COLORADO FOCUS
BLOGGING COLORADO:
LeftyBlogs Colorado is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across 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.
Colorado Progressive Jewish News: A Jewish Progressive's perspective on Colorado and the world.
Square State, The Progressive Political Blog for Colorado
Keep up with the Colorado Democratic Party on their blog: http://blog.coloradodems.org/
CURRENT TV:
Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world. And now CurrentTV has Keith Olbermann as well.
In most areas Current TV is available on:
DIRECTV Channel 358
DISH Network Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 107
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189
Check out their program schedule here.
NATIVE VOTE COLORADO:
The American Indian and Alaska Native population accounts for approximately 2% of the state’s overall population, and 1.7% of Coloradans who are 18 and over. Once again, Indian Country is positioned in a strategic area where the Native vote will substantially impact the congressional races.
Native Vote, is a nation wide resource for encouraging voter turn out in Indian Country. Organized by the National Congress of American Indians, get out the vote efforts in Indian Country have been supported by NCAI since 1955.
We need to establish the infrastructure for 2011 and 2012 to get out the vote in Indian Country. You can help by working with Native Vote. To help organize, contact:
Dale Fenner
(720) 448-3942
dalefenner2@hotmail.com
NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL, Denver Branch
The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.
NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.
For more information, or to become a member of NJDC and the Denver chapter, email sharronsfk@aol.com.
Chapter Board
Chair - Sharron Klein, sharronsfk@aol.com
Vice Chair - David Fogel, dfogel@fogel-law.com
Secretary - Elaine Steinberg, dsteinb105@comcast.net
PR Director - Francine Haber, franhaber@earthlink.net
Recent NJDC, Denver Events
Professor Shaul Gabbay was the featured speaker at the chapter's February meeting.
Attorney Howard Boigon spoke to the Denver Chapter of the NJDC on January 29th at Temple Emanuel. There was a great deal of discussion on current events in Gaza and the history behind these events. In particular, those in attendance were most concerned with how these events are misinterpreted by the press and others casting Israel in a bad light. Howard and his wife, Carol, a Denver councilwoman-at-large, attended the inauguration and gave a detailed overview of the activities and emotions surrounding this momentous event.
COLORADO LATINO FORUM:
http://www.coloradolatinoforum.org/
The CLF is committed to increasing Latino participation and awareness in the electoral process, educating the community on issues vital to the community and perhaps most importantly; increasing the number of Latino office holders in Colorado. CLF offers connectivity between Latino individuals and organizations across the state to achieve its mission, an element that has oftentimes been absent in past efforts in political organizing within the Latino community.
In 16 of Colorado’s 35 Senate Districts and 27 of Colorado’s House Districts, Latinos make up at least 10 percent or more of the total population. The growing numbers of Latinos in the state offer great opportunities in successfully running Latino candidates and other candidates supportive of issues important to our communities.
Currently, Colorado’s political infrastructure lacks the type of statewide organization needed to translate the rising number of Latinos across the state into meaningful political change for Latinos as a whole. The CLF offers to fill this gap. It is estimated that approximately 13-16 percent of Colorado voters in 2008 were Latino. These voters tended to vote overwhelmingly for Barack Obama and a solid majority supported progressive candidates across the state.
Despite this success, the number of Latinos serving in elected office at the federal level and at the State Capitol is at a 25-year low. The CLF has already begun the important process of reaching out to Latino communities and organizations in all areas of Colorado to mobilize Latino voters, identify possible candidates, and build coalitions that will ensure that greater numbers of Latinos are elected in the next election cycle.
Contact Us:
Write: 3480 W. 38th Ave., Denver, CO 80211
Call: 303-350-2660
Fax: 303-458-0757
Email: info@ColoradoLatinoForum.org
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL UNION:
Click here for the Colorado AFL-CIO website to get involved in protecting your rights in the workplace. Click here to see what you can do now.
For more union info, contact:
Colorado AFL-CIO
140 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 201
Denver, CO 80226
Phone: 303-433-2100
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
Colorado Green Drinks Groups
Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.
We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.
These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.
Here are some Green Drinks Groups in Colorado: (click on the links to find out more info)
Aspen
Boulder
Canon City
Carbondale
Denver
Durango
Eagle Valley (Vail)
Evergreen
Fort Collins, CO
Grand Junction
Longmont
Salida
Steamboat Springs
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is a statewide, membership-based coalition of over sixty-five community, faith, labor and youth organizations founded in 2002 to build a unified statewide voice to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees in Colorado and the United States. CIRC achieves this mission through capacity building, non-partisan civic engagement, public relations and winning fair, humane and workable immigration policies.
CIRC's Vision
CIRC believes in the inherent dignity and human rights of every person, regardless of immigration status. CIRC envisions a society in which all women, men and children are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to fair and just work, housing, health care, and education and the opportunity to live united with family members.
Check out their calendar of events here.
Get the facts about immigration here.
Click here to find out how you can get involved.
Some Progressive Groups in Colorado:
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
ALTERNATIVE FUELS:
There are two kinds of alternate fuels that are readily available that lower your carbon foot print and use AMERICAN resources and create AMERICAN jobs rather than supporting big oil companies and oil nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.
ETHANOL: Cars labeled FlexFuel (now becoming common in some states) can use up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline). E85 burns cleaner than gasoline and is usually cheaper. I have used E85 in California and found it to be 10-40 cents cheaper than the cheapest gasoline at the same station. CLICK HERE TO FIND STATIONS IN COLORADO OFFERING E85. This can be a really good way to help the American economy, help the environment, AND save money.
BIODIESEL: Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. It is a great way to make a diesel engine much more green.
Here are some biodiesel stations in Colorado:
Colorado Biodiesel: Supporting and advocating Colorado's fastest growing renewable fuel source
phone: 303-800-4650
Blue Sun is an integrated agriculture-energy company and marketer of premium renewable fuel products. Blue Sun products and services are differentiated by proprietary oilseed crops, additives, quality assurance, blending, and distribution infrastructure. Blue Sun oilseed crop R&D and established farmer network, industry-leading QA/QC policies, numerous retail pumps, and well-established distributor network bring you the best-quality diesel fuel possible today.
Go here for a list of pumps in Colorado (as well as a few in other neighboring states). Remember that ANY diesel car or truck can use up to B20 without modification, so most of these stations can serve you.
Here are some other biodiesel stations in Colorado:
Humdingers: 2020 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401, 970-249-1331. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
The Catherine Store: 15783 Highway 82, Carbondale, CO 81623, 970-963-2156. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
Alta Fuels: 986 6th St, Alamosa, CO 81101, 719-589-2312. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS. UNATTENDED
Acorn Petroleum: 400 S Santa Fe Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003, 719-542-5479. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open M-F 7AM-4:30
Chief Petroleum: 301 S 10th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 719-473-7760. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
Acorn Petroleum: 529 Sahwatch St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, 719-634-8874. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open M-F 7AM-4:30.
Chief Petroleum: 2808 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. 719-473-7760. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS (UNATTENDED).
Evergreen Market/Norwood Gas: 5071 Highway 73, Evergreen, CO 80439, 303-670-0452. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Cox Oil Company: 555 E 8th Street, Greeley, CO 80631, 970-352-9208. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Shoco: 5135 E. 74th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022, 303-289-1677. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine) and B100 (ok for newer diesel engines, some older engines may have problems). Open 24 HRS; B100 available M-F 6-6 SA 6-NOON.
Poudre Valley coop: 225 NW Frontage Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524, 970-221-5300. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Team Petroleum: 105 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524, 970-482-2533.Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Offen Petroleum: 5201 York Street, Denver, CO 80216, 303-297-3835. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Green Brothers Oil Company: 5335 Harrison St, Denver, CO 80216, 303-295-7669. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 6AM-5PM SAT 7-NOON.
Bartkus Oil Company: 3501 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80301, 303-442-6000. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Denver Biodiesel Coop: 3600 Clay street, Denver, CO 80211, 303-256-8494. Offers B100 MEMBERS ONLY BY APPOINTMENT. call for more info
Hill Petroleum: 6291 W Ralston Ave, Arvada, CO 80002, 303-424-6262. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
ProCo Pump: 16500 S Golden Rd, Golden, CO 80401, 303-278-4490. Offers B100 (ok for newer diesel engines, some older engines may have problems). Open M-F 8-6 SA 9-3
Western Convenience: 810 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104, 303-688-3508. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRs.
COLORADO FOOD CO-OPS
It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. So I will list some local food co-ops in Colorado:
Valley Food Co-op
3211 Main Street Suite G
Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Phone: (719) 589-5727
Durango Natural Foods
575 E 8th Avenue
Durango, Colorado 81301
Phone: (970) 257-8129
FAX: (970) 382-9477
info@durangonaturalfoods.coop
website: www.durangonaturalfoods.coop
Fort Collins Food Co-op
250 East Mountain Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Phone: (970) 484-7448
foodcoop@ftcfoodcoop.com
http://www.ftcfoodcoop.com/
The Fort Collins Food Co-operative offers fresh, local food, with a commitment to education, transparency to its sourcing and to the local circle of profit. The Market is a place for you to find the best local food, learn and support your community.
Huajatollas Food Co-op
106 County Road 632
Gardner, Colorado 81040
Phone: (719) 746-2314
High Plains Food Coop
5655 S. Yosemite St., Suite 400
Greenwoods Village, Colorado 80111
Phone: 785-626-3640
info@highplainsfood.org
http://highplainsfood.org/
This is one of the best sounding co-ops I have come across because it coordinates producers with consumers online and provides delivery. THIS is how a 21st Century food co-op.
Modeling from the Oklahoma Food Cooperative and the Nebraska Food Cooperative the High Plains Food Coop is a grassroots network of High Plains and Rocky Mountain Front Range producers and consumers uniting interests in locally grown food and other locally made products. The High Plains Food Cooperative strives to be a business that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just. To foster a local food community and promote a culture of stewardship by cultivating farmer-consumer relationships, promoting the enjoyment of healthful food, increasing food security through diversity, and enhancing overall rural sustainability. We bring the farmer's market to your front door.
Once you join, you can order online and they deliver! The Online Food Market is intended to bring fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food to you, the buyer, in a cost-effective and easy manner. Product selection will vary by season. While many of our producers are organic, we also support the sustainable practices of the small non-certified farmer. We believe in the quality and freshness of foods and whether food is produced in an ethical and sustainable manner.
In summary, you'll use the computer to purchase fresh, local produce and other locally produced goods in quantities you can use.
Producers can also sell their products through this co-op.
Mountain People's Co-op
30 E. First St PO Box 161
Nederland, Colorado 80466
Phone: (303) 258-7500
FAX: (303) 258-7500
Natural Foods Market & Buyers Co-op
112 Colorado Avenue
Pueblo, Colorado 81004
Phone: (719) 545-2958
FAX: (719) 545-0669
SDA Coop
106 Division Avenue
Sterling, Colorado 80751
Phone: (970) 265-2642
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY:
Some statistics from Repower America:
* Colorado's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $5.4 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 10,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.
* National Wind, along with Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan County landowners, will create the state’s largest community-based wind development. The 400-megawatt project could produce enough electricity to power 120,000 homes.
* The state has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all investor-owned utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020, with at least 4% from solar energy. The RPS also requires municipal utilities and rural electric providers to achieve a renewable energy goal of 10% by 2020.
Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Colorado, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BACK TO PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT NEWSLETTER MAIN PAGE
LeftyBlogs Colorado is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across 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.
Colorado Progressive Jewish News: A Jewish Progressive's perspective on Colorado and the world.
Square State, The Progressive Political Blog for Colorado
Keep up with the Colorado Democratic Party on their blog: http://blog.coloradodems.org/
CURRENT TV:
Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world. And now CurrentTV has Keith Olbermann as well.
In most areas Current TV is available on:
DIRECTV Channel 358
DISH Network Channel 196
Comcast Digital: Channel 107
AT&T U-Verse: Channel 189
Check out their program schedule here.
NATIVE VOTE COLORADO:
The American Indian and Alaska Native population accounts for approximately 2% of the state’s overall population, and 1.7% of Coloradans who are 18 and over. Once again, Indian Country is positioned in a strategic area where the Native vote will substantially impact the congressional races.
Native Vote, is a nation wide resource for encouraging voter turn out in Indian Country. Organized by the National Congress of American Indians, get out the vote efforts in Indian Country have been supported by NCAI since 1955.
We need to establish the infrastructure for 2011 and 2012 to get out the vote in Indian Country. You can help by working with Native Vote. To help organize, contact:
Dale Fenner
(720) 448-3942
dalefenner2@hotmail.com
NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL, Denver Branch
The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.
NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.
For more information, or to become a member of NJDC and the Denver chapter, email sharronsfk@aol.com.
Chapter Board
Chair - Sharron Klein, sharronsfk@aol.com
Vice Chair - David Fogel, dfogel@fogel-law.com
Secretary - Elaine Steinberg, dsteinb105@comcast.net
PR Director - Francine Haber, franhaber@earthlink.net
Recent NJDC, Denver Events
Professor Shaul Gabbay was the featured speaker at the chapter's February meeting.
Attorney Howard Boigon spoke to the Denver Chapter of the NJDC on January 29th at Temple Emanuel. There was a great deal of discussion on current events in Gaza and the history behind these events. In particular, those in attendance were most concerned with how these events are misinterpreted by the press and others casting Israel in a bad light. Howard and his wife, Carol, a Denver councilwoman-at-large, attended the inauguration and gave a detailed overview of the activities and emotions surrounding this momentous event.
COLORADO LATINO FORUM:
http://www.coloradolatinoforum.org/
The CLF is committed to increasing Latino participation and awareness in the electoral process, educating the community on issues vital to the community and perhaps most importantly; increasing the number of Latino office holders in Colorado. CLF offers connectivity between Latino individuals and organizations across the state to achieve its mission, an element that has oftentimes been absent in past efforts in political organizing within the Latino community.
In 16 of Colorado’s 35 Senate Districts and 27 of Colorado’s House Districts, Latinos make up at least 10 percent or more of the total population. The growing numbers of Latinos in the state offer great opportunities in successfully running Latino candidates and other candidates supportive of issues important to our communities.
Currently, Colorado’s political infrastructure lacks the type of statewide organization needed to translate the rising number of Latinos across the state into meaningful political change for Latinos as a whole. The CLF offers to fill this gap. It is estimated that approximately 13-16 percent of Colorado voters in 2008 were Latino. These voters tended to vote overwhelmingly for Barack Obama and a solid majority supported progressive candidates across the state.
Despite this success, the number of Latinos serving in elected office at the federal level and at the State Capitol is at a 25-year low. The CLF has already begun the important process of reaching out to Latino communities and organizations in all areas of Colorado to mobilize Latino voters, identify possible candidates, and build coalitions that will ensure that greater numbers of Latinos are elected in the next election cycle.
Contact Us:
Write: 3480 W. 38th Ave., Denver, CO 80211
Call: 303-350-2660
Fax: 303-458-0757
Email: info@ColoradoLatinoForum.org
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL UNION:
Click here for the Colorado AFL-CIO website to get involved in protecting your rights in the workplace. Click here to see what you can do now.
For more union info, contact:
Colorado AFL-CIO
140 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 201
Denver, CO 80226
Phone: 303-433-2100
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
Colorado Green Drinks Groups
Every month people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks.
We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business. Come along and you'll be made welcome. Just say, "are you green?" and we will look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.
These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. Contact your local node to get the latest info about coming along.
Here are some Green Drinks Groups in Colorado: (click on the links to find out more info)
Aspen
Boulder
Canon City
Carbondale
Denver
Durango
Eagle Valley (Vail)
Evergreen
Fort Collins, CO
Grand Junction
Longmont
Salida
Steamboat Springs
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is a statewide, membership-based coalition of over sixty-five community, faith, labor and youth organizations founded in 2002 to build a unified statewide voice to improve the lives of immigrants and refugees in Colorado and the United States. CIRC achieves this mission through capacity building, non-partisan civic engagement, public relations and winning fair, humane and workable immigration policies.
CIRC's Vision
CIRC believes in the inherent dignity and human rights of every person, regardless of immigration status. CIRC envisions a society in which all women, men and children are treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to fair and just work, housing, health care, and education and the opportunity to live united with family members.
Check out their calendar of events here.
Get the facts about immigration here.
Click here to find out how you can get involved.
Some Progressive Groups in Colorado:
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
ALTERNATIVE FUELS:
There are two kinds of alternate fuels that are readily available that lower your carbon foot print and use AMERICAN resources and create AMERICAN jobs rather than supporting big oil companies and oil nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.
ETHANOL: Cars labeled FlexFuel (now becoming common in some states) can use up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline). E85 burns cleaner than gasoline and is usually cheaper. I have used E85 in California and found it to be 10-40 cents cheaper than the cheapest gasoline at the same station. CLICK HERE TO FIND STATIONS IN COLORADO OFFERING E85. This can be a really good way to help the American economy, help the environment, AND save money.
BIODIESEL: Biodiesel is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel, and is produced right here in the USA. Biodiesel can be used in almost any diesel engine. It is a great way to make a diesel engine much more green.
Here are some biodiesel stations in Colorado:
Colorado Biodiesel: Supporting and advocating Colorado's fastest growing renewable fuel source
phone: 303-800-4650
Blue Sun is an integrated agriculture-energy company and marketer of premium renewable fuel products. Blue Sun products and services are differentiated by proprietary oilseed crops, additives, quality assurance, blending, and distribution infrastructure. Blue Sun oilseed crop R&D and established farmer network, industry-leading QA/QC policies, numerous retail pumps, and well-established distributor network bring you the best-quality diesel fuel possible today.
Go here for a list of pumps in Colorado (as well as a few in other neighboring states). Remember that ANY diesel car or truck can use up to B20 without modification, so most of these stations can serve you.
Here are some other biodiesel stations in Colorado:
Humdingers: 2020 N Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401, 970-249-1331. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
The Catherine Store: 15783 Highway 82, Carbondale, CO 81623, 970-963-2156. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
Alta Fuels: 986 6th St, Alamosa, CO 81101, 719-589-2312. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS. UNATTENDED
Acorn Petroleum: 400 S Santa Fe Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003, 719-542-5479. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open M-F 7AM-4:30
Chief Petroleum: 301 S 10th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, 719-473-7760. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS.
Acorn Petroleum: 529 Sahwatch St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903, 719-634-8874. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open M-F 7AM-4:30.
Chief Petroleum: 2808 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. 719-473-7760. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS (UNATTENDED).
Evergreen Market/Norwood Gas: 5071 Highway 73, Evergreen, CO 80439, 303-670-0452. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Cox Oil Company: 555 E 8th Street, Greeley, CO 80631, 970-352-9208. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Shoco: 5135 E. 74th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022, 303-289-1677. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine) and B100 (ok for newer diesel engines, some older engines may have problems). Open 24 HRS; B100 available M-F 6-6 SA 6-NOON.
Poudre Valley coop: 225 NW Frontage Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524, 970-221-5300. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Team Petroleum: 105 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524, 970-482-2533.Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Offen Petroleum: 5201 York Street, Denver, CO 80216, 303-297-3835. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Green Brothers Oil Company: 5335 Harrison St, Denver, CO 80216, 303-295-7669. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 6AM-5PM SAT 7-NOON.
Bartkus Oil Company: 3501 Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80301, 303-442-6000. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
Denver Biodiesel Coop: 3600 Clay street, Denver, CO 80211, 303-256-8494. Offers B100 MEMBERS ONLY BY APPOINTMENT. call for more info
Hill Petroleum: 6291 W Ralston Ave, Arvada, CO 80002, 303-424-6262. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRS
ProCo Pump: 16500 S Golden Rd, Golden, CO 80401, 303-278-4490. Offers B100 (ok for newer diesel engines, some older engines may have problems). Open M-F 8-6 SA 9-3
Western Convenience: 810 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104, 303-688-3508. Offers B20 (good in any diesel engine). Open 24 HRs.
COLORADO FOOD CO-OPS
It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. So I will list some local food co-ops in Colorado:
Valley Food Co-op
3211 Main Street Suite G
Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Phone: (719) 589-5727
Durango Natural Foods
575 E 8th Avenue
Durango, Colorado 81301
Phone: (970) 257-8129
FAX: (970) 382-9477
info@durangonaturalfoods.coop
website: www.durangonaturalfoods.coop
Fort Collins Food Co-op
250 East Mountain Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Phone: (970) 484-7448
foodcoop@ftcfoodcoop.com
http://www.ftcfoodcoop.com/
The Fort Collins Food Co-operative offers fresh, local food, with a commitment to education, transparency to its sourcing and to the local circle of profit. The Market is a place for you to find the best local food, learn and support your community.
Huajatollas Food Co-op
106 County Road 632
Gardner, Colorado 81040
Phone: (719) 746-2314
High Plains Food Coop
5655 S. Yosemite St., Suite 400
Greenwoods Village, Colorado 80111
Phone: 785-626-3640
info@highplainsfood.org
http://highplainsfood.org/
This is one of the best sounding co-ops I have come across because it coordinates producers with consumers online and provides delivery. THIS is how a 21st Century food co-op.
Modeling from the Oklahoma Food Cooperative and the Nebraska Food Cooperative the High Plains Food Coop is a grassroots network of High Plains and Rocky Mountain Front Range producers and consumers uniting interests in locally grown food and other locally made products. The High Plains Food Cooperative strives to be a business that is environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially just. To foster a local food community and promote a culture of stewardship by cultivating farmer-consumer relationships, promoting the enjoyment of healthful food, increasing food security through diversity, and enhancing overall rural sustainability. We bring the farmer's market to your front door.
Once you join, you can order online and they deliver! The Online Food Market is intended to bring fresh, healthy, locally grown and produced food to you, the buyer, in a cost-effective and easy manner. Product selection will vary by season. While many of our producers are organic, we also support the sustainable practices of the small non-certified farmer. We believe in the quality and freshness of foods and whether food is produced in an ethical and sustainable manner.
In summary, you'll use the computer to purchase fresh, local produce and other locally produced goods in quantities you can use.
Producers can also sell their products through this co-op.
Mountain People's Co-op
30 E. First St PO Box 161
Nederland, Colorado 80466
Phone: (303) 258-7500
FAX: (303) 258-7500
Natural Foods Market & Buyers Co-op
112 Colorado Avenue
Pueblo, Colorado 81004
Phone: (719) 545-2958
FAX: (719) 545-0669
SDA Coop
106 Division Avenue
Sterling, Colorado 80751
Phone: (970) 265-2642
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY:
Some statistics from Repower America:
* Colorado's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power over 7,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $5.4 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 10,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.
* National Wind, along with Sedgwick, Phillips, and Logan County landowners, will create the state’s largest community-based wind development. The 400-megawatt project could produce enough electricity to power 120,000 homes.
* The state has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all investor-owned utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020, with at least 4% from solar energy. The RPS also requires municipal utilities and rural electric providers to achieve a renewable energy goal of 10% by 2020.
Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in Colorado, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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