COLORADO FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Veterans for Peace, Groups and Events

DEMOCRATS WORK: Here are two Democrats Work events in Colorado

Volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver

When: Wednesday, December 10th 2008, at 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Food Bank of the Rockies, Denver Warehouse
10700 E. 45th Avenue
Denver, CO 80239

Join Democrats Work as we help the Food Bank of the Rockies serve our less fortunate neighbors during these tight times.

We need 15 volunteers to help sort, sanitize, and pack food that will be delivered to local non-profits. We are also inviting volunteers to give a holiday gift to the foodbank--in the form of a canned good! So please bring one jar of peanut butter or jelly to help stock the foodbank's shelves.

Volunteers must be 14 years or older (and will receive a free Democrats Work t-shirt!). Sign-up today!

Volunteer at Boulder County's Community Food Share

When: Friday, December 19th 2008, at 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: Community Food Share
6363 Horizon Lane
Longmont, CO 80503

Join Democrats Work volunteers as we sort, weigh, and re-package a huge shipment of holiday food that is being delivered to Community Food Share.

We also invite our volunteers to bring a small donation of one package of pasta or one can of pasta sauce to help stick CFS's shelves.

CFS can be a bit tricky to find if you have never been there, so please download their map at www.communityfoodshare.org.

We need 10-15 volunteers, so grab a friend and sign up today! Volunteers will receive a free Democrats Work t-shirt. RSVP here.


BLOGGING COLORADO:

Colorado Independent

Colorado MediaMatters: Colorado Media Matters is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the Colorado media. Colorado Media Matters is managed and staffed by Coloradans trained in the rigorous editorial policies and research methods developed by Media Matters for America.

LeftyBlogs Colorado is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across Colorado.

Square State, The Progressive Political Blog for Colorado


Some stories of interest:

Republican intolerance and hate speech, fed by Fox News, has led to a rise in hate crimes against Hispanics.

From Daily Kos comes this rundown of the 2010 elections in Colordao:

Incumbent Democratic Governor Bill Ritter and Senator Ken Salazar look pretty good for reelection. Ritter may actually face Tom Tancredo, a potential candidacy which has "Epic Fail" written all over it.

Salazar could draw a decent opponent, like Secretary of State (and Congressman-elect) Mike Coffman. He could also be nominated Secretary of the Interior, and while I would much prefer...well, anyone else, it would enable Ritter to potentially replace him with a more progressive Democrat.

In the House, Democrats are out of targets, as they now control five of seven House seats. The most vulnerable incumbent Democrats are freshman Rep.-elect Betsy Markey in CO-04, and John Salazar in CO-03.

Salazar has now won three elections and is pretty well entrenched, but Markey has yet to beat someone not woefully unpopular, like vanquished Rep. Marilyn Musgrave. It's an R+8.5 district, so Markey will have a big target on her back. Republicans will certainly be gunning after this one.

KBDI refuses to delay airing of Guantanamo torture documentary

Udall's Vote Against Bank Bailout Vindicated?: Is there a lack of oversight? Where is the money going? Can we trust the Bush Administration to handle the money properly? Probably not!

When Are Law Enforcement Lies Legal?

Aurora considers extending same-sex partner benefits to city employees

Report: Water and oil shale don’t mix...and on a related note: What East Coast Pundits Miss about Oil Shale

Transportation Looms As #1 Issue in Legisature

Coloradans Broadly Support "Relationship Equality"

Can energy independence help solve the economic crisis? I've been talking about this for years now!

Looking Out Over Colorado’s Economic Landscape

El Paso County: Still "Drowning In Bathtub"

As Bush heads for the exit, he takes our water with him

Seven Applicants for CO Secretary of State. Don't underestimate the importance of this race! Protecting our voting rights requires good secretaries of state!

Energy policy -- oil and gas: Methane levels rising in domestic water wells in Garfield County


COLORADO VETERANS FOR PEACE:
Chapter 120 Boulder
Chapter 079 Denver

Meetings:

Join us for our regular potluck social and business meeting at 6:00 PM on the first Sunday of every month, at the Arborwood Condominums’ Club House, 3250 O'Neal Circle, in Boulder, Colorado.

Denver meetings 3rd Wed. of evrey month at 7:00 PM at the AFSC office, 901 W. 14th Street

For further information call:
George Newell - 303-440-0942
Frank Bessinger - 720-939-5057

Or Email info_at_covfp.org to ask to be added to our mailing list.


ALTERNATIVE ENERGY:

Here are a couple of biodiesel cooperatives in Colorado. If you drive a diesel car or truck, please check them out.

Boulder Biodiesel Cooperative
Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-449-3277
Check out their website (site was down when I checked it but hopefully will be up again)

Roaring Fork Biodiesel Coop
Roaring Fork, CO
Check out their website

Here are some other alternative energy groups in Colorado:

Alliance for Sustainable Colorado: The mission of Alliance for Sustainable Colorado is to catalyze the shift to a truly sustainable world by fostering collaboration among nonprofits, businesses, governments, and academia. We are working to advance economic, environmental, and social sustainability in Colorado by building cross-sector alliances and networks.

Colorado Green Tech Group, Boulder
A gathering of people involved and/or interested in Green Tech including Energy generation, transportation, construction, and efficiency technologies.
We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00PM (6:00 for networking).

Sign up here to find out where they meet.

Boulder Sustainable Energy Group
We welcome anyone looking for an interesting, informative, and social forum for the exchange of ideas that will help each of us reduce our 'personal' consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gasses, and make greener consumer choices in general. Sign up here to find out when and where they meet.

Alternative Energy Resources in Colorado. A short summary of alternative energy resources for Colorado. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

Colorado Alternative Energy: Alternative energy news for Colorado

Colorado Reewable Energy Society: The Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) is a nonprofit membership organization that works for the sensible adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies by Colorado businesses and consumers. Check out their website for local events and chapters.


Here are some other groups and events in Colorado:

Denver Democracy for America Meetup
Meet others to learn more about Democracy For America and discuss local strategies. Get the latest news at your Democracy for America Meetups! This Meetup is officially brought to you by Democracy for America. Join here to find out more.

Colorado Young Democrats Chapters: Find your local Young Democrats chapter and contact them to find out what you can do to organize your community.

Adams County Young Dems
Edward Casso, Representative
edwardcasso_at_hotmail.com
720.495.3861

Adams State University Undergraduate College Dems
Ryan Crick
ChefCO_at_gmail.com

Arapahoe County Young Dems
Derek Dye, President
derekodye_at_hotmail.com
303.921.1685

Boulder Young Dems
Sara Lu Hanley, President
saraluhanley_at_google.com
303.501.2575

Broomfield Young Dems
Samara Kapich, President
samarajbrown_at_yahoo.com
720.231.2072

College Democrats of Colorado
Jay Hazen, jay_at_coloradoyoungdems.com
303.884.7083
http://www.cocollegedems.com/

Colorado School of Mines College Dems
LB Williams, President
csmdemocrats_at_gmail.com

CSU Graduate School
Sunshine Swetnam, President
970.482.2025

Denver Young Dems
http://www.denveryoungdems.org/

Jefferson County Young Dems
Kyle Anderson, President
kylea1979_at_gmail.com
303.971.0370

School of Mines College Dems
LB Williams
MinesDemocrats_at_Gmail.com

Steamboat Springs Young Dems
Harris Reitman-Swiss, President
904.742.8061

University of Colorado at Boulder College Dems
Daniel Ramos
Daniel.Ramos_at_Colorado.edu

University of Denver College Dems
Jeff Graves
Jgraves2_at_du.edu

University of Denver Law School College Dems
Kelley Rider
KRider09_at_law.du.edu

Colorado chapter of National Stonewall Democrats—a grassroots network connecting LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Democratic activists through over 90 Stonewall chapters throughout the United States.

Colorado Café Scientifique in Denver: The Café Scientifique idea started in England a few years ago, based on the French Café Philosophique. In the Café Scientifique, people (often science buffs) come together in a friendly pub after work and hear an informal (no PowerPoint!) introduction to an interesting current scientific topic, led by an expert. We take a short break for refreshments, to meet new people, and chat, and then we return for questions and answers and general discussion. All questions and comments are welcome, as this isn't a seminar, it's a chance for all of us to express an opinion, expert or otherwise.

We meet at the Wynkoop Brewing Company. Check the website for upcoming events. We start at 6:30 PM in the large & comfortable first floor Mercantile Room and go to approximately 8:00 PM. Because we have been getting large crowds, it isn't practical to serve meals at the tables. We invite you to come early and get dinner in the regular restaurant, or wait until we're through (about 8 PM) and eat then. The Wynkoop's food is great! There is bar service throughout the session, and the Wynkoop people have generously offered to provide snacks for our guests. Café Scientifique meetings are FREE. The Wynkoop is generously providing the facility; we buy our own food and drinks. Seating is limited, and the event is popular, so you may want to arrive around 6 PM to be sure of getting a seat.


And for those who like to combine social and political activities, here are the Drinking Liberally groups in Colorado:

Avon
o Fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:30 pm
o Loaded Joe's, 82 East Beaver Creek Blvd Suite 104
o Hosted by Cheryl Bottomley

North Boulder
o First and Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Murphy's Grill, 2731 Iris Ave (By the bar in back)
o Hosted by Richard Bateman | Marc Sobel

Downtown Boulder
o Second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Pearl Street Pub, 1108 Pearl St
o Hosted by Carrie Jackson

Cañon City
o First and Third Wednesday of each month, 5:30 pm
o McClellan's Grill & Brewing Company, 413 Main St
o Hosted by Alain Chamot | Brandy Johnson

Colorado Springs
o First and Third Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o he Coffee Exchange, 526 S Tejon St (In between McCabe's and Southside Johnny's)
o Hosted by Jeff and Amanda Courtright

North Colorado Springs
o Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o Old Chicago, 7115 Commerce Center Dr
o Hosted by Lucy Wolboldt | Jan Hejtmanek

Denver
o Every Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm
o Skylark Lounge, 140 S. Broadway
o Hosted by Kathy Brandon | John E. | Sarah Fong

South Metro Denver
o Second Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm
o Lansdowne Arms Bistro & Bar, 9352 Dorchester St (Near HR Tattered Cover)
o Hosted by Rick Munoz

Lakewood
o First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o Dino's, 10040 W Colfax Ave (SW Corner of Colfax and Kipling)
o Hosted by Bill Simpson

Durango
o Third Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm
o Joel's, 119 W 8th St
o Hosted by Brandon Donohue

Fort Collins
o Second and Fourth Thursday of each month, 5:00 pm
o The Crown Pub, 144 S College Ave (between Oak and Mountain)
o Hosted by Anne Wilseck

Frisco
o Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o The Boatyard, 3rd and Main
o Hosted by Heather Christie | Karin Mitchell

Grand Junction
o First Wednesday of each month, 5:00 pm
o Kannah Creek Brewing Company, 1960 N 12th St

Greeley
o Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm
o Island Grill, 809 9th Street ((look for our table in the resturant area))
o Hosted by Ed Craig | Judy Craig

Longmont
o First and Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
o RedZone, 540 S Main St
o Hosted by Andi Hill