Services: Amendment 79 repealed a previous state constitutional amendment that prohibited the use of public funds for abortion. This bill makes changes to state law concerning abortion care to bring statutes into alignment with Amendment 79 provisions.
SB25-129 Legally Protected Health-Care Activity Protections: This bill strengthens protections for legally protected health care activity including gender approving and reproductive health care.
SB25-130 Providing Emergency Medical Services: This bill requires an emergency department, including labor and delivery departments, to provide emergency medical services by a qualified medication provider to a patient who presents to the emergency department. Records must be kept about the case.
Details of each of these bills are available online. On the LWVLC website homepage, click on the dropdown menu titled "Our Work." Click on "Education Groups," and then click on "Legislative Action." Scroll down the page to "Legislative Update" and click on "Master Bill Tracker and Issue Area Bills." When the new page opens, click on the "Master Bill Tracker" button. A page will open with all the bills for which the LAC has taken a stance. Scroll down the page to see the bills that have been introduced so far in the Senate this session, indicated by the prefix SB25. When you find the number of the bill you want to read more about (e.g., SB25-183), click on the bill number. The detailed description will open. It contains important and interesting information. Good hunting!
For more information on the status of bills in the General Assembly, contact Kathy Wilson.
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TYSK (Things You Should Know) | Save the Date!
Women's Equality Day Celebration
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Sweet Heart Winery, Loveland
Keynote Speaker: Kelly Evans, Executive Director, Neighbor to Neighbor
Watch for more details in upcoming newsletters.
| Get Ready to Upgrade Your League Website Password!
Strong passwords are important. Strong passwords make it more difficult for hackers to crack a password and gain access to our website.
For your protection, the LWVLC Board of Directors has decided to require "strong" passwords for our ClubExpress website, effective June 1, 2025. As of that date, each member password must have a minimum length of 12 characters, with each password containing at least one lowercase letter, uppercase letter, number, and special character. If your password does not meet those requirements, you will be prompted to change it before you will be able to log in.
You can change your password at any time. If you have any questions or issues with changing your password, please contact our Website Team at webmaster@lwv-larimercounty.org.
| Recording Available from March 24 Special Meeting
Thank you to all who attended the March 24 Special Meeting, where we voted on the LWVCO proposed position on separation of church and state. Of those voting, 97.1 percent were in favor of the position. Our President, Pat Burger, will now cast a vote for our League at the state level.
At this Special Meeting, the Affordable Housing Team also discussed its proposal for concurrence with the affordable housing position of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico. Attendees expressed strong support for the concurrence and offered additional topics for future study by the Affordable Housing Team.
| Health District Board of Directors Election
-Candidate Forum April 3
-Request ballots by April 29
-Vote/Return ballot by May 6, 7:00 pm
The Health District of Northern Larimer County provides dental care, behavioral health care, and assistance with health insurance enrollment and literacy. It is a special tax district created by voters in 1960 to serve community health needs. The district boundaries span the northern two-thirds of Larimer County, including Fort Collins, Laporte, Timnath, Wellington, Livermore, and Red Feather Lakes. The Health District is primarily supported by local property tax dollars and is governed by its publicly elected, five-member Board of Directors. Three Board members will be elected on May 6th.
You will need to request an absentee ballot if you want to mail in your vote. To request a ballot, either call the District at 970-224-5209, or download, complete, and submit an application, which you can find here.
The deadline to request a ballot is Tuesday, April 29, by 5:00 PM.
Absentee ballots will be mailed out on April 14. Completed ballots need to be returned by May 6 at 7:00 PM.
The Voter Services Team is hosting a Health District Candidate Forum on April 3 at the Fort Collins City Council Chambers, 300 LaPorte Ave. The forum will also be broadcast live on FCTV, Comcast Channel 14 or Connexion Channel 14, and at fcgov.com/fctv/. This forum will be recorded and posted to the website and to Vote411.org. Candidate information will be available soon at Vote411.org.
| Get to Know The Women's Foundation of Colorado, an LWVLC Partner
Equal Pay Day was on March 25 this year and, in recognition of that date, the Women's Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) team wants to remind the Colorado community of the Equal Pay resources and research that the organization provides. These resources might be of interest to LWVLC members. Download the Equal Pay Guides for employees, job seekers, and employers to learn how you're protected under Colorado law. Share these resources with the women in your life and your workplace – because when we all know our rights, we can close the gap for ALL Colorado women. | |