In This Issue
- Labor Day Rallies TODAY!
- LWVLC Fall Meeting - SEP 15
- Tour CSU Powerhouse with Environmental Team
- Ways to Help our Voter Services Team This Election Season
- Upcoming Meetings of Our Issues Teams & Education Groups
- Membership News
- Community Event: Learning Series on Immigration
- Opportunity Calling
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Two rallies in Fort Collins:
1) 50501 "We're Over It" Rally in Fort Collins, SEP 1, 10:30 - 12:30, College & Mulberry
2) Billionaire Boycott Rally, SEP 1, 10:00 - 12:00, College Ave in front of Whole Foods
| | LEAGUE-WIDE NEWS AND EVENTS | Fall Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Larimer County
Stronger Together
Monday, September 15
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fort Collins Senior Center
Mark your calendar now for the League’s Fall Meeting at the Fort Collins Senior Center!
The theme for this year’s meeting is “Stronger Together.” Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a light taco dinner and then visit tables offered by our teams and education groups. We encourage you to join one or more of the groups! We will also have a ranked-choice voting activity and a sign-up sheet where you can help support the essential administrative activities of our League.
At 7:15, our Election Reform Team will present on the important topic of ranked-choice voting and its importance in the Fort Collins city elections this fall. A short business meeting will follow, and we will wrap up at 8:00 p.m.
This meeting is in-person only because of the nature of the evening’s activities. You can register HERE.
| Special Thanks!
The Women’s Equality Day Celebration at the Sweet Heart Winery was a great success thanks to all our sponsors, Silent Auction donors, and attendees!! Guest count was about 110 and monies raised after expenses is about $10,000. This is the LWV-LC's only annual fundraiser and this amount raised will ensure that all the work our teams do can continue. So know your support is vital to these efforts!!
Kristin Stephens and Anne Thompson were honored for the work they have done and continue to do to protect the voting rights of all and to protect the rights of women.
A special thank you to the planning team: Becky Peters, Claire Clemens, Julie Stackhouse, Kathy Maher, Jim Sawyer, Marge Norskog, Trish Warner, Ann Keith, Karyl Rice, Angel Kearns, Kate Garland, and the volunteers who helped set up prior to the start of the evening. Without all their efforts this event could not have happened!
| Ever Wonder What Goes On Here?
This is the Powerhouse of the CSU Energy Institute. This 1930s historical building was the City of FC’s coal-powered plant until it was retired and became CSU’s large engines research lab in the 1990s.
The Environmental Team’s September meeting will be a Powerhouse tour to see one of the largest energy research labs in the world. Their findings on clean and sustainable energy are used both locally to internationally.
Register on our calendar. Bring an interested friend.
Wednesday, September 10, 10:00-11:30.
Please visit the Environmental Team table at our Fall Meeting on Monday, Sept. 15.
Every LWVLC member lives in this Environment. How do you want to help?
| Civil Liberties & Rights Team
Larimer League’s Civil Liberties & Rights Team will resume its monthly meetings on Wednesday, September 10, at noon on Zoom. Because so much is happening that challenges US citizens' rights and constitutionally protected liberties, our goal will be to narrow down our team’s focus/foci for the coming months. What areas are most pertinent for the citizens of Larimer County and what can we do to achieve our goals related to them?
All League members and guests are welcome.
We look forward to your ideas and suggestions!
Jerry and Kathy Wilson
Co-Chairs, CL&R
| Voter Services Team Meeting
Voter Services is very busy with voter education:
- Candidate Forums in Fort Collins and Loveland
- Ballot pamphlet preparation and presentations
- Vote411.org - answers from the candidates
- Ranked Choice Voting in Fort Collins
- eBook Voter Guide for libraries
- Voter education and registration at high schools
WE COULD USE YOUR HELP with the following tasks!
1. Delivering ballot-issues pamphlets and assist with ballot-issues presentations;
2. Delivering Ranked Choice Voting and Vote411 door hangers to ALL doors in Fort Collins;
3. Candidate forum help - moderator, question sorter, timer, usher needed for these forums:
Fort Collins, Sept 29 (evening) - City Council candidates
Fort Collins, Oct 1 (evening) - Fort Collins Mayor candidates
Fort Collins, Oct 6 (evening) - Poudre School District School Board candidates
Loveland City Council candidates - date not set
Thompson School District School Board candidates - date not set
PLEASE FIND A WAY TO HELP!!
Candidate Forums: Contact Judith Weaver at Judyannw_6@msn.com
Ballot-issues pamphlets: Contact Anne Hall at annemhall71@gmail.com
Door Hanger Brigade: Contact Janet Schultz at jtorreyschultz@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE:
October LWVLC General Meeting - Ballot Issues Presentation by VST
Tuesday, October 7, 6:30-8:00 PM. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr.
Information regarding Fort Collins, Loveland, and Larimer County ballot issues
NEXT VST MEETING: Please join us at our in-person meeting Saturday morning, September 13, 9:30-11:30 AM, at the Old Town Library, 201 Peterson Street, Fort Collins, in the Small Meeting Room. | News Access & Literacy News
The League of Women Voters believes that barrier-free access to news is essential to making democracy work. In light of the continuing assault on our free press, the News Access and Literacy Task Force would like to alert you to the following:
Free Press, Free Country campaign and documentary will show that 'journalism is not partisan, it's patriotic'
Fast Forward Films this week launched Free Press, Free Country, a campaign to educate Coloradans about the critical importance of strong, independent journalism in a democracy. The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition is serving as the fiscal sponsor and as an advisor for the project.
9NEWS anchor Kyle Clark introduced the initiative on his Next program Thursday evening, showing viewers a short video about the First Amendment narrated by recent Colorado College graduate Jessica Duran. He plans to show additional segments each Thursday through early November, when 9NEWS will air a documentary focused on Colorado journalists at work.
| 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 will meet at Epic Egg, 1477 E Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland, CO 80537.
Please join us for a lively discussion of our September book on September 10th:
Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers by Zeke Hernandez
Immigration is one of the most controversial topics in the United States and everywhere else. Pundits, politicians, and the public usually depict immigrants as either villains or victims. The villain narrative is that immigrants pose a threat—to our economy because they steal our jobs; to our way of life because they change our culture; and to our safety and laws because of their criminality. The victim argument tells us that immigrants are needy outsiders—the poor, huddled masses whom we must help at our own cost if necessary. But the data clearly debunks both narratives. From jobs, investment, and innovation to cultural vitality and national security, more immigration has an overwhelmingly positive impact on everything that makes a society successful. In this book, Wharton professor Zeke Hernandez draws from nearly 20 years of research to answer all the big questions about immigration.
Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
| Health Care Team Meeting
September 11, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Heart of the Rockies Church
6501 Brittany St, Fort Collins
You are invited to our upcoming Health Care Team meeting on September 11th. We will continue discussing how to strengthen our local impact by partnering with other community organizations including the Health District of Northern Larimer County, the Board of Health, SummitStone Health Partners, Fort Collins Area Interfaith Council, and Larimer County Behavioral Health Services. We will follow up with a plan to actively connect with these partners. Planning will continue for our table at the Annual Fall Meeting on September 15th. Other standing agenda items include advancing access to affordable care, promoting public health, and preventing gun violence. Please register here: Health Care Team Meeting - 9/11/2025. We look forward to seeing you there!
| In Memoriam
With great sadness we remember the passing of two Honorary Members this month, who were members for over 50 years.
Judy Sorbie-Dunn (April 12, 1932- July 22, 2025) Judy joined the League as a young mother in Fort Collins at the urging of her friends Nona Thayer and Jean Weitz. She juggled her family, career as a graphic and landscape artist, and activism in land use development in the early days of local land use planning in Fort Collins. Her later chapter in the League was with the Healthcare Committee where her design of an educational brochure for the League was key in our advocacy. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Lindenwood Picnic area, 1600 Lindenwood Drive, Fort Collins 80524 - plenty of parking available. Please RSVP to Marge Catt if you plan to attend no later than Sept 15th. Text message to 757-784-5845 or email to mandmhayfarm@gmail.com.
Jean Griswold (October 6, 1929 - August 20, 2025) Jean was a loyal League supporter during her long career with CSU’s International Office. With her husband, Bill, they held Sunday morning waffle breakfasts at 8 am sharp for over 50 years, providing a “soft” landing for international students and community supporters. Memories of these breakfasts and the friendships forged are treasured by a network of people worldwide. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at CSU in October at a date to be decided. | League Name Tags - The necklace name tags will continue to be available at League General Meetings this year. For members who would like to have a magnetic name tag, the cost is $10. If you would like to order one, please send your name and request to Linda Mahan at membership@lwv-larimercounty.org by September 15. After the tags are ready for pickup members will be notified and pay for theirs through our League’s website.
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COMMUNITY EVENT OF INTEREST
|  | APPLICATION CALL:
2025 Citizen's Academy
District Attorney, 8th Judicial District
The 8th Judicial District DA's Office has invited our LWV members and other area residents to submit applications for the 2025 Citizen's Academy. It is a great way to gain a deep understanding of the criminal justice system in Larimer County. The DA's Office hosts this class each year to share with the community what happens inside the Justice Building. From how plea offers are made to how offenders with addictions are treated, the DA's Office wants community members to ask questions and learn more about these topics.
This course will take place on the following dates in Fort Collins.
Tuesday, September 30th| 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 2nd| 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7th| 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 9th| 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 14th| 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 16th| 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21st| 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, October 23rd| 6-8 p.m.
For questions or more information, contact:
Kylie Massman
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist
Office of the District Attorney
Eighth Judicial District
Phone 970-498-7168
|  | WANTED: Members who love walking and Ranked Choice Voting!
This coming fall, there is a win-win volunteer opportunity! Achieve your daily 10,000 steps while helping educate Fort Collins residents about the upcoming use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in November's municipal elections by joining the LWV-LC "Door Hanger Brigade."
In partnership with the City Clerk's Office, our League will be coordinating an effort to place city-produced RCV educational hangers along with LWVLC-produced Vote411 informational hangers on door knobs across Fort Collins. Walk your own neighborhood or blanket a designated area targeted by LWV, or do both! Door hang with friends or be a solo act! Complete your assigned territory over the course of a few weeks or make it happen in a day -- your choice!
This campaign will occur from mid-September to October 15. Training and materials provided. It is not necessary to be a Fort Collins resident to help. A smooth rollout of RCV in Fort Collins benefits all of us who love promoting voter access and education!
Contact Janet Schultz to sign up for this fun, healthy, and meaningful effort!
| Democracy’s Urgent Call– A Poetry Anthology by Members of the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters of Ozaukee and Washington Counties, WI, and the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee, WI, have announced plans to compile a national poetry anthology featuring 100 poems by League members across the country. The effort is intended to express the love of League members for Democracy and is inspired by artist Niki Johnson’s Pillars of Democracy.
If you are interested in representing our League by contributing to this effort, you can find more information HERE.
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