Welcome to the second edition of the Local Progress Colorado State Download! We are thrilled to continue sharing the impactful work driven by our Local Progress Colorado members. In this edition, we explore the critical work being done to build worker power and strengthen labor protections, including a recent webinar on collective bargaining that connected members with local and national partners.
We also highlight the Denver Progressive Governance Academy training, which brought Denver City Council members together to set shared priorities and advance collaborative governance. Additionally, we reflect on a cross-city partnership with the Local Progress network, showcasing how in-network collaboration is driving innovative solutions to shared challenges. Be sure to check out the opportunities below to get involved and support the transformative work our members are leading across the state!
Local Progress Colorado (LPCO) hosted our inaugural Progressive Governance Academy training for Denver City Councilmembers on October 18th and 19th! The two-day training brought together Councilmembers Flor Alvidrez, Sarah Parady, Shontel Lewis, and Serena Gonzales-Guttierez for in-depth sessions led by trainers and Local Progress leaders Delishia Porterfield, Councilmember from Nashville, TN and Carlos Menchaca, former Councilmember from New York City. This training emphasized collaborative governance and focused on setting shared priorities among Denver leaders to drive collective change. By fostering dialogue and skill-building, we are strengthening the capacity of local elected officials to advance progressive policies and address critical issues facing our communities.
In our efforts to build worker power and strengthen protections for labor, LPCO hosted a webinar on collective bargaining that brought together diverse voices from across the state. Facilitated by two LPCO members, Council Member Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez and Council Member Shontel Lewis, alongside national partner Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) and local partner Katie Romich from CWA, the session engaged 33 community members, including LPCO members and alumni. Participants included representatives from IATSE 7, Teamsters Local 455, Working Families Party Colorado, How Sh*t Gets Done in Denver, Coloradans for the Common Good, Sheet Metal Workers SMART 9, and Denver Public Library Workers United. This collaborative discussion explored the Denver Ballot Initiative 2U: Collective bargaining for Municipal Workers in the context of the larger Labor picture across the state and fostered connections between members and Labor partners – equipping participants with tools to advocate for stronger labor protections and equitable workplaces.
LPCO is making connections across the country! In alignment with our mission to build governing and organizing infrastructure across not just Colorado but our entire national LP network, LPCO hosted a collaborative dinner on October 15 with Local Progress Texas members from the Austin City Council and LPCO members from the Denver City Council. This gathering facilitated discussions on innovative local solutions to the housing affordability crisis, harm reduction strategies for unhoused community members, and creative approaches to addressing shared challenges like state preemption.
Over this past weekend, we were joined by Local Progress members and partners across the state, including the Sierra Club, SEIU 105, Working Families Party Colorado, and Colorado Homes for All, to identify what key issues we will be fighting for in 2025. Immigration justice emerged as a central theme, with a focus on protecting immigrant and undocumented communities through local policies. Additionally, members identified leading the fight for rent stabilization; enabling Local Progress to represent local electeds in the fight to repeal TABOR; translocal solutions to free speech protections and defending criminal justice reforms, and so much more.
We also discussed fighting for equitable and increased public school funding; bolstering multimodal transit and transportation infrastructure; implementing state habitability laws at the local level and increasing protections for renters and mobile home owners; and connecting Local Progress members with issue based partners to increase statewide coordination on the issues that matter the most to our membership as our key goals for the year ahead.
We’re thrilled about the energy and vision everyone brought to the table and look forward to building on this momentum in the coming months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts or if you’d like to get more involved in any of these initiatives and keep an eye out for our in-depth recap of the strategy meeting, which includes copies of our partner presentations and a wealth of resources to prepare us for the upcoming year!
☀️ Recruit New Members!
Our members are our best recruiters! Do you know a local elected official in Colorado who could benefit from the Local Progress network? Have them sign up HERE or send an email to Colorado Coordinator, Grace, to learn more about how Local Progress can support them!
✅ Apply to join our Organizing Committee
💰 ARPA Deadline is Fast Approaching!
Leaders across the Local Progress network seized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronaivrus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for recovery programs informed by the principles of advancing equity, reimagining public safety and advancing worker’s rights. The deadline for local governments to obligate ARPA SLFRF funds is December 31, 2024. Remember, budgeting is not the same as obligating. For more information about what obligating means, check out this resource.
🧰 Resources & Opportunities
The incoming Trump administration has promised to implement policies that will attempt to undo all the progress we have made toward building a more just multi-racial democracy. We know that a second Trump Presidency will be even more destructive than the first. We also know that we’re capable of meeting the moment. Local Progress members were at the forefront of fighting back during the first Trump Presidency, and as we approach another four years, it’s up to us to defend our communities and our democracy. Local Progress Impact Lab have designed a toolkit for local elected officials that outlines strategies to navigate the threats posed by an authoritarian regime: Toolkit for Local Elected Officials in Second Trump Administration
And check out this new policy memo: Unpacking the McKinney-Vento Act: Understanding Your School Districts’ Obligation to Students Experiencing Homelessness
This year, we’ve hosted an incredible series of Policy & Strategy Primers, which are virtual learning sessions designed especially for new members and newly elected folks. Visit the site for upcoming trainings and in the meantime, browse through our resources library here.
❤️ Join an LP Caucus!
LP now has three established identity-based caucuses:the Black Caucus, the Women’s Caucus and the Nuestro Caucus, as well as one newly forming caucus: the 🌈 Pride Caucus 🌈! Each caucus represents a space for healing justice, community building and policy organizing with other members who share your lived experience. For LGBTQ+ members, we are calling on you to fill out our survey and join a listening session. The survey can be found here, and stay tuned for our next listening session dates in the new year!
Local Progress Black Caucus is hosting a post-election call on January 29 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET, where we will take time to talk about what this coming year will look like for all of us AND what tools we collectively have to take action and support one another. This call will be an opportunity to process questions or feelings you might be having going into 2025 in a safe space but will also ground us in the tools and systems of support that we have as part of this LP Black Caucus. Register here!
We are also excited to announce that on February 12 at 3pm PT / 6 pm ET, we are hosting our first All Caucus member call. This will be a space to reflect on the lessons learned over the last 5 years of caucus development, preview our plan for restructuring caucus staffing support and to do some healing justice and renewal work together. Register here!
Just announced: our 2025 National Convening will be in Chicago, IL on July 10-12! Local Progress’s annual National Convening is a space to exchange ideas, seek inspiration, and strategize together. It’s the place to feel seen in our struggles and affirmed in our resolve and resilience, and, most importantly, to find support and share joy – especially in the darkest moments. Information on registration, financial aid, and logistics is forthcoming but, for now, save the date to join us!
We are organizing a partners pipeline briefing to connect the existing movement pipeline to support the transition from candidate to elected as they step in these new roles to lead and govern. During this briefing, partners will:
- Learn about LP and the Impact Lab’s network and our strategic framework.
- Learn about the impact of LP and the Impact Lab’s work.
- Gain an understanding of how they can support the movement pipeline from candidate to governance.
As we wrap up 2024, I am reflecting on all of the incredible work of our LPCO Members across the state, and thrilled for what’s to come in 2025. As always, please don’t hesitate to schedule a time to chat and I can’t wait to see you all in the New Year!
