The LWVD Newsletter
November 2025 | November Briefing
Tuesday, November 18
5:30 p.m.
By Zoom
Misinformation, disinformation and news deserts are not just the fault of the internet. Our November briefing will focus on what is at stake in our democracy if we lose access to local newspapers and freedom of the press. Along with freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble, freedom of the press has been part of the Bill of Rights since 1791, and all these rights are now under threat.
The evening will begin with showing the trailer for the award-winning documentary film, Stripped for Parts: Journalism on the Brink. Then we will turn over the discussion to two knowledgeable speakers, Larry Ryckman and David Wolfgang (see their bios below). Larry, a reporter for The Colorado Sun, appears in the documentary and will comment on the way in which newsrooms have been gutted when hedge funds buy them out to extract profit for shareholders rather than maintain them as valuable community resources. Hence, "stripped for parts." David, a professor of journalism and attorney, will discuss, broadly, the structural, financial, policy, and legal issues that stand in the way of a free press and the greater concern of how to restore the role journalism used to serve as a public trust.
In preparation for this event, please consider watching Stripped for Parts, which you can stream on PBS.
It's easy to join our briefing by Zoom, so be sure to invite friends and neighbors!
League position: We support credible and ethical journalism as essential to our democracy.
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Larry Ryckman appears in the award-winning documentary Stripped for Parts: Journalism on the Brink and is publisher and co-founder of The Colorado Sun. Previously he was senior editor at The Denver Post, managing editor at The Gazette in Colorado Springs and city editor at the Greeley Tribune. Ryckman spent 22 years at The Associated Press, where he was assistant managing editor, a national editor and supervisor of the AP's national desk in New York. |
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David Wolfgang is an associate professor of journalism and media communication at CSU whose work examines the relationship between journalists, audiences, and democratic discourse. A former journalist and trained media law scholar, he studies how journalistic practices, professional norms, and public dialogue shape the role of the press in society. |
| Voter Service in Action
Vote Baby Vote
You should have received your ballot in the mail. Ballots are due by November 4 at 7:00 p.m. You can place them in a drop box or mail them, in order to be received by election day. You can vote in person, if you prefer, at a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC). The locations of both drop boxes and VSPCs can be found in your ballot envelope and on the website JustVoteColorado.org, which has a handy interactive map.
Online LWV ballot measure guides are available for Denver and Colorado measures. If you’d like paper copies, please contact LWVD Office Manager Kayla Berry at info@lwvdenver.org or call 303.321.7571.
For similar information, as well as videos of Denver Public School board candidates, check out the Denver Decides website. The School Board candidates also provided answers to questions developed by LWVD and can be found at Vote411.org. Just input your street address to find information. This is a national website, so you can share with family and friends in other states!
In case you know someone who is not yet registered to vote, please remind them that they can register and vote at the same time at a VSPC up until 7:00 p.m. on election day.
Be There or Be Square – October 27 City Council Meeting
As indicated in a recent Action Alert to LWVD members, the current budget proposal from the mayor’s office includes a significant budget decrease for the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s budget for 2026. City Council will hold a public hearing on the city budget on Monday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m., 1437 Bannock Street, Room 450. LWVD will briefly speak in support of adequate funding for the 2026 primary and general elections. We hope that you can attend and show your support. City council meetings are also available for viewing online.
Voter Registration in Pictures
Our last voter registration event prior to the November 4 election was on October 13 when we visited the Auraria campus. Here are a few pics from recent events!
- Lush Cosmetics – Helen Spiegel and Maddie Gore at the table with a Lush store employee in the middle.
- Denver Indian Center – Youth Council member and circulator Skylar Gold, circulator Eileen Robinson, DIC employees Michelle Perez and Ty TallBull, and circulator Sam Robinson. In addition to doing voter registration, Sam presented a slide deck on voting history and led a mock ballot exercise.
- Montbello Denver Health Clinic – circulators Jim Westcott and Linda Siderius
Lisa Haddox, Voter Service Co-Chair
| Last Minute Voting Information
2025 Ballot Issues - Where the League Stands
The following positions were adopted by consensus by the LWVD Board. For a more in-depth understanding of the Background and Major Provisions of each ballot issue, please refer to the 2025 Denver Ballot Issues: What a Yes or No Vote Means on our website, lwvdenver.org, or in the printed version. Where the League Stands can also be found on our website - please refer your friends to the website.
The LWVD positions on these ballot issues are grounded in well-researched studies and decisions arrived at by consensus at the organization’s national, state and local levels. These positions are noted under Justification for each stand taken below.
Retain Flavored Tobacco Sales Ban
LWVD Position: Take No Position
Justification: There are no relevant local, state or national LWV positions on this issue. Although there was discussion about protecting children’s health, the existing League positions relate to access to healthcare, rather than specific health risks.
Referred Measures 2A – 2E: Vibrant Denver GO Bonds
LWVD Position: Support
Justification: The discussion included concerns about the amount of debt associated with the new bonds, as well as specific projects such as the 8th Avenue Viaduct, which could be financed by the owners of the future stadium. On the other hand, property taxes will not increase. The bond money is separate from the city budget, which is currently being reduced. Capital improvement bonds are frequently used by large cities to address deferred maintenance, and Denver’s current bonds are reaching maturity. There was significant input from citizens in identification of the projects.
“Support of measures which ensure sound planning for Denver and for plans which meet the physical, social, economic, educational, recreational, cultural, governmental and aesthetic needs of Denver’s people, with increased citizen participation in the decision-making process.” (LWVD Position on Government - Planning & Zoning, Community & Urban Renewal, & Citizen Participation)
Referred Measure 2F - Renaming the Department of Excise and Licensing
LWVD Position: Support
Justification: The change is primarily administrative, meant to reflect the actual duties of the department, which provides clarity.
“Support for a governmental system that is open, representative, responsive, accountable, efficient, fair in its treatment of all citizens, and in which responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned.” (LWVD Position on Government)
Referred Measure 2G - Changing the Method of Electing At-Large Denver Councilmembers
LWVD Position: Oppose
Justification: There was concern among board members that this change could lead to excessive politicking, such as increased political maneuvering for one seat versus the other. This could result in elections being less open and fair. Another solution would be to stagger the at-large seats in different election years. If Ranked Choice Voting is ever adopted by the city, this would address concerns of the measure’s proponents by ensuring that candidates receive a higher percentage of the vote.
“Support for a governmental system that is open, representative, responsive, accountable, efficient, fair in its treatment of all citizens, and in which responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned.” (LWVD Position on Government) | 
League of Women Voters of Denver’s
Amaryllis and Paperwhite Bulb Sale 2025
The Bulbs are coming! We plan to be packaging bulb orders the week of October 27.
If you ordered flower bulbs, we’ll call or email you when your order is ready. We expect to have a few extra bulbs to sell – especially paperwhites - contact me if you are interested.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Bulb Sale!
Barb Mattison, Bulb Sale Chair, 303-322-4878
| No Kings on October 18
We are closer to our Unite & Rise Goal of 8.5 million!
What an amazing day! Leaguers united with so many like-minded organizations and people at the No Kings rally at the Capitol. We set-up our tent and talked with people from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. So many asked how they could join us! We had Leaguers from Denver, other counties and states stop by to say hello. We gave away lots of Ballot Issues booklets, provided sign-making supplies (thanks to Beth Hendrix and LWVCO) and gave away tons of buttons. A hopeful and joyful day!
Pearlanne Zelarney, Co-Director of Communications
 
“For as in absolute governments the King is Law, so in free countries the Law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.”
Thomas Paine in Common Sense
| Keep Track of Your Volunteer Hours!
Holley Murphy, LWVD member and LWVUS staff member, created a form that any member can use to record volunteer time. LWVUS needs this information and it is also important for us when applying for grants. Please use the form to enter any hours you spend at any cadence you'd like. Maybe once a month or after every event?
Volunteer Hours Form
| Welcome New and Returning Members
Robin Gregory, 80220, 8purpleplums@q.com
Kathryn James, 80206, kat.james0601@gmail.com
Sabrina Magennis, 80220, sabrinakay@att.net
Joanna Ortiz, 80210, jyortiz@mac.com
Debbie Pyykkonen, 80205, debbpyk@gmail.com
Amanda Skidmore, 80220, amandaskidmore@hotmail.com
Sharon Thomas, 80222, skthomas_10@msn.com | LWV Denver Units
A great place for meaningful conversations
Units are small groups that meet after briefings to discuss the topic further and whatever else is on the minds of the attendees. Joining a Unit is a great way to start getting involved with League!
Cheesman Unit
Will meet on November 25 at 9:30 a.m. at Bobbie Heisterkamp's home
Leader: Bobbie Heisterkamp (303-333-6818)
Cherrington Unit
Meets the third Thursday of the month
Will meet Thursday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m. at the home of Marty Sloven, 2990 E. 17th Avenue, #2307
Leader: Peg Oldham (720-220-3988)
Highland/Woodbury
Meets the third Wednesday of each month
Will meet Wednesday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Sassafras American Eatery, 32nd and Perry
Contact Sally Augden (303-455-5800) or Joan Friend (303-596-1022) for more details
Observatory
The meeting date for November has yet to be decided. Contact Diane Young for more information.
Leader: Diane Young (303-886-3365)
| LWVD Socially Aware Book Club
Wednesday, November 12
6:00 p.m.
Cana Wine Bar
2554 S. Broadway.
Come and discuss this fascinating book on the climate crisis with fellow League members. Guests are of course welcome as well!
Mary A. Jefferson
Membership Chair | VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We traditionally publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday and the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| VOTER |
Article Deadline |
Voter Publication Date |
| December/January |
Friday, December 5 |
Thursday, December 11 |
| February |
Friday, January 16 |
Thursday, January 22 |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member Today
If you received this email VOTER and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, you can do it online through the button below. Members, please consider forwarding this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join!
Join or Renew Here
| Rather Read the VOTER on Paper?
Click this link for a printable pdf version of the newsletter:
Printable LWVD VOTER | | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |