 |  | | Fort Collins Cancels Flock Contract
FTC Council votes to cancel its Flock surveillance camera contract after citizen and LWV-LC advocacy
June 16, 2026
On June 16, 2026, Fort Collins City Council voted to “stop collection of Flock data immediately and initiate contract cancellation, as well as remove the cameras as expeditiously as possible. And furthermore, not to put in any new RFPs for similar technology until after the surveillance policy is completed.”
Starting in January 2026, citizens began speaking to Council about their concerns about surveillance by Flock cameras (installed April 2025). The League of Women Voters of Larimer County joined this advocacy on April 21, 2026, when President Pat Burger made a statement during public comment. Members of the Civil Liberties sub-team on Surveillance Issues in Fort Collins collected data from CORA requests and studied public resources. They spoke regularly at council meetings and attended council work sessions. The LWV-LC applauds the Fort Collins City Council for their careful listening and consideration of the concerns raised by citizens and FCPD about Flock camera surveillance. Their thoughtful decision-making is a demonstration of the best of democracy at work.
The reason for citizen concern is that automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras (Flock Systems is one vendor) are unique in that they record every vehicle that passes by them and stores that footage for look-ups of vehicles by their license plate and appearance. No state or local legislation specifically governs their use, so implementation and operation are largely controlled by the contract with Flock. There are reported instances of searches that resulted in mistaken identity, illegal searches, and lax security of the system and data — in fact Fort Collins Flock data was discovered on the open internet by a citizen advocate using a popular search engine.
|  | | LWV Strong!
Three counties unite to sponsor a county clerk panel event, seeking volunteers to help.
Wednesday, September 23
Reception: 5:00 - 6:00pm
Panel: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Longmont Museum
Heeding the Kenyan proverb, “Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable”, the Unite & Rise teams from Larimer, Boulder and Weld Counties have decided to join forces to sponsor a panel event in Longmont on Wednesday, September 23 (NOTE DATE CHANGE).
The panel will feature the clerks from each county in a Q & A format and take place at the Longmont Museum. Prior to the event there will be a reception in the Museum’s atrium for members of each league, as well as the public, to mingle and connect.
Our Larimer Unite & Rise team is looking for a few more sticks to join this collective bundle! Please make the collaboration as successful as possible by volunteering to be a helper on one of the following three event teams listed below. We promise the work will be fun, festive and finite (done on the 23rd!). Better yet, you don’t have to lead it, just lend a hand!
• Event Day planning (Contact team lead Pam Franzen). This team will be responsible for working with Boulder and Weld members to plan, organize and execute the reception prior to the panel • Coordinating Ridesharing (Contact team lead Beth DeHaven). This team will recruit and organize drivers to the event from Larimer County. • Marketing/Communication (Contact team lead Janet Schultz). This team will work in conjunction with Weld and Boulder members to advertise the event through social and print media, poster placement, emailing allies and networks, and spreading the word.
|  | GOTV Postcarding!
Sign up to attend League postcard parties to Get Out The Vote
Mid-July to the end of September
Summertime, and postcard parties are here.
Pens are ready, and addresses are gathered.
Oh, you’re eager to help, and bring along friends.
So, yes, dear Leaguer, sign up now.
Postcard parties are now on the League calendar, running from mid-July to the end of September. Registration required. Unite & Rise has set BIG goals: 4,000 cards to Larimer County registered voters who voted in 2022, but did not vote in 2024. Thanks to the following members who volunteered to host a party:
• Nancy Garcia, Tuesday, July 14, 2-4 pm (Loveland)
• Jane Everham, Wednesday, July 15, 3:30-5:30 pm (central Fort Collins)
• Jeanette Meyer, Friday, August 7, 1- 3 pm (Fort Collins Remax office)
• Jane Hamburger, Saturday, August 15, 10 am - noon (Old Town area)
• Becky Peters, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1-3 pm (Loveland)
• Ann Keith, Thursday, Sept. 17, 1-3 pm (Terry Lake area)
• Beth DeHaven, Saturday, Sept. 19, 10-11:30 am (Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Fort Collins)
Feel free to attend more than one party AND friends of the League are welcome, but please make sure they also register due to space limitations.
It is a great way to meet other Leaguers, take satisfying collective action and Get Out The Vote!
If you would rather write from home and/or donate a roll of postcard stamps, please contact Janet Schultz.
| | |
 | | Informed Citizen Book Club For League Lines
A book club discussion of Joyce Vance's Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy
July 8, 2026
10:30am - 12:00pm and 7:00 - 8:30pm
Epic Egg, 1477 E. Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland CO, 80537
Please join us for a lively discussion of our July book on July 8, 2026: Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy by Joyce Vance (2025)
The first book from Joyce White Vance: equal parts civics class, history lesson, and call to save the Republic, Giving Up Is Unforgivable is a political manifesto for our present moment.
“We’re in this together.”
For the past two years, Joyce Vance has signed off posts on her chart-topping Substack, Civil Discourse, with these four words. In that time, she’s guided readers through a continued erosion of democratic norms, the unprecedented felony conviction of an ex-president, and the approaching specter of a second Trump administration. Now that it’s upon us, Vance helps us understand how to avoid burnout and despair and exercise the democratic muscles we need to save the Republic.
Giving Up Is Unforgivable is a clarion call to action—putting our current crisis in historical context and sketching out a vision for where we go next. Vance’s message is hopeful at its heart, even as it acknowledges the daunting challenges that lie ahead.
She is the constitutional law professor you never knew you needed, explaining the legal context, the political history, and the practical reasons that the rule of law still matters, while also empowering you to do something—from the small (that conversation you’ve been meaning to have with your uncle or volunteering for your favorite political cause) to the big (starting a grassroots movement or running for political ofice).
Consider this the birth of a countermovement to Project 2025, a rallying cry for citizen engagement to counter the second Trump administration and save American democracy. (Penguin Random House)
Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
Next IC Book Club Meeting:
August 12 - Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond (2023)
|  | Is Media Ruining America?
A five-part series on combating media disinformation and protecting democracy
Weekly series - July 14 – August 10, 2026
Weeks 1-4: Virtual
Week 5 In Person Heartside Hill Community Bldg,
6514 Brittany Dr, Fort Collins
Join the League of Women Voters of Larimer County when we host a five-part series on the dangers of media disinformation entitled Is Media Ruining America?. In it, we examine the proliferation of fake news and how it’s polarizing the country and threatening our democracy. Our goal is to equip community members with skills needed to recognize media manipulation, reduce political polarization, and protect the integrity of democratic processes.
The five-week series consists of four Zoom sessions and an in-person panel discussion. You can register for the virtual sessions on the Calendar page at lwv-larimercounty.org.
• July 14 (6:30 to 8:00) Week One: How We Got Here. This presentation covers the evolution of media and recent changes brought by deregulation and technology.
• July 21 (6:30 to 8:00) Week Two: Recognizing and Confronting Bias. This presentation covers how to recognize and combat bias on a personal level and in the media.
• July 28 (6:30 to 8:00) Week Three: Surviving the Avalanche of Fake News. This presentation offers tips on how to spot (and avoid) "fake news" and begin to bridge the political divide.
• August 4 (6:30 to 8:00) Week Four : AI and Its Threats to Our Democracy. This presentation offers an introduction to Artificial Intelligence and the dangers it presents to our elections and our democracy.
• August 10 (6:30 to 8:00), Week Five: Expert Panel at Heartside Hill Community Bldg., 6514 Brittany Dr, Fort Collins: This will be a panel discussion of local experts in the online information ecosystem and local news. These experts will help us tie together what we have learned in weeks one through four.
The book True or False, A CIA Analyst's Guide to Spotting Fake News, by Cindy L Otis, ( link to book here) was used as the basis for this program. Although we encourage you to read this book, it is not required to attend and participate in the sessions.
This workshop series was developed by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County.
| | |
| Solidarity Happy Hour!
Celebrate National French Fry Day with Leaguers over drinks and conversation
Friday, July 10
4:30-6:00 pm
Berthoud Brewery in Loveland
On Friday, July 10, from 4:30-6 pm, celebrate National French Fry Day with Leaguers and kindred spirits at Berthoud Brewery in Loveland. Discuss events of the week and French Fry fun facts like:
• This beloved form of the potato likely originated in Belgium, despite its name. Belgians are so irked by the French co-opting the name that they recently petitioned UNESCO to claim French Fries and mayo as their own invention.
• Thomas Jefferson introduced French Fries to America
• The average American consumes 30 pounds of fries a year!
Join us for a beverage, maybe a fry or two and some great conversation at this Solidarity Happy Hour. Register on the League calendar so we can save you a seat. TGIF!
| | | Celebrate Our 2026 Women's Equality Day Honorees
Honoring Larimer County Women Leaders
Wednesday, August 19
5:00 - 7:30pm
The Forge Event Center in Loveland
The League of Women Voters of Larimer County is proud to announce the three local women who will be honored at our annual Women's Equality Day Celebration — recognizing leaders whose service and advocacy have made Larimer County a stronger community and expanded opportunity for others.
This year we celebrate:
Pat Griego, for years of service across many community groups, with a focus on educating the Hispanic community about voting and the rights of citizens and non-citizens alike. She has been described as "a pillar of the community."
Arpi Miller, a founding member of ISAAC (Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition) of Northern Colorado, which has helped hundreds of neighbors navigate the immigration legal process. Arpi advances civic engagement by connecting marginalized community members to resources, rights, and their own power.
Lynn Young, for her work with the League in Larimer County, Estes Park, and at the state level — serving as Spokesperson, League Trainer helping new local Leagues get started, and board member locally and statewide, with leadership in voter education and public-policy advocacy.
The celebration will feature keynote speaker Renee Ferrufino, Executive Director of the Women's Foundation of Colorado, sharing insights on leadership and community engagement.
Join us Wednesday, August 19, from 5–7:30 pm at The Forge Event Center in Loveland.
| Voter Services Team News
The Ballot Issues committee seeks volunteers to help inform voters about November ballot questions.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
6:30 to 8:30 pm
via Zoom
The Ballot Issues committee of Voter Services is getting organized to provide information on the questions that will be on the November ballot. It seems likely that we will have 1-2 local issues and many statewide issues, including some hot topics like a graduated state income tax. We need volunteers to help with drafting summaries of local issues, getting pamphlets printed and distributed and making in-person or Zoom presentations on the ballot issues. We will send an email to those who have helped in the past to check on availability this year, but if we missed you or you want to join our work, please contact Anne Hall and Carol Gertsch. Being involved with our group is a great way to become informed on the issues!
Interested in learning more about all of the things that the Voter Services does? Please join us for our monthly meeting. The next one is Tuesday, July 14, 2026 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm via zoom. Registration will be available on the monthly calendar.
| Civil Liberties & Rights Team Update
Fort Collins ends its Flock surveillance contract as the CL&R Team gears up for new policy advocacy and Election Action Day
Saturday, July 18
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Harmony Library
This month brought unexpectedly good news: the City of Fort Collins has terminated its Flock contract and is giving itself until the end of the year to draft a new citywide surveillance policy.
Marge Norskog, Janice Ort, Terri Paschetag, and many others within and outside the League deserve our thanks for helping carry this work forward. Our next effort will be to advise the City of Fort Collins as it develops its new policy and to provide public comment to ensure that privacy concerns — not surveillance efficiency — remain at the center of the process.
The pledge will be unveiled publicly at our Election Action Day event on Saturday, August 8, celebrating the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. To help make this event a success, please join us at our next meeting.
If you are looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities to defend civil liberties in Larimer County, we invite you to join the CL&R Team.
| Health Care Team League Lines
Team Lunch: July 9th, 2026
11:30am - 1:00pm
First Watch, 1112 Oakridge Dr (off S Lemay Ave)
Fort Collins
Please contact Suzanne if you would like to join us for some conversation and connection (kinney822@aol.com).
Next Meeting: August 13, 2026
11:30am - 1:00pm
Care Communities Meeting Room (Adjacent to Heart of the Rockies Church), 6514 Brittany St, Fort Collins, CO 80525
At our next regular meeting, we will focus on actions leading up to the November midterm election to advance access to affordable care for all. Look for more details in the August League Lines.
We look forward to seeing you at this lunch gathering and/or at our regular August 13th meeting!
Please contact Suzanne Kinney (kinney822@aol.com) or Anna Fuller (annafuller68@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
| Take The Plastic Audit During Plastic Free July
Join the week-long household plastic audit for Plastic Free July
The Larimer County League of Women Voter's Environmental Team invites you to participate in a week-long plastic audit for Plastic Free July, an initiative officially recognized by a mayoral proclamation in Fort Collins. Our entire City Council and Mayor will also be participating!
• Choose any one week in July to collect all the single-use plastic waste your household generates.
• Take a photograph of the collected plastic.
• Share the photograph and what you learned from participating in the audit with your family, friends and neighbors, on your social media platforms, etc. For example, why you participated in the audit, what you learned, what you would do differently (purchasing/shopping choices, etc.)
Plastic Free July is a worldwide movement. Visit their website ( https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/) to learn about additional daily actions you can pledge to take during July. | Orientation To The League
An invitation for prospective and new members to learn about the League and get involved
Saturday, July 11
10:00 - 11:30 AM
Care Community Meeting Room (adjacent to the Heart of the Rockies Christian Church)
6501 Brittany St, Fort Collins, CO 80525
( register here!)
Prospective and new League members are invited to meet face-to-face, learn about the League and how you can engage around your interests and passions to make our democracy work!
We’ll begin with refreshments and informal conversation followed by an introduction to our mission, structure and program priorities. Bring your questions and join us for a stimulating conversation.
Reservations are requested by July 8 on the calendar; space is limited. Carpooling can be arranged. | | Tech Talk: Copy And Paste Made Easy
A simple step-by-step guide to mastering copy and paste on your computer or phone
Have you ever wanted to share something you read online without retyping the whole thing? That's copy and paste — and once you get the hang of it, you'll use it constantly. | | | Step 1: Highlight your text.
On a computer, click right before the first word, hold the mouse button, and drag to the end. The text will turn blue — that means it's selected. On a phone or tablet, press and hold a word for 1–2 seconds until handles appear, then drag to expand your selection.
Step 2: Copy it.
On a computer, hold the Ctrl key and press C (nothing visible will happen — that's normal). On a phone, tap Copy from the menu that pops up.
Step 3: Paste it.
Click or tap where you want the text to go. On a computer, hold Ctrl and press V. On a phone, hold your finger in the spot until a menu appears, then tap Paste.
Tip: If something goes wrong, press Ctrl + Z on a computer (or tap Undo on a phone) to undo and try again.
Want to practice? Open a blank email draft, find a sentence on any website, and try copying and pasting it in. You can delete the draft when you're done — no harm done!
Have a question for a future issue? Reply to this email — all questions are kept anonymous. | | Women Who Made Waves: Sylvia Rivera
Throughout history, women have challenged the status quo, expanded rights, and strengthened our democracy. This feature honors those who made lasting contributions—and inspire us to continue the work.
This Pride month, we honor Sylvia Rivera, a pioneering activist for transgender rights and gay liberation.
Sylvia Rivera (July 2, 1951 – February 19, 2002) was a tireless activist for transgender rights and gay liberation. Born in New York City to a Puerto Rican father and Venezuelan mother, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Marsha P. Johnson, creating one of the first refuges for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and trans women. Throughout her life she insisted that the movement for queer rights make room for its most marginalized members. In 2015, Rivera became the first transgender activist honored in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. As we mark Pride and her July 2 birthday, the League celebrates Sylvia Rivera — a woman who made waves.
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