In This Issue
- ACTION! Light for Our Democracy Gathering, March 4
- Time to Weigh In on the LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study
- How Would YOU Use the Hughes Stadium Site?
- News from Our Issues Teams & Education Groups
- Things You Should Know
| It Is Time for Congress to Stand Up for Democracy
It has been just over one month since President Trump took the oath of office. In that time, he's issued over 70 executive orders and numerous executive memos and proclamations that roll back the rights of Americans and violate the constitutional authority of Congress. The Administration has ignored constitutional protections and laws passed by Congress by seeking to end birthright citizenship, dismantling federal agencies, and freezing federal funding.
Checks, balances, and the rule of law are necessary to ensure our democracy continues, yet Congress has taken no action to stop this illegal power grab. It is time for Congress to act. Please ask your Senators and Representatives to stand up for our democracy.
A constitutional crisis is unfolding, and at the League, we believe that Congress' inaction signals its approval of the violation of laws and the Constitution, as well as the Administration's seizure of Congressional power. Congress' power to act is clear. Article I of the Constitution grants Congress all legislative powers and the authority to approve spending in the federal budget.
A failure to act means that Congress is enabling the actions of the executive branch, threatening the rule of law and our Constitution. Every day, congressional inaction jeopardizes our system of checks and balances, our liberties as Americans, and our democracy in its entirety.
It is time for Congress to stand up for the Constitution and their constituents. It is time for Congress to resist this power grab and stand in the power that the US Constitution gives them. Contact your members of Congress and ask them to stand up for our democracy.
Celina Stewart
CEO, League of Women Voters | | League-Wide News and Events | |
Light for Our Democracy
March 4
6:00 - 8:30 PM
Federal Building (Post Office)
301 S Howes St, Fort Collins
As President Trump gives his first Presidential Address, LWV and partners will participate in peaceful actions for the health of our democracy all across the country.
Join your fellow League members in taking ACTION!
| | | Our local Larimer County League will participate by gathering with local partners and like-minded organizations at the Federal Building in Fort Collins (301 S Howes St) from 6:00 to 8:30 pm to demonstrate our solidarity and unified purpose in peacefully reclaiming our democracy for the future of our nation and the well-being of all its people.
Planning is still underway, but we are asking participants to bring a sign and a battery-operated votive light or flashlight (phone flashlights are fine, too).
Keep an eye out for an email to all members that will provide more details. In the meantime, craft yourself a sign with a message of your choice. No profanity, please. | LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study
The TIME has come to have your say!
Join a consensus meeting on LWVUS Federal Judiciary this month.
-- Come prepared by reviewing the study resources on our website, including the recording of our February 24 local discussion with Eric Waples.
-- Join the LWV of Denver presentation on the US Federal Judicial System 101: Its History, Challenges, and Suggested Reforms -- a virtual meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 5:30 - 7:15 pm. The Zoom link is on the web calendar. No reservation is required.
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 this month. RSVP on the calendar for one.
Monday, March 10, 7:00-8:30 pm at the Heart of the Rockies Church in Fort Collins
Tuesday, April 8, 2:00-3:30 pm TBA in Loveland
| Here is one topic we'll be discussing:
What proposals are there for structural reforms for the Supreme Court?
The judicial, legislative, and executive branches are meant to be checks and balances for each other. It's been suggested that the current structure of the Supreme Court no longer allows it to play that role. This LWVUS policy brief reviews two frequently proposed areas for reform:
-- Expanding the Court. Is that "court packing"? Would it strengthen the Supreme Court as an institution, or undermine its independence?
-- Term limits for Supreme Court justices. Does a lifetime appointment put too much power in the hands of individuals, or does it ensure judicial independence? Would a more regular rotation of judges enhance the Court's decision-making, or would it weaken its stability?
| Nature is Calling YOU: Complete the Survey About Use of the Hughes Stadium Site
- Any Larimer County resident can participate;
- Hear from others, and add how you would like to use that site;
- Say how to make its 165 acres useful for parks, recreation, open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and restoration... (voter-approval language).
The Environmental Team is sponsoring 1-hour Zoom discussions to develop your ideas for completing your personal survey. Your answers will be added to the collected ideas to help with recommendations to the City of Fort Collins.
Available sessions:
Saturday, March 1 - 2:00 pm or 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 2 - 7:00 pm
Monday, March 3 - 2:00 pm or 6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 4 - 9:00 am or 12:00 noon
Wednesday, March 5 - 10:00 am
| Great Decisions Discussion Group
Upcoming Zoom meeting: March 3, 2025, at 11:30.
We will discuss: U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy, Chapter 2 in the 2025 Great Decisions book.
What are America's options and opportunities as a leader of the world economy? How will America's "foreign policy for the middle class" and strategic competition with China impact its leadership role? How can the postwar rules and institutions of the world economy be made safe for economic nationalism and great power competition?
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.
| Legacy Crossing Needs Your Support!
The Affordable Housing Team hosted Eric Hull from the Loveland Housing Authority in February to learn about Legacy Crossing, a proposed development in Loveland. It is a collaboration involving Crossroads Church, Habitat for Humanity, Loveland Housing Authority, the Impact Development Fund, and Mission Homes. The project would provide 325 housing units to buy or rent, if approved. The site is adjacent to Crossroad Church along West 57th Street, just east of Taft Avenue.
This development, similar to Grace Gardens in Loveland and Heartside Hill in Fort Collins, will provide urgently needed housing. The Loveland Planning Commission has approved the zoning change for this development to move forward and now the issue will come before the Loveland City Council on Tuesday, March 4.
An official LWVLC letter of support was recently sent to Loveland City Council members and this letter will be read at the March 4 meeting. This letter, signed by LWVLC President Pat Burger, was also printed in the Loveland Reporter-Herald on February 21. You can read the letter here.
The Affordable Housing Team urges League members to text or email their support for the Legacy Crossing development, a project that will provide needed housing for the community, to the City Council at www.ccouncil@cityofloveland.org.
We welcome you to our next meeting (via Zoom) on March 13, 1:30-3:00 pm. Register on the Event Calendar.
| 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.
| Voter Services Team Meeting
Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30-8:30 PM
Online meeting on Zoom
Voter Registration
A huge thank you to everyone who attended Voter Registration training. If you would like to volunteer at voter registration events this year and have not done a training yet in 2025, please contact Mary Carraher at marycarraher@comcast.net.
For voter registration information contact Mary Carraher.
| Health District Board of Directors Election on May 6, 2025
The Health District of Northern Larimer County is a special tax district created by voters in 1960 to serve community health needs. Today, the Health District provides dental care, behavioral health, and assistance with health insurance enrollment and literacy. The district also collaborates at the systems level with community partners to improve the health of our community.
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.
If you would like to use a mail-in ballot in this election, you will need to request an absentee ballot. They are not sent to all voters as in a regular election. Ballots can be requested by either:
-- Calling the District at 970-224-5209 and providing yoru name, address, and year of birth;
OR
-- Visiting the Health District website to download an application. Applications can be returned through the mail, email, or in person. You will find the application and instructions for completing it 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 election will be covered on VOTE411 and the Voter Services Team is working on organizing a Candidate Forum. If you have question suggestions for the candidates, please email them to hsulgrove@gmail.com.
| 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 March book on March 12th.
Our book is Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote by Susan Ware.
Why They Marched tells the compelling stories of the women behind the suffrage movement in the U.S., many of whom have been overlooked by history. The book highlights the diverse backgrounds, strategies, and personal sacrifices of these women as they fought for decades to secure the right to vote. Through these untold stories, it sheds light on the complex, persistent struggle for equality and the broader context of the suffrage movement, advocacy, and civil engagement.
Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
| | LARIMER CAPITOL WATCH
The Larimer Legislative Action Team monitors progress of bills moving through the Colorado General Assembly and stances taken by the LWVCO Legislative Action Committee (LAC).
The Colorado state legislature has introduced over 400 bills so far this session with many more anticipated in the next few weeks. We are happy to report that SB25-063 Library Resource Decision Standards for Public Schools has passed in the Senate and has been routed to the House and assigned to the Education Committee. This is the bill that requires school districts and Institute charter schools to have a policy in place when choosing resources, books, and other materials so that they are better prepared if they are challenged about their choices.
| | | The LWVCO LAC is recommending an Oppose stance for HB25-1191, Elections to Fill County Commissioner Vacancies. Currently, a vacancy in the office of a county commissioner is filled by a vacancy committee selected by the county central committee. This bill eliminates the vacancy committee process for vacancies and requires the vacancies be filled by a vacancy election. However, the election would be limited to candidates from the same party as the commissioner vacating the seat.
Our own Kathy Wilson testified on February 24 in support of SB25-153 Public School Financial Reporting Requirements. On behalf of the 1800 Colorado League members, Kathy urged support for this bill that would increase financial transparency by requiring all public schools, charter schools, and BOCES to report how school funds are being applied. These funds should be judged on efficiency, equity, and respect for local control.
For more information on the status of bills in the General Assembly, contact Kathy Wilson.
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South Larimer Discussion Group
Thursday, March 20, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Berthoud Public Library (and Zoom)
LWVLC and Berthoud Library are hosting an event to celebrate Women's History Month. Jean Wyrick, Professor Emerita of English at Colorado State University, will be presenting Daring Deeds: Our Courageous Foremothers' Fight for the 19th Amendment.
This program will be a dramatic retelling of the American suffragists' fight for the vote during the heated 1913-1920 years of intense activism, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment and the founding of the League of Women Voters.
The presentation will include Dr. Wyrick's large collection of authentic suffage memorabilia, including 1910-1920 political buttons, advertising postcards, cook books, playing cards, historical documentns, and more.
Both in-person and virtual attendance options are offered. The best experience will be in person. Registration is required. Please reserve your place here.
| Election Reform Team
Next meeting is March 25, 4:00 pm via Zoom
Recent advocacy by the Election Reform Team took the form of the following press release:
League of Women Voters of Larimer County Supports Improved Election Oversight for City of Fort Collins
Citing the organization's strong positions for free and fair elections at all levels and ongoing Making Democracy Work® campaign, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County announces it supports the work of the City of Fort Collins to move toward establishing an independent election oversight authority.
Oversight is essential to maintaining the health of democratic processes, ensuring fair elections, and promoting accountability in political campaigns. The watchdog for this oversight must be independent, fair and consistent in order to maintain public trust in elections.
While the City Clerk does oversee the election process, there is no individual or group with independence and authority to oversee candidate compliance with the financial disclosure requirements and adherence to City of Fort Collins election codes. The only mechanism of oversight has been citizens submitting complaints.
When candidates are given money for a campaign, voters need confidence that the funds are being used legally and as intended. The establishment of an independent election oversight authority with quasi-judicial powers is needed to maintain public trust in our elections and build in accountability by performing independent audits of donations and expenditures.
Want to learn more about Independent Election Oversight or Ranked Choice Voting?
Please join our Zoom meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 4:00-5:30 pm.
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TYSK (Things You Should Know) | League Supports Free Tax Service!
During March, several League members will assist Neighbor to Neighbor in offering a free income tax preparation service for underserved populations. Last year, this program helped 92 households file their 2023 income taxes, resulting in $137,024 in total refunds secured.
Are you looking for a free tax preparation service? See if you qualify!
| Now Accepting Nominations for LWVLC Board of Directors
The Nominating Committee is looking for new Board of Directors members! Three positions will be open when this term ends on June 30, 2025.
Although it is desirable for BoD members to have spent some time in the League as an active member of one or more teams, this is not a requirement. Please nominate anyone you think would make positive contributions to the Board and, ultimately, the good work of our League! Members may also self-nominate.
Nominations are due by March 31, 2025. The Nominating Committee needs time to do their work in time for a Membership vote at the Annual Meeting in May. Send your nominations to any member of the Nominating Committee:
Ann Keith
Julie Hellman
Heather Sulgrove
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