In This Issue
- LWVLC Members Are Good Trouble-makers!
- Join the Environmental Team at Poudre RiverFest!
- Fast Approaching: Women's Equality Day Celebration
- Affordable Housing Team Visits New Development
- Upcoming Meetings of Our Issues Teams & Education Groups
- New Member Orientation: August 11
- Welcome New Members!
- Opportunity Calling
| Are You Concerned About:
-- the security of Colorado's elections?
-- unjustified challenges to election results?
-- voter-suppression legislation?
Register for Indivisible Colorado's August 6 Speaker Series session to hear Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold talk about what her office has been doing to protect elections and what challenges she sees moving forward. Wednesday, August 6, 6:00-7:00 PM via Zoom:
| | LEAGUE-WIDE NEWS AND EVENTS | | Left to right above: Kathy Maher, Trish Warner, Ann Keith, Janet Schultz; Hilary Kennedy, Betty Marshall. Below: Young contestant in Loveland gives prize-winning correct answer to Civics question posed by Janet Schultz; rally-goer in Fort Collins. |  | LWVLC Members are Good Trouble-makers!
LWVLC was proud to join IndivisibleNOCO in co-hosting two Larimer County "Good Trouble Lives On" events on July 17: a line-the-streets rally in Fort Collins and a rally-plus-community-gathering in Loveland. Hundreds of people showed up in both locations on what was the 5th anniversary of John Lewis's death to honor his service to this country and to carry on his fight for civil rights, equal voting access, and justice for all.
Big thanks to LWVLC members Sally Dunphy, Jamie Durner, and Heather Sulgrove for hosting pre-event sign-making parties that attracted members of the public, and to Anne Thompson and Janet Schultz for helping out at Heather's event at Harmony Library. Equally big thanks to Pam and Bill Franzen, Jane Everham, Janice Ort, and Dannielle North, who volunteered to serve as Safety Marshals at the Fort Collins rally. The fact that so many of our League members stepped forward to accept these unusual duties is reason to be plenty proud!
Our League had some well-provisioned tables at the Loveland event staffed by Hilary Kennedy, Betty Marshall, Barbara Applegate, Kathy and Jerry Wilson, Trish Warner, Janet Schultz, Ann Keith, Kathleen Schmidt, and Kathy Maher. Apart from offering voter registration services and general information on what our League does, our LWVLC volunteers had materials ready to raise public awareness about the late civil rights activist and longtime U.S. Congressman John Lewis, reasons why we need Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and what makes the SAVE Act a very bad bill. We also gave President Pat Burger's prize wheel an inaugural spin at the Loveland event, inviting members of the public to give it a whirl and answer Good Trouble-themed civics questions to win "fabulous" prizes (candy, packs of cookies, stickers, cool erasers, and similar treasures). The game turned out to be quite an attraction, especially with middle-schoolers, who seemed to spread the word to send us more contestants. We highly recommend continued use of the prize wheel -- with questions tailored to specific events -- as an effective way of engaging the public in discussion to raise awareness on issues.
| The Environmental Team and the Poudre RiverFest
Check out this link to find all the activities of the Saturday, August 9, Poudre RiverFest that the Environmental Team (ET) will be a part of.
You can be a part of it, too! Would you like to help the ET at our table by talking with the many people who stop by to ask about the LWVLC, or are surprised that it has an active Environmental Team? Want to see how Mary Beck fascinates young and old as she explains how pollination happens and leads other activities?
Contact Jane Hamburger to schedule a table time -- or just stop by on the 9th to say, "Hi."
| Voter Services Team Meeting
Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30-8:30 PM
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
As we prepare for the fall elections, there are many ways to get involved with Voter Services! We are preparing voter education for four candidate forums, at least ten local ballot issues, Vote411.org, and ongoing voter registration efforts.
To help with these voter education efforts, consider attending a Voter Services Team meeting or email Heather Sulgrove to get connected to volunteer opportunities like:
- Ballot issues research and summary writing;
- Ballot issues community presentations;
- Candidate Forum support;
- Voter Registration;
- Vote411 website
Candidate Question Suggestions Needed!
An easy way to help is to submit a candidate question suggestion for Candidate Forums and Voter Guides. This fall, we need questions for candidates running for Fort Collins City Council, Loveland City Council, Poudre School District Board of Education, and Thompson School District Board of Education. If you would like to submit question ideas, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/H5kDa845m6V19TDg9. The deadline for question submissions is August 25th.
| 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 August book on August 13th:
The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now
by Anya Kamenetz
The onset of COVID broke a 150-year social contract between America and its children. Tens of millions of students lost what little support they had from the government -- not just school, but food, heat, and physical and emotional safety. The cost was enormous.
But this crisis began much earlier than 2020. In The Stolen Year, Anya Kamenetz exposes a long-running indifference to the plight of children and families in American life and calls for a reckoning.
Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
| Health Care Team Meeting
August 14, 11:30 AM
Heart of the Rockies Church
You are invited to our upcoming Health Care Team meeting on August 14 at 11:30 AM -- an in-person meeting at the Heart of the Rockies Church in Fort Collins. We will reconnect (following our summer break) and dive into a focused discussion on how to strengthen our impact in our local community.
As a source of inspiration, Trish Warner, Leader of the Affordable Housing Team, will join us to share their success stories around building local partnerships and the meaningful outcomes they've achieved. We will also cover our regular agenda items, including advancing access to affordable care, promoting public health, and preventing gun violence. Please register on our local Event Calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!
| Stronger Together!
The theme for the 2025 Women's Equality Day Celebration is "Stronger Together." This day reminds us that progress is never made alone. When we stand together we create lasting change. Together we are stronger, louder, and unstoppable.
We are looking forward to coming together to honor Larimer County Commissioner Kristin Stephens and Anne Thompson, a long-time League member, at the Sweet Heart Winery on Thursday, August 21, from 5:00-7:30 PM. Tickets are available for purchase on the League's website!
| Photo: Affordable Housing Team members tour Heartside Hill. Left to right: Carol Rush, Trish Warner, Marilyn Heller, Barb Irelan, and Ruth Long.
| |
Affordable Housing Team Visits Heartside Hill
The Affordable Housing team members recently toured the new Heartside Hill development in Fort Collins. Tatiana Zentner, Project Manager for Heartside Hill, explained how this development, made possible by the collaboration of many community groups, is taking shape on the corner of Trilby Road and Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins. It is an impressive story.
The land was donated by the Heart of the Rockies Christian Church. Since then, Care Communities has constructed 72 affordable apartments facing on Trilby and many of the are already rented out. Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity is constructing nine single-family homes, with two being built by Poudre High School students training in this field. Two homes for adults with intellectual disabilities are being built by L'Arche Northern Colorado. The Community Center construction is underway, with a clubhouse and children's playground. More is to come with programs developed to serve the needs of those living on the property.
Affordable Housing team members continue to be impressed by how organizations and communities can join together to serve the needs of all our community members!
| |
Orientation to the League of Women Voters
Monday, August 11, 2025
7:00-8:30 PM
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
2000 S Lemay Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Meet LWV members 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 an ice cream social and informal conversation followed by an introduction to our mission, structure, and program priorities. Bring your questions and join us for a stimulating conversation.
We hope to see you there!
LWV Larimer County Membership Team
| Welcome to our new members!
Please add these new members to your Directory: | | Kath Bettis
Patricia Douthit
Jeanie Draper
Donna Greene
Mindy Hill
Shaunda Horn
Nichol Huckins | | Monica Klauder
Susan Massa
Jennifer Markiewicz
Junia McGillen
Melanie Reed
Suzanne Schmachtenberger | | | | New Member Profile
Victoria Lacey has dedicated much of her life to mentoring youth and serving her community. After relocating to Colorado, she accepted a position at Colorado State University (CSU) in the African American Cultural Center. Affectionately dubbed "Momager" by the students, she provided support, guidance, and a welcoming environment for young adults navigating their academic journeys, however, her contract was not renewed due to the current political climate. She volunteers with Meals on Wheels weekly, serves on the Board of The Black Professional Network, and is an active member of the graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. | | | She is a certified personal trainer and a Barre3 instructor, passionate about promoting health and wellness. She loves all things outdoors -- is an avid golfer and enjoys camping, hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, and horseback riding. She believes her diverse interests and experiences fuel her passion for connecting with others and enrich the community around her. She looks forward to continuing her journey of mentoring and serving while embracing new opportunities to make a positive impact in the League.
| TRAINING for High School Presenters
August 5, 6:30-7:30 via Zoom
Want to help register high school students to vote this fall?
You can complete the required training/review in a Tuesday evening Zoom session on August 5th. During this session, we'll cover the procedures and materials needed to register high school students.
|  | 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 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 between early September to the middle of October. 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!
| Ready to Deepen Your Impact?
Discover how the League makes a difference -- and how you can too. Build your leadership skills, make meaningful connections, and gain the clarity and confidence to step into new roles.
Sound good? Then join us for the League's new Leadership Program! The program will be launched in September 2025. This five-session program will provide you with a strong understanding of the League's activities in the following areas:
- Governance, communication, and structure of the LWV at the national, state, and local levels;
- The work of our Voter Services Team;
- Action and advocacy program of the League;
- The work of our Issues Teams;
- The League's legislative action activities.
The program will be run as a "cohort" of 8-15 participants, with all meetings held in person to promote the development of relationships. Meetings are planned as follows:
- Monday, SEP 22, 6:00 pm - Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Fort Collins;
- Monday, OCT 27, 6:00 pm - Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Fort Collins;
- Monday, NOV 24, 6:00 pm - Zion Lutheran Church, Loveland;
- Monday, JAN 26, 6:00 pm - Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Fort Collins;
- Monday, FEB 23, 6:00 pm - Zion Lutheran Church, Loveland
A light dinner will be served at each session.
| Livestreaming Committee Meetings at the Capitol
Although the past few years have seen the Colorado legislature taking significant steps toward reduced transparency, Colorado legislative leaders recently approved a trial run of video coverage of General Assembly committee meetings in five rooms of the state Capitol complex from August to November.
For more information on this improvement, please check out this article from our friends at the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.
| |