In This Issue
- Announcements!
- Upcoming Events
- Things You Should Know
- Volunteer Now!
- Welcome to Our New Members!
| Your Nominations Needed!
The Nominating Committee of the League of Women Voters of Larimer County is seeking input from members for candidates to fill three seats on our Board beginning July 1, 2026. Board terms are two years. If you are interested in joining the Board, please share your interest with the Nominating Committee by Monday, February 23. You are also welcome to propose another League member. However, we request that you confirm with the member that they are interested in serving before submitting their name.
The Nominating Committee will contact each member during the month of March. Nominating Committee members include Heather Sulgrove, Janet Schultz, and Trish Warner.
Thanks for your support and participation in this task! | A Gentle Reminder about Newsletter Submissions
It is a good time to remind all members who submit content to the newsletter to please review and follow the Submission Style Guidelines available in the League Lines Folder in the Document Library. The guidelines outline formatting requirements, content expectations, and—most importantly—submission due dates. Meeting deadlines help ensure a smooth editorial process and allows us to publish on time. Submissions received after the stated deadlines may need to be held for a future issue. | League Issues Teams: Follow Legislation in Your Area
The Colorado Legislative session has started!! It’s time for our Issues Teams to discuss how to track bills in the Colorado Legislature for the 2026 session. This work is important for our League to stay informed and be ready to provide nonpartisan advocacy when needed. Team actions might include:
• tracking bills
• monitoring committee hearings and votes
• discussing updates with the team
• using state-level Task Forces to gain additional information in your issue area
• sharing timely updates with the membership
• responding to calls for action via LWV Colorado Action Alerts
Why does this work matter? Because it strengthens the League’s ability to advocate for accountable government and policies that support our democracy.
Make this discussion part of your next meeting!
| Strategic Plan Focus Group Session
Engaging Young Voters
Tuesday, February 17
4:00 p.m. via Zoom
The Board is in the process of updating the League’s strategic plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This session will review activities to date and discuss other options to strategically engage young voters.
Register here! | Talking with Children About Climate Science
Tuesday, February 17
7:00 p.m.
CSU’s Science Moms will hold a Fireside Chat Discussion about “Talking With Children (of all ages) About the Climate Emergency.” Bring your questions. Also, bring tips to share about what has worked for you in discussions with children (of all ages). Register on the League calendar or the poster links below. Invite others to join us at the virtual fireside session! | Engaging Community in Environmental Public Health
Thursday, February 19
4:00 p.m.
|  | Civil Liberties and Rights Team Reboot Meeting
Saturday, February 21
12:30 p.m.
Harmony Public Library
You are invited to participate in the first planning meeting of the Larimer County Civil Liberties and Rights Team at 12:30 on Saturday, February 21, at the Harmony Public Library, 4616 S. Shields Street.
As we reboot this group, we seek to identify local and regional threats to civil liberties and determine how we can take meaningful, collective action to defend them. Our goal is to be an action-oriented committee – educating the public about their rights while also responding concretely to democratic challenges as they arise in our community. The Civil Liberties Team will work closely with the United & Rise initiative on various efforts aimed at protecting civil liberties.
Please take time to fill out the survey linked here to let us know how you would like to take action with the LWVLC Civil Liberties Team. Please send in your responses before Wednesday, February 18, so that we have time to review and consider your answers. It should take no more than 5-10 minutes of your time. We will share the agenda ahead of the meeting with all who RSVP.
We hope you will join us in strengthening the protection of civil liberties in Larimer County – for this generation and those to follow. | Strategic Plan Focus Group Session
Engage Members as Leaders
Tuesday, February 26
3:00 p.m. via Zoom
The Board is in the process of updating the League’s strategic plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Join us for this focus group session during which we will review actions to date and discuss other strategies for engaging members as leaders of League teams and administrative/support activities.
Register here!
| In League with Kindred Spirits (Unite & Rise 8.5)
Thursday, February 26
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Grimm Brothers Taproom, Loveland
kin·dred spir·it
/ˌkindrəd ˈspirət/
noun
plural noun: kindred spirits
1. a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to one's own.
Do you long for a Kindred Spirit? Then the League has the perfect solution! Join us on Thursday, Feb 26, 4:30-6 pm, at Grimm Brothers Taproom + Kitchen, Loveland’s oldest operating brewery. Savor a good beverage and engage with some like-minded Leaguers. Register on the calendar and feel free to bring a friend!
|  | In Memoriam - Sarah Pitts
With great sadness, we share the passing on February 1 of one of our League’s leaders, Sarah Pitts.
Sarah was an active member of the Environmental Team, with a specific interest in water. She served on the Administrative Team (now called the Board of Directors) and as Spokesperson. With her background as an attorney, she started the behind-the-scenes process for our conversion to a 501(c) 3 organization.
Many will remember her welcoming and friendly smile, her good humor, and generous hospitality extended in opening her home for countless League meetings. A true ambassador for the League, she encouraged members to deeper involvement. She will be dearly missed by all who were privilegedto work alongside her.
She has requested contributions may to the LWVUS Education Fund. Sympathy to her family may be sent to her daughter, Emily Kelley, 2532 Tucker Ct. Fort Collins, CO 80526. | Results of First Ranked Choice Election
Eric Fried, known as the “Father of Ranked Voting”, discussed with the Election Reform team the results of first ranked voting election in Fort Collins. Eric was co-chair of a ranked voting committee, starting in 2009. They ran our first ballot issue to bring ranked voting to Fort Collins, failing at the ballot box in 2011.
You can watch the video recording of our discussion with Eric here.
In 2022, Fort Collins voters passed a ballot issue with 58% of the vote to use ranked voting in our municipal elections. In 2025, the County Clerk’s office did a great job running our first ranked voting election. Please watch the video to get a deeper look into the results of the election.
The Election Reform Team meets the 4th Tuesday of the month via Zoom, 4pm. You can get the Zoom link on the League calendar. We look forward to you joining us!
Co-Chairs Kathleen Schmidt & Sara Tarr
| Volunteer Opportunities!
Log into the website and take a look at those areas looking for volunteers on our Volunteer page. In addition to those noted, we are currently in need of individuals who would like to become the editor/publisher of either League Lines or Mid-Month Update.
| Welcome to our New Members!
Teresa Boynton
Martha Grady
Kelly Hillburn
Carol Klingensmith
Kathryn Petersen
Andrea Schumacher
Michele Thomas
Owen Unangst
Susan Zuckerman
You can find contact information on these individuals here or in the Member Lookup feature in the Member Resources section of the website. (You must sign in to the website to find the Member Resources tab.) You will also find a bio on new member Mary Humstone!
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