In This Issue
- A Message From Your Board of Directors
- Upcoming Ballot Issues Presentations
- Learn About Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting
- Cool, Colorful, Limited-Edition "I Voted" Stickers!
- Meetings You Don't Want to Miss
- LWVLC Advocacy in Loveland
- Play League-O!
- Welcome, New Members!
- And Now You Know: League Stances, Election Rumors
- Last Seen Tabling
| | From Your Board of Directors |
Initially Focused on GOTV Efforts, Now Also an Environmental Advocate: Meet Board Member and LWVLC Secretary, Julie Hellman | | Hello, Fellow Leaguers!
I joined the League of Women Voters of Larimer County about 4 years ago with the singular goal to encourage as many people to vote in the upcoming election as possible. Naturally, I joined the Voter Services Team and was swept up in a frenzy of writing postcards and advocating for Vote411.org.
After the election, I was drawn to the education side of the LWVLC and gravitated toward the Environmental Team. It has been an eye-opening experience! Each month, our meeting includes updates from our Team members on specific environmental aspects happening in Larimer County and also a guest speaker educating us on an important issue close by. | | | Imagine my shock during September's meeting when I heard our guest speaker, Dr. Doreen Martinez, informing us about a proposed batch cement plant, to be built here in Fort Collins along the southwest shore of Terry Lake.
Aragon Holdings Concrete Batch Plant would be located at 516 N Highway 287 and has generated fierce local opposition. The placement of this plant so close to vulnerable residents would surely cause serious health risks and prevailing winds would also deposit toxic pollutants into Terry Lake -- not to mention the extra 158 concrete trucks per day driving up and down Highway 287. Dr. Martinez is realistic and doesn't expect to stop a batch plant from being built, but is opposed to a batch plant being built in this sensitive location.
At this time, the City of Fort Collins has already unanimously passed a resolution opposing the plant. It is now under consideration by the Larimer County Commissioners. For more information, please visit https://beatthebatch.org/.
Julie Hellman
Secretary, LWVLC Board of Directors
| Happy 90th Birthday Wishes to Barb Irelan
on October 30th!!
Barb has been a League member since joining in 1960 and has been a strong advocate for affordable housing. If you'd like to send Barb a birthday greeting, you'll find her address in the Member Directory, which is on our LWVLC website under Member Resources > Find a Member.
| Election 2024 - Ballot Issues Presentations
Presenters will explain and offer background information on the 14 statewide issues that will be on the ballot for the November 5 election, plus a selection of local ballot issues tailored to the venue location. These presentations are open to the public.
| Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Poudre Library System-sponsored presentation via Zoom
Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
In person: Namaqua Unitarian Universalist Church, 745 E Fifth St, Loveland
OR via Zoom
Thursday, October 17, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Harmony Library, 4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins
Sunday, October 20, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
BILINGUAL English/Spanish
Northside Atzlan Community Center, 112 E Willow St, Fort Collins
| South Larimer Discussion Group
Ballot Issues Presentation
Wednesday, October 16, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
In person at Namaqua Unitarian Church, 745 Fifth St, Loveland and on Zoom
On Wednesday, October 16, the South Larimer Discussion Group will host a Voter Services Ballot Issue Presentation. You can attend the event in person at the Namaqua Unitarian Church at 745 Fifth St in Loveland, or attend via Zoom. Register on the LWVLC Calendar to receive the Zoom link for the meeting.
| | Proposition 131
Our Election Reform Team says this measure will bring much-needed changes to how our elections work by introducing both open primaries and ranked choice voting for all state and federal offices (except President).
| | | -- With Open Primaries, voters will be empowered to choose from ALL the primary candidates (regardless of political party) to decide which four will advance to the general election. Having an open primary is a simple but powerful way to make sure our elections belong to us -- the voters -- not just the political parties. We believe this is a great step toward fairer and more representative elections.
-- Ranked Choice Voting, as you know, allows us to rank candidates by preference, so that in the general election we can rank all four candidates without worrying about "wasting" our vote. | Just in Time!
Learn About Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting! | |
The Election Reform Team invites League members to a showing of the documentary Majority Rules at the Lyric on Sunday, October 20th, at 3:00 PM and on Thursday, October 24rh, at 6:00 PM.
The film is about Alaska's Open Primary and Final-Four (RCV) voting system, and how that has changed the way candidates run their campaigns.
The showing will be free and is being sponsored by RepresentUS, Represent Fort Collins, and Veterans for All Voters. Reserve your free tickets prior to showings (see below).
Q & A will follow on ballot issues Proposition 131 after the showing.
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LIMITED QUANTITY – ACT NOW!
The League recently learned that a Fort Collins student, Cosmo Bell, was named the winner of the State “I Voted” digital sticker contest.
In recognition of Cosmo’s important honor, the League has decided to make the digital sticker – well – a “real” sticker. We recently printed a limited number of peelable stickers for distribution.
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If you are interested in a sticker or would like some for an upcoming event, please contact:
- Julie Hellman (juliehellman@aol.com) - for pick-up at Julie’s home in Timnath.
- Janet Schultz (jtorreyschultz@gmail.com)– for pick up at Janet’s home in Fort Collins or at the Thursday, October 17, ballot issues presentation at the Harmony Public Library on South Shields.
- Pat Burger (pathburger@gmail.com) – for pick up at Pat’s home in Windsor or at the Thursday, October 17, bingo night at Fort Collins’ Breckenridge Brewery.
You can learn about this contest, Cosmo’s definition of “democracy,” and the County sticker contest winner by visiting our League’s website. Just click on the “Congratulations to Sticker Contest Winners" box on the homepage.
|
Environmental Team Meeting
Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 - 11:30 via Zoom
The educational portion of the October meeting will feature Kevin Cross from the Fort Collins Sustainability Group (FCSG). The FCSG has been advocating for a "Large Methane User Fee" (LMUF) over the past 6 months or so, initially as an alternative to increasing the "franchise fee" on natural gas for all Xcel customers within Fort Collins city limits.
Also, Julie Hellman will report on the draft Larimer County Water Plan and the Commissioners' intentions to hold future sessions for community input.
We also want to hear about the activities of our Interest Groups -- and to hear what's on YOUR mind.
| Washington Post Publishes Letter to the Editor by LWVCO Member Iris Clark
Congratulations and thank you to Iris!
Iris is a member of the Pueblo League and a member of LWVCO's News Access and Literacy Task Force.
You can read the letter HERE, then register for the October 15 meeting HERE so you can join such illustrious members of the statewide LWVCO News Access and Literacy Task Force, led by Larimer League member Linda Hutchinson.
| November General Meeting - Register Now!
Monday, November 18, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Fort Collins Senior Center, Foxtail Rooms 1 & 2
The Case for Energy Efficiency & Electrification
The November General Meeting is being hosted by the Environmental Team and will feature two local experts from Citizens' Climate Education. Learn about the why and how to make your home more energy efficient. Find out how to sign up for a free Go Electric Colorado consultation. Hear about the significant rebates that are available. Talk with several environmental advocacy groups in the area. This program is interactive, with lots of time for questions.
We will explore the case for the energy transition and provide guidance on the options, incentives, and processes to make your home not only more energy efficient and climate friendly, but safer, healthier, and more comfortable. The presentation is open to the public.
| | What's Your League Been Up To? | Continued High-Profile Advocacy in Loveland
The LWVLC has intensified its campaign to persuade Loveland residents to vote in favor of Loveland ballot measure 2E, which is a proposal for a 1% increase in the city's sales tax on non-food items. Your local League made the decision to go public with a support stance on this issue in early September, after some South Larimer Discussion Group members evaluated the proposed sales tax increase and its surrounding circumstances against established League positions.
This month's advocacy featured a Guest Opinion column published in the Loveland Herald-Reporter on October 10.
You can read a copy of the published column below.
|  |  | | Is YOUR League-O card complete?
Don't forget! You can win a prize!
It's fun and easy to play!
2. Complete 5 or more activities (not necessarily in a row).
3. Then log your completed activities on the Google form here:
4. Submit your completed form by November 13th to be entered into the prize drawing.
Thank you for getting involved to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy!
| | | Introducing Our New Members | | Kate Juracki
Journalism has been Kate Juracki's career for decades, after graduating with her journalism degree from University of Ohio at Athens.
She recently retired from her post as editor of CSU's alumni magazine and, before that, she was editor at Biz West.
Kate joined LWV to pitch in for Election 2024 and she was all smiles after registering 2 dozen voters at Rocky Mountain High School. She has applied to be an election judge for Larimer County. She did this job for Jefferson County decades ago.
Kate's adult son is studying horticulture at CSU. Her daughter works at Stanford Medical. Kate's home was in Conifer and Evergreen for many years until 2001, when she and her husband moved to Fort Collins. Kate really enjoys copy editing -- which will be so useful for League projects.
//Editor's note: Useful, indeed. An outlet for an editing passion comes immediately to mind...// | | | | Scothia Orr moved over the mountains to Fort Collins from Grand Junction 3 years ago. Her background as an RN has included Hospice and Geriatrics. She holds certifications in Holistic Nursing and Health and Wellness Nurse Coaching. She enjoys volunteering at her place of worship as a Faith Community Nurse. Currently, she's with Columbine Poudre Home Care helping clients manage their health issues when returning home from the hospital or rehab facilities.
Scothia has two married sons and two grandchlldren who give her much joy -- and an opportunity to enjoy sewing tiny clothes!
Like many Coloradans, Scothia's hobbies include outside activity: gardening, hiking, and collecting small rocks. Her experience working in the healthcare field has motivated her interested in healthcare reform. She is hoping to get more involved through LWV in educating and registering young voters. | | |  | | Sharon Smith
was born in Texas but moved early in her life to Colorado Springs. The majority of her teaching career was spent in Aurora, with the last decade-plus at Crawford Elementary School, teaching a large population of immigrants and refugees. Teaching these students was particularly satisfying for Sharon because she embedded cultural components into her art curriculum.
Eight years ago, Sharon retired from teaching and moved to Fort Collins to be near her daughter and three grandchildren. She is extremely close to her granddaughter, who currently attends Colorado Mountain College. They both share a passion for the outdoors. As an outlet during COVID, Sharon and her granddaughter took up paddleboarding. Paddleboarding on Horsetooth Reservoir is one of Sharon's "happy places and activities." Another is xeriscaping her backyard and spending time with her two dogs, Ginger and Peyton. Ginger is a certified therapy dog and they volunteer for "Caring Canines," a nonprofit that interacts with seniors and school kids.
Sharon is amazed by the breadth of the League issues teams and she's excited to learn about the National Popular Vote, the Electoral College, and local issues. | | | We Also Welcome the Following New Members: | | Suzanne Bassinger
Leta Behrens
Linda Boren-Burrous
Marian Lilley
Wanda Marker
| | Linda Mitchell
Danielle Shields
David Roller
Marion Underwood
Susan Williams | | |  | Rumors Report: 2024 General Election
October 2, 2024
Overview
The Algorithmic Transparency Institute, a project of the National Conference on Citizenship, is partnering with the League of Women Voters during the 2024 U.S. general election to inform LWV and its State Leagues about narratives circulating online related to elections, democracy, and voting. This report summarizes key narratives based on internal monitoring by ATI and tips submitted by our volunteer network.
Summary of Narratives
National Narratives
- Misleading Claim: An academic paper found that 10-27% of non-citizens are registered to vote.
- Misleading Claim: Postal workers cannot be trusted with election mail after union endorsement.
State Narratives
- Misleading Claim: 200,000 non-citizens could vote in Arizona elections.
- Confusion: Why were 700,000 North Carolina voters removed from the rolls?
- Update: Will undated mail-in ballots be accepted in Pennsylvania?
Click HERE to discover what data deficits lead to these confusing narratives and where you can point people for more accurate information.
| Where Does the League Stand on
This Election's Ballot Issues? | Registering Voters for Housing Catalyst
LWVLC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead Cindy Linafelter joined League Members Betty Marshall, Christine Lehmann, and Sharon Smith to register voters for Housing Catalyst (formerly known as the Fort Collins Housing Authority). The group tabled at the Redtail Building and Mason Place on October 8.
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