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Message from the Chair
We're getting closer to our March 6 Democratic caucus and I hope everybody is being proactive about checking to see if they have a new precinct number or even a new house district. One of the reasons to attend caucus this year would be to understand the changes in your districts and what that might mean in the general election this fall. We are meeting at larger venues so that it might be easier to share information. Go to LarimerDems.org for registration links and caucus locations, and pick up your tickets to our Annual Dinner and Silent Auction while you're there.One of those new districts we all share is Congressional District 2. Congressman Jared Polis will be kicking his campaign for re-election right here in Larimer County on Feb. 19 at Odell's Brewery. I hope we can show our new representative how thrilled we are to get another chance at good public policy in Washington. See the details below and help welcome Representative Polis to Larimer County.
Just in case you missed it, Representative Randy Fischer was honored as the Colorado Democratic Party's 2012 Democrat of the Year last Saturday in Denver. Representative Fischer is a perfect example of the selfless advocate for jobs, education, and the environment that we need in all our elected offices. Now would be a great time to thank Randy for his hard work and offer your support.
--William Russell
"Hope is when a child with a pre-existing condition won't be
denied health coverage or one that already has health coverage will
not be dropped from coverage just because they are ill;
Change is Barack Obama, who ended that scourge for our country."
--Cory Booker
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 Party News Tuesday, March 6:
Democratic CaucusDemocrats across Colorado will caucus on Tuesday, March 6. Precinct numbers and boundaries have changed. Visit www.Larimer.org/elections and click on Am I Registered? to find your new precinct number. Visit Date & Time: Tuesday, March 6; Sign-in at 6:30 pm, Caucus meetings begin at 7:00 pm Location: Multiple locations throughout Larimer County For more information, email Secretary@LarimerDems.orgThursday, March 1: Nominations for the Larimer Democrats Awards Due Every year at the Larimer County Democrats Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, we recognize volunteers with awards. We are taking nominations for our annual awards at our office e-mail, info@larimerdems.org. Please read the short descriptions below, write us a nice little letter celebrating the folks that most resemble that description and send it in. We will close the nominations at the end of business Thursday, March 1. Robin Murphy Davis Award This award honors a Larimer County Democrat whose efforts have made a material change in Larimer County Democratic political activities or successes. It is meant to honor an individual whose vision and demeanor has inspired many of us. Volunteer of the Year This award is to recognize those unsung heroes who give us all so much by providing tireless support, wide ranging contributions and playing all over the field. Lifetime Achievement Award Honoring decades of contributions to success in Larimer County Democratic politics.
Saturday, March 31:2012 Annual Dinner & Silent Auction
Please reserve your seats for our Annual Dinner & Silent Auction by going to
and clicking on the Annual Dinner link on your left. We will hear from many of our Larimer County candidates--from Congressman Jared Polis to Colorado Democratic Party Democrat of the Year, Representative Randy Fischer. Our keynote speaker is John Nichols, renowned political correspondent for The Nation and the author of many books on contemporary American politics and media.
Reserve your table early for this event. It's a very busy first quarter of a crucial election year, join us to keep up with the campaigns and district changes.
Silent Auction Donations
Our 1st Vice Chair, Linda Bersch, did a fantastic job with the Silent Auction at our Annual Dinner in 2011.This year, let's give Linda a hand in bringing more donations and contributions. I'm donating lobster dinners at my family's Memorial Day Lobster Steam. I bring in the lobsters from the pristine waters of Hancock County, Me., and the salad greens come from my own garden. Please come up with something special to donate to your Larimer County Democrats in 2012. It's going to be a great auction and a great election.
Donations can be delivered to the Larimer County Democrats office, 606 South Mason, Fort Collins during office hours or to the Shaffer Law office, 218 East Sixth Street, Loveland between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm weekdays.
Important Dates
Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Democratic Precinct Caucuses
Find your precinct and location by visiting www.LarimerDems.org
Saturday, March 10, 2012: Larimer County Democrats Convention & Assembly Saturday, March 31: Larimer County Democrats 2012 Annual Dinner & Silent Auction
Saturday, April 14, 2012: Colorado Democrats Convention & Assembly in Pueblo
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Campaign News
Sunday, February 19:
Jared Polis for Congress Larimer County Campaign Kick-Off
February 19th marks the first day of the 2012 campaign for the new 2nd Congressional District. The new district has undergone big changes, adding all of Larimer County while losing areas of suburban Denver. We are going to need your help to ensure a Democratic victory in the new 2nd District and to keep Congressman Polis' effective leadership in the U.S. House. Please join Jared on Sunday February 19 to learn more about the campaign and to keep Colorado and America moving forward.
We hope you will attend to show your support for Jared Polis for Congress!
Larimer County Campaign Kick-Off Event
Date & Time: Sunday February 19, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Odell Brewing Co., 800 East Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins
RSVP is encouraged please click on the link
www.polisforcongress.com/events or contact the campaign at 303-381-0121
Organizing for America - Fort CollinsWe're actively building our grassroots volunteer base in Fort Collins. We have 4 teams and more are forming. Please join one of our teams and help us work to re-elect President Obama. You can also visit my.barackobama.com and find a volunteer team by entering your zip code. NE Fort Collins Weekly Phonebank
Date & Time: Every Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: OFA Headquarters, 401 S. Mason St. Fort Collins
NW Fort Collins Weekly PhonebankDate & Time: Every Tuesday; 6:00 - 8:00 pm Location: OFA Headquarters, 401 S. Mason St. Fort Collins
SE Fort Collins Weekly Phonebank
Date & Time: Every Wednesday; 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: 850 E Drake Rd, Scotch Pines Clubhouse, Fort Collins;
SW Fort Collins Weekly Phonebank
Date & Time: Every Thursday, 5:30 - 8:30 pm Location: 2218 Bronson St, Fort Collins
Organizing for America - Loveland
With the election only 9 months away, it's time to roll up our sleeves to ensure that our President is re-elected AND that he has a Congress that will work with him to support the People; not just big corporations and special interests. Our East and West Loveland teams are forming now! If you want to learn about this exciting campaign and how you can make a huge difference in just a few hours, please join us - no experience needed. We are making history and making friends for life.
West Loveland Weekly Call Party/CanvassDate & Time: Every Monday, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
East Loveland Weekly Call Party/CanvassDate & Time: Every Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: 2489 Hampstead Dr, Loveland
RSVP: David 913 558-4784
West Team Meeting
Gather with neighbors to plan strategies for getting West-side Loveland voters involved.
Date & Time: Thursday, February 23, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
East Team Meeting
Gather with neighbors to plan strategies for getting East-side Loveland voters involved.
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 13, 6:30- 8:30 pm
Location: 2489 Hampstead Dr, Loveland
RSVP: David 913 558-4784
Letters to the Editor Workshop
Learn the basics of writing a letter to the editor of local and national newspapers. It's a lot easier than you might think! Let's change the tone of the conversation at the Reporter Herald.
Date & Time: Next Workshop on March 10,10:00 am - Noon
Location: 1970 Saguache Pl, Loveland
RSVP: Kathryn 714 317-3039
Omelets For America - Sunday Brunch
Don't miss this one! We gather every month to enjoy a home-cooked, hearty breakfast, catch up with neighbors and friends and to support a local charity, organization or political candidate. Our March brunch will be in support of Mark Shaffer - House District 51 Candidate!
Date & Time: Sunday, March 11, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: 1970 Saguache Pl, Loveland
RSVP: Kathryn 714 317-3039
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Community News
DBC Luncheon: Monisha Merchant
Monisha Merchant, Senior Business Advisor to Senator Michael Bennet, will present the February 14th luncheon program for the Democratic Business Coalition. Her primary focus is on support of the Colorado business community and economic development. Previously, Monisha was a Senior Director of Product Management at Level 3 Communications, a Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and a Senior Engineer at Lucent Technologies. At the Feb 14 program, Monisha will address local and national initiatives and policy issues, as well as receive input on federal issues.
This event is open to the public.
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 14, noon - 1:00 pm
Location: Community Room of the Home State Bank, 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins
Brown bag it, or order a catered sandwich or salad by contacting M. L. Johnson at 970-495-0532 or mjohnson@lamar.colostate.edu
Saturday, February 18
Community Conversation with Rep. Kefalas
Please join Rep. Kefalas for a dynamic, informal and open conversation to discuss issues that are important to constituents. This Community Conversation is a laid back way to locally engage in issues that affect us statewide. While you are there, help support your local independent businesses by buying a book and grabbing a cup of coffee.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 18, 9:00 - 10:00 am
Location: Reader's Cove Bookstore, 1001 East Harmony Road #C, Fort Collins
Saturday, February 18:
Lynn Alldrin Arts & Crafts Silent Auction & Sale
Includes jewelry designed and crafted by Lynn Alldrin as well as art, pottery and crafts from her collection.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 18, 2012, 10:00 am - 2 pm
Location: Fort Collins Mennonite Church, 300 E. Oak Street
light refreshments will be provided.
For more information and if you would like to help: Lou Anderson (224-5018); readmoreLou@msn.com
Sunday, February 19:
Namaqua Forum: Kids in Crisis: Homeless Youth in Loveland A panel discussion moderated by Mayor Cecil Gutierrez looking at the homeless situation in Loveland one year later, with emphasis on homeless youth.
Panel members include: Bryce Hach, Executive Director, Homeward 2020; Sheila Pottorff, Principal of Ferguson High School; and a representative of the Loveland Police Department.
The panel discussion will center around the extent of homeless youth, how is it being managed now, what are other communities doing, and how should we best proceed here in Loveland.
Date & Time: Sunday, February 19, 7:00 pm
Location: Ferguson High School, 1101 Hilltop Dr., Loveland
Saturday, February 25:
League of Women Voters: Money and Politics
Ken Gordon, former Majority leader of the Colorado Senate, will discuss the fall-out from the Supreme Court decision on Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission, which gave the green light to corporations and unions to contribute unlimited money to help candidates win elections. As he points out, "there has always been a barrier between wealth inequality and political equality... but the Supreme Court decision has destroyed this barrier."
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Larimer County.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 25, 1 pm
Location: All Saints Episcopal Church, 3448 Taft Ave., Loveland
Saturday, February 25:
Take Back Your Government by Sen. Morgan Caroll
Book Reading and Signing
Join Colorado Senator Morgan Carroll at a reading, book signing and discussion about citizen activism. Sen. Carroll's book, Take Back your Government: A Citizen's Guide to Grassroots Change brings us an inside look at how state legislatures really work and how ordinary citizens can make and change law and policy in their state and become their own lobbyists. This hands-on guide includes practical tips, form letters, documents, checklists, online content, and resources to empower all citizens to help make government work for them.
Date & Time: Saturday, February 25, 2:00 pm
Location: Barnes & Noble, 5835 Sky Pond Drive, Loveland
More on the book can be found at: www.takebackyourgovt.comWednesday, February 29:
Breakfast Forum welcomes Tom Griggs, Candidate for HD 52 Please note the Breakfast Forum decided to change the March Forum to February 29th in order to accommodate all HD 52 candidates prior to the March 6th Precinct Caucus. Our next Forum will be in April. Please join us and welcome Tom Griggs. Hear his plans to represent residents of HD 52, how he arrived at his decision, and take this opportunity to get your questions answered. HD 52 is held by John Kefalas who is running for Colorado State Senate. Date & Time: Wednesday, February 29, 7:30 - 9:30 am
Location: Fort Collins Hilton, 802 Prospect Rd., Fort Collins
RSVP: Lou Anderson, 224-5018, or email: breakfastforum@gmail.com. A food item/$1 donation will be appreciated towards the Food Bank.
The Tim Caffrey Show
Please watch my interview with Rep. Jared Polis on The Tim Caffrey Show on Fort Collins Comcast Cable channel 97 on the following days and times:
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 pm
Friday, February 17, noon
Sunday, February 19, 3:30 pm
or follow the link for more information, The Tim Caffrey Show
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Regular Meetings
Larimer County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting
Monthly business meeting. All are welcome!
Date & Time: Third Thursdays, 6:30 pm social, Meeting at 7:00 pm
Location: Larimer County Democrats HQ, 606 S. Mason Street, Fort Collins
Email Secretary@LarimerDems.org for questions or more information.
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Contact Us
Visit www.larimerdems.org/officers.html for a full list of Larimer County Democrats elected leaders and committee chairs.
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Newsletter Submission Information
Our deadline for newsletter items is Sunday at 5:00 pm for publishing by email on Tuesday mornings. Most items are limited to 75 words (not including title and "date & time, location, contact" type information). If your submission is longer, it will be cut. We suggest including a link for additional information. We will run each newsletter item up to two times. Please send newsletter items to newsletter@larimerdems.org
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The Larimer County Democratic Party distributes information on candidates and candidate events and invites candidates to speak at our party functions because this information is helpful to those who care about political progress. The Larimer County Democratic Party Newsletter includes announcements of events for independent groups and initiatives not affiliated with the Democratic Party. Inclusion here is for information only and does not imply an endorsement. Paid for by the Larimer County Democratic Party.
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