The LWVD Newsletter
November 2021 | November Briefing
Census 2020: How a Pandemic, Politics and Population Informed the Process and Outcome for Colorado
With State Demographer Elizabeth Garner
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
5:30-7:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86297150043
Please join us Tuesday, November 16, for a briefing entitled "Census 2020: How a Pandemic, Politics and Population Informed the Process and Outcome for Colorado" with Colorado State Demographer Elizabeth Garner. Ms. Garner will discuss the Census results and will touch on trends identified in the results, understanding the demographics of our state, learning how the results impact federal funding, and how the Census information will inform housing and services.
The State Demography Office is the primary state agency for population and demographic information. Its data are used by state agencies to forecast demand for facilities and services. These data are also used by local governments and non-profit organizations in the state to anticipate growth or decline and to plan and develop programs and community resources. The office’s location in the Department of Local Affairs insures that its data and information are developed in ways that account for local input and needs. The office makes the data publicly available on their website, answers requests for economic and demographic data, and provides training workshops on accessing and using the data.
Ms. Garner has over 25 years of experience analyzing population and economic trends in the state, and her current areas of research include aging in Colorado, characteristics of migration, and poverty. She is an economist and received her B.A. in Business at the University of San Diego, her Masters in Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. She is also a southeast Denver native and one of the 42% of current Coloradoans who can claim native status.
Remember, there is plenty of room on Zoom! Please invite friends, family, colleagues, neighbors to join us.
Kathy Yates, Co-Director of Program
| Returning Home
The major construction at Montview Presbyterian Church is winding down and should be completed by January 2022.
 At that time, our office will be fully accessible, and we are eager to see all the changes that are being made in the building. The few people who have had access to the office will no longer need to have Personal Protective Equipment to enter the building. (See photo to the right of Fran Coleman and Joan Friend in the office.)
The Denver League has rented space at the church for over 30 years. We have been pleased with the staff, the office location, and the amenities included and hope to continue this partnership for many more years.
Additionally, we are looking forward to returning to our in-person meetings as we explore all the updated meeting spaces.
Marge Fisch, Co-Director of Organization | LWVCO Event: New Member Orientation
Thursday, October 4
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Register on-line on the LWVCO website
lwvcolorado.org | Board Member Highlight
Kathy Yates, Co-Director of Program
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles highlighting Board members. We thought you’d like to know a little more about their backgrounds and what League means to them. We’ve also asked them for recommendations on books, movies, or activities.
 I have been a member of the League of Women Voters since 2016. I started out quite slowly, attending a few program meetings, then joining the very welcoming Observatory Unit meetings. In 2019, I volunteered for voter registration; I really enjoyed seeing people’s excitement when they registered to vote. In 2020, I responded to Barbara Allen Ford’s invitation in the Voter to join the Police Study Group. This past spring, Barbara asked me if I would like to co-chair the Program committee with her. I have really enjoyed how this role has provided me the opportunity to get to know more League members. I am so impressed with the wisdom, humor and dedication that is so freely shared.
I came to Denver 20 years ago to visit a friend and hike; I enjoyed it so much that I decided to stay. My husband Scott and I have one son, Quinn, who is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. I grew up in Southern California, and LMU is my alma mater, so it feels like Quinn is at an extension of home. I majored in English at LMU, mostly because I love to read. I have an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont California.
My professional career included organizational roles in training, human resources and operations. Once I moved to Denver, I worked mainly as an independent contractor providing operations consulting and project management services. In 2015, I created my own company, Concurrence Consulting, to work with individuals and teams to improve operational results. I am a certified Gallup Strengths Coach and certified in Lego Serious Play Facilitation Methodology. My specialty is helping organizations navigate change, which is certainly a constant these days.
 I greatly enjoy traveling, hiking, working in my yard, cooking, baking, playing cards, and discussing a wide variety of topics with friends while drinking coffee. I have been an English language tutor for refugees, a homebuilder with Habitat for Humanity, and an adjunct instructor with Regis University.
Book Recommendations: I most recently completed Soles of a Survivor by Nhi Aronhein. Nhi tells her story of leaving Vietnam on her own as a child refugee and creating a new life in the United States. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is a penetrating analysis of the injustices of our prison system. I am also reading The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman that is “a new look at how birds talk, play, parent and think.” Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery is another book that made me think about the wisdom of animals. One of my favorite books is Anam Cara, Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World by John Donohue.
Activity Recommendation: I am in an ongoing group chat with my four siblings and our spouses where we post a photo a day, with no need to explain or comment. We live in three different states, so this has been a fun way to see part of what happens in each person’s day.
| Bulbs are Available
(Except Amaryllis)
 Our bulbs (except for the amaryllis) were delivered to the City Park Greenhouse on Friday, October 22, and on Friday and Monday, our crew of only 16 got everything counted and packaged, and much of it out of the greenhouse and into buyers’ hands very quickly. Thanks to all who helped. If you have not gotten the bulbs you ordered or at least gotten a call about them being ready, please contact me (through Monday at 303-478-2084) or Andrea Mitchell (at 303-601-6858).
We expect the amaryllis bulbs at the end of this week or early next week. We have copies of all amaryllis orders and will either deliver the bulbs to you or let you know they are ready at the greenhouse.
Please check your orders carefully because we are sorry that some customers did not get what they ordered and paid for because we ran out. We think those orders might be out there somewhere, so let us know if you are missing something or have something you didn’t order. Especially check to see that you and your customers received your Free Tulips for $100 plus orders.
If you missed out on buying bulbs this year, we have some tulips, daffodils, and paper whites available for sale. We will also have six amaryllis bulbs for sale once they arrive.
 Always, we thank everyone who bought, sold, donated, or worked on the bulb sale. It is our major fundraiser and crucial to Denver League’s livelihood.
Marty Sloven | Last Minute Voter Guide
The following Denver positions were adopted by consensus at a special LWVDenver Board Meeting on September 20, 2021. For background and major provisions of each proposal, please look at the 2021 Ballot Issue Pro-Con publication. The issues are listed in ballot order.
| Initiated Ordinance 300 - Pandemic Research Fund |
Oppose |
| Initiated Ordinance 301 - Parks and Open Spaces |
Neither support nor oppose |
| Initiated Ordinance 302 - Conservation Easement |
Oppose |
| Initiated Ordinance 303 - Let's Do Better |
Oppose |
| Initiated Ordinance 304 - Enough Taxes Already |
Oppose |
| Referred Measure 2A - Denver Facilities System Bonds |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2B - Denver Housing and Sheltering System Bonds |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2C - Denver Transportation and Mobility System Bonds |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2D - Denver Parks and Recreation System Bonds |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2E - National Western Center Campus Facilities Bonds |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2F - Safe and Sound Denver |
Oppose |
| Referred Measure 2G - Fill Future Vacancies for Independent Monitor |
Support |
| Referred Measure 2H - Election Day Change |
Support |
The 2021 Ballot Issues LWVCO Positions outlines LWVCO positions on the one amendment and two propositions on the November 2021 Colorado ballot. For each, the League considered supporting, opposing or not taking a position based on 2019-2021 LWVCO Positions For Action.
| Amendment 78 – Legislative Authority for Spending State Money |
Oppose |
| Proposition 119 - Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program |
Oppose |
| Proposition 120 - Property Tax Rate Assessment Rate Reduction |
Oppose |
| Welcome New and Renewing Members!
Erica Augden, ericaaugden@gmail.com
Chris Humphries, chrishumphries110@yahoo.com
Lila Laux, lilaflaux@gmail.com
Kathryn Ruud, kathrynruud@yahoo.com
| Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member
If you received this email and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, consider doing it on-line. Follow this link to join or renew at one of our membership levels. Membership dues are tax deductible.
| Regular Individual Membership |
$60 |
| Sustaining membership (includes an additional donation) |
$125 |
Two regular members at the same address
|
$90 |
| Two sustaining members at the same address (includes an additional donation) |
$150 |
Member needing assistance with paying dues
|
$5 |
| Part or full-time student |
$10 |
Members: Forward this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join! | | www.LWVDenver.org
info@LWVDenver.org | | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |