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Date: 10/1/2025
Subject: LEAGUE LINES - October 1, 2025
From: League of Women Voters of Larimer County




OCTOBER 1, 2025


In This Issue
  • Upcoming Meetings and Rallies
  • October 7 General Meeting: Ballot Issues Presentation
  • News from Our Issues Teams & Education Groups
  • Things You Should Know



Please participate in one or more NO KINGS Rallies in the area, Saturday, October 18!
IMPORTANT: The LWV is an official partner in planning the nationwide (even worldwide!) mass demonstrations. Help the League be VISIBLE participating in this action by turning up and proudly wearing your LWV gear!
 
 
 
 
 
See you there!
 

    GET ENGAGED!
 

Upcoming LWVLC Meetings & Events
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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October LWVLC General Meeting
Tuesday, October 7, 6:00-8:30 pm via Zoom
 
The October General Meeting will be devoted to this November's ballot issues – local and state.
This program will be presented only virtually, so members, friends, family, and the general public will all have to register on the LWVLC calendar to get the link. Presentations are also available to small groups upon request to Anne Hall.  
 

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Voter Services Team News

This is proving to be a busy election season. Thirty-eight candidates are running for the municipal elections, a number that's larger than normal. Seven people are hoping to be the new mayor of Fort Collins. Candidate forums are scheduled for the City of Fort Collins Mayor and City Council races, the City of Loveland Mayor and City Council races, as well for the Poudre School District. 

This year we have two firsts:
- First-time use of Ranked Voting to select the new mayor and council members in Fort Collins;
- First-time access to candidate responses using the new eBook Voter Guide on the Poudre and Loveland library websites using their Libby app. The information is the same as that available on Vote411.

Vote411 goes live October 7th just before ballots arrive October 10th. Candidate responses to questions will be available in English, with the opportunity to enter them in Spanish if they choose.  Ballot issues will also be entered, along with what a “yes” or a “no” vote means, in English and Spanish.    


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YOU can help answer that question
and meet others who can help.
 
The LWVLC Environmental Team (ET) invites you to a
Meet. Greet. Discuss. Commit. Together.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 15
Session 1: 4:30-5:45 and/or
Session 2: 5:45-6:50
Where: Harmony Library Community Room, 4616 S. Shields, Fort Collins
How: In person. Bring a helpful friend. Register your intention to attend.
Bring your own drink. Light refreshments are served.

The ET has 79 “Environment-interested” members. Can you imagine what a force 79 committed people can be?

Seize this opportunity to make an Environmental Difference!! Our goal is to hear from 79 of you about how you want to be a part of the actions toward solutions. Please come.

Contact: mjbhamburger@gmail.com with questions.


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LWVCO Shines Truth on Climate Science 

The LWVCO News Access & Literacy Task Force and the Climate Emergency Task Force are collaborating to sponsor a series of speakers and listeners who will help us learn how to recognize Misinformation and Disinformation about Climate Science, as well as how to talk with others about it.

Watch for details and mark Friday, Oct. 17 for a 5:00 Zoom with CUBoulder Professor Max Boycoff, who just returned from the UN



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South Larimer Discussion Group

On Wednesday, October 15, at 1 p.m., the South Larimer Discussion Group will host an in-person tour of the Pulliam Building at 545 North Cleveland, Loveland. 

Please register on the LWVLC Calendar so we know how many people to expect. At the present time, the tour is for LWV members only. We are currently in the process of checking to see if non-members will be able to attend, so please stay tuned.

Plan to meet on the south (alley) side and wear closed-toed shoes.

If you are a newcomer, you may be unaware of the history of the Pulliam Buliding. Here is the background from our League host, Nancy Garcia:

During the depths of the Great Depression in the 1930s, Loveland's Pulliam building arose from the dust because of the courage of the City of Loveland, the resources of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the charity of D.T. and Lillian Pulliam. During the past 80 years, the structure served Loveland well. Conventions, concerts, plays, graduations, school events, church services, dinners and celebrations were the hallmark of the community building. Since opening, there has not been any major remodeling. Public usage steadily declined. Until now.

But in the near future -- through the impetus of a committed collective effort over the past eight years -- the community will once again enjoy this sound, historically designated structure. This unique partnership between the Pulliam Community Building Foundation and the City focuses on a common goal: to benefit downtown and greater Loveland by attracting more visitors and adding economic stimulus.


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Health Care Team Meeting
October 9, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Heart of the Rockies Church
6501 Brittany St, Fort Collins

 
You are invited to our upcoming Health Care (HC) Team meeting on October 9th. We will continue discussion about how to strengthen our local impact by partnering with community health care organizations. Health Care Team members will report on their observations of the monthly Health District of Northern Larimer County and Board of Health meetings. We are looking for actionable opportunities to support our public health partners. 

The team will give updates on current gun violence prevention legislation & activities, community behavioral health care events, and other current health care access topics.
Please register here: Health Care Team Meeting - 10/9/2025

Highlights and follow-up to the September HC Team meeting:
 
 The Board of Health has added 14 new vaccination sites. The Director reported that misinformation about vaccines has increased. The Board of Health is providing current, accurate information to the public about the benefits of vaccinations. 

 The Office on Aging has stopped distributing hard copies of the resource guide, Answers on Aging. There were concerns expressed that some adults might not have access to digital copies. An Action Alert was sent to HC Team members with a link to the County Commissioner’s Office. The office responded to one inquiry and stated that this is a cost-saving measure, and that residents can get printed information as needed/requested. 

We look forward to seeing you at our October meeting for ongoing discussion about the health care issues impacting Larimer County residents. 


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Affordable Housing Team Notes
 
The Affordable Housing Team began the new League year by hosting a presentation by Kyle McPherson, Fort Collins Rescue Mission Senior Director. He shared the services provided to men experiencing homelessness with the goal of helping them become self sustaining. The services are offered at the main shelter on Mason Street and the 110-acre Harvest Farm. A late-August fire at the Mason Street shelter has left 81 men without shelter and left the Rescue Mission scrambling to find placements for the men.

Our team toured Impala Village in Fort Collins led by Julie Brewen, Executive Director of Housing Catalyst. This redevelopment project included the construction of 62 new affordable apartments in 4 buildings and the renovation of 12 duplexes. These homes offer affordable rent from 30-70% area median income. Julie described the impacts of the federal budget cuts on housing programs. 

Check out the details of a co-sponsored meeting with the Loveland Affordable Housing Task Force on Thursday, October 23rd. Registration is limited to 60 so sign up early here: Loveland Housing Challenges: A Panel Discussion - 10/23/2025

Vanessa Fenley, Fort Collins Senior Housing Manager, will be guest speaker at our October 9 meeting.  Register on calendar to receive the zoom link.


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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 October book on October 8th:
How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart by Jamal Greene
 
Rights are a sacred part of American identity. Yet they're also the source of some of our greatest divisions. We believe that holding a right means getting a judge to let us do whatever the right protects. And judges, for their part, seem unable to imagine two rights coexisting—reducing the law to winners and losers. The resulting system of legal absolutism distorts our law, debases our politics, and exacerbates our differences rather than helping to bridge them.

Please join us on the second Wednesday of each month.
Morning contact: Annette DeMartine
Evening contact: Pat Skrentny-Lamb
 
Visit the IC Book Club webpage to see the list of future 2025 IC Book Club reads.
 

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GREAT DECISIONS
Upcoming Zoom meeting: October 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
 
We will discuss: The Future of NATO and European Security Chapter 6, in the 2025 Great Decisions book.

European security is more uncertain than it has been for decades. Putin’s Russia has launched a war with Ukraine on its doorstep, and America’s uncertain role as leader of NATO and security provider has been called into question with the failure of Congress to pass supplemental military support for Ukraine. What are Europe’s options, and how might developments on both sides of Western Europe – in Ukraine and across the Atlantic – impact its choices? What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas?

Great Decisions is on the LWVLC calendar and you can register there. A Zoom invitation will be sent to all previous participants If you are new to GD, and wish to participate, contact Annette DeMartine.

For more information about Great Decisions, please contact Karen Heckman.

Great Decisions books for 2026 will be available to order by email to Annette DeMartine. The books cost $30 again this year and will be available for pick up in January, 2026. Our first Great Decisions meeting of 2026 will occur in February, 2026.

Upcoming meetings are always announced in the League Lines, and you can find us at http://www.lwv-larimercounty.org, under “Education Groups” in the “Our Work” tab.

Great Decisions meetings are held on the first Monday of each month from February to June and October to December. 
 


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   THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
 


Help "Prebunk" Lies about Our Elections
 From the LWVCO website:
The United States is a representative democracy with our government elected by citizens. Citizen participation is key, and voting is a cherished political right. Colorado’s voting system is considered an election gold standard and exemplifies the League mission: EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY. It is a product of evolving improvements, as elected county clerks, the elected Secretary of State, and other stakeholders seek additional means to provide accessibility, security, accuracy and transparency. 
 
Check out and share the one-page info sheet on Colorado's Innovative and Stellar Election System available in English and Spanish!

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WEAR YOUR VOICE
Shop with Purpose at the LWVCO Online Store
 
LWVCO's online store offers more than just merchandise, it's a way for shoppers to proudly support democracy, civic engagement, and nonpartisan advocacy. Each purchase helps fund vital programs that empower voters and protect access to fair and equitable elections across the state. Whether it's a t-shirt, tote, or sticker, every item serves as a conversation starter and a symbol of the League's enduring commitment to informed participation in government.
 
Shopping at the LWVCO store also means aligning with values that matter. Customers can feel good knowing that their dollars are backing a trusted nonprofit with over a century of impact. The store features high-quality "swag" that reflects the League's mission and spirit. You will find items that are perfect for volunteers, supporters, and anyone who believes in making democracy work for all. It's more than a purchase, it's a statement.

 
ENTER SHOP


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ATTENTION, Contributors to League Lines and Mid-Month Update!
 
At the top of documents (articles) you upload to the Document Library for inclusion in our newsletters, please note your name and email address. Editors sometimes need to contact the author of a submitted article and noting author and contact info will ensure we contact the right person. For graphics (and docs, for that matter) that you upload, it would also be helpful if you would enter your name in the Author(s) field in the upload pop-up window. You can find a guide for drafting and submiting articles/items for the newsletter here: Style Guidelines for LL and MMU Submissions
 
To those who already regularly contribute content: THANK YOU! 
If you have an idea for a regular column or want to join our team of contributors or help in some other way with the newsletters, please contact Kathy Maher.
 

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IN USE

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