Colorado
| Colorado Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2006 | 18 |
17 |
| Today | 20 |
15 |
| House | ||
| 2006 | 35 |
30 |
| Today | 39 |
26 |
According to the Almanac of American Politics, Colorado is "at the front edge of economic, cultural and political change." Unfortunately for progressives, the political change that's occurred since the 1990's has come in the form of right-wing politics — dominated by religious and social conservatives who have, in turn, soured the national political debate.
This is truly a state where we are at a stand off — one side wins and one side loses — and who wins can shape the electoral mood of the country.
That's why Progressive Majority set up shop in Colorado — to bring true progressives into politics and create positive change that would last. We're recruiting progressive leaders to run for office who can also galvanize progressive voters who have been shut down by the loud voices of the ultra-conservative right.
Colorado remains a battleground state despite its vocal right-wing movement. It hasn't been won in the last two presidential elections, but Democrats have fared better at the state level — including winning slim margins in both the House and the Senate in 2004. Now, Progressive Majority is tapping an emerging demographic that leans progressive, recruiting candidates they can connect to, and building a progressive power base that will take control of the state — and keep it.
Lisa Poppaw
Candidate for Fort Collins City Council - District 2 (Open Seat)
Lisa Poppaw is a community leader who started a neighborhood watch organization that reduced break-in and auto theft levels. She is a nonprofit grant writer, member of the Fort Collins Human Rights Commission, a local columnist, and the Parent Teacher Organization President. Lisa won her race for District 2 on the Fort Collins City Council - the most competitive seat of three seats in the April 3, 2007 municipal election. Her victory switched the balance of power on the Fort Collins City Council from conservative to progressive.
Pat Quinn
Candidate for Mayor of Broomfield (Open Seat)
Pat Quinn is the Mayor of Broomfield. Pat is also a small business owner and community leader who has lived in the area for 25 years. Pat resides in House District 33, where we helped elect Democrat Dianne Primavera to the State House in 2006. Pat's 2007 victory brings a progressive mayor to the city of Broomfield.
Jacob Smith
Candidate for Mayor of Golden (Open Seat)
Jacob Smith is the Mayor of Golden, Colorado in Jefferson County. Jacob served on Golden City Council from 2005 until his 2007 election to mayor. Jacob is Progressive Majority's first down-ballot candidate in Colorado or the country who is moving up from city council to Mayor.
Bob Murphy
Candidate for Mayor of Lakewood (Open Seat)
Bob Murphy is Mayor of Lakewood. Before his election to Mayor in 2007, Bob served as the Ward 2 Councilmember and is also the city council president. Bob is the owner of a food brokerage business called Gourmet Marketing and he has long been a leader in the Lakewood community.
Eric Drummond
Candidate for Mayor of Manitou Springs (Challenger)
Eric Drummond was a first time candidate when he was elected Mayor of Manitou Springs in the fall of 2007. Eric is an African American attorney and a former Carpenters Union member. Since moving to Colorado four years ago, Eric has been involved with his community - particularly regarding environmental justice and open space issues. In May of 2007, Eric was appointed to the Manitou Springs City Council to replace outgoing Mark Morland. Our former endorsed candidate Liz Feder, who successfully ran for Manitou Springs city Council in 2005, referred Eric to Progressive Majority
Angelique Espinoza
Candidate for Boulder City Council - At Large (Open Seat)
Angelique Espinoza is a Latina member of Boulder City Council. Angelique is a small business owner, a mother, and Chair of the Boulder County Democrats Affirmative Action committee. Boulder City Council is fairly Democratic, but not always a progressive council, especially towards people from communities of color. Angelique is currently the only Latina councilmember.
Kevin Jacobs
Candidate for Broomfield City Council - Ward 3 (Open Seat)
Kevin Jacobs is a member of the Broomfield City Council from Ward Three. Kevin is a fifth generation Coloradoan, and he serves on the Colorado Common Cause Board of Directors. He works as the Human Resources Director at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and has broad experience managing people and budgets.
Paul Lopez
Candidate for Denver City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)
Paul Lopez is an SEIU organizer who defines the phrase ''community organizer.'' Paul was born and raised in District 3, where he has worked in the community since he was 13 years old (starting out as a dishwasher). He has spent his entire life improving the lives of people who live in West Denver through his work with multiple organizations and initiatives. Paul adds youth, diversity, and passion to the council and will serve the 3rd District well.
Chris Nevitt
Candidate for Denver City Council - District 7 (Open Seat)
Chris Nevitt works tirelessly to promote healthy neighborhoods and responsible re-development. Chris understands and lives the commitment to public service. His parents were in the United States Foreign Service and he grew up understanding that representing America overseas was not just a job, but a way of life. He learned the value of hard work, commitment to ideals, passion to learn, and contribution to community. He is a lifelong, committed progressive who is a strong advocate for labor union issues and brings a progressive voice on the Denver City Council.
David Roy
Candidate for Fort Collins City Council - District 6 (Incumbent)
David Roy is a lifelong retail and office supply manager and an avid environmentalist. He has been involved in numerous campaigns and issues, including the protection of the Poudre River. David's major goals include creating more public transportation, redeveloping the Foothills Mall, and expanding the clean energy cluster to stimulate the local economy. He was appointed to fill this seat in 2002 and won the election in 2003 by a margin of 63%-27%. David's 2007 victory has assured a progressive majority on the Fort Collins City Council.
Russ Arensman
Candidate for Glenwood Springs City Council - District 2 (Open Seat)
Russ Arensman is a member of the Glenwood Springs City Council, from District 2. Russ has lived in Colorado for 35 years, and was a member of the Glenwood Springs planning and zoning commission as well as a member of the city's energy efficiency commission. Russ has also served on the school board's accountability commission and is a senior technical writer for a public relations firm. Glenwood Springs is in Garfield County, a top tier for two County Commissioner races in 2008, where we hope to gain a power shift.
Karen Kellen
Candidate for Lakewood City Council - Ward 1 (Open Seat)
Karen Kellen won her 2007 election to Lakewood City Council, where she narrowly lost in 2005. Karen is a lawyer with the EPA and serves on the Lakewood Diversity Commission as a GLBT community representative. Karen's election places a strong environmental and GLBT advocate on the City Council, and makes Lakewood a progressive controlled city council.
Cindy Baroway
Candidate for Lakewood City Council - Ward 2 (Open Seat)
Cindy Baroway is a member of the Lakewood City Council in Ward 2. Cindy has sold insurance for over 20 years and has been active in the community through Junior Achievement. She is Japanese-American, and will bring much-needed diversity to the Lakewood Council. Because of Karen Kellen and Tom Quinn, two other Progressive Majority-endorsed candidates, Lakewood now has a progressive-controlled Council.
Tom Quinn
Candidate for Lakewood City Council - Ward 5 (Incumbent)
Tom Quinn is a member of the Lakewood City Council in Ward Five. Tom is a college professor and a labor and employment lawyer who has been active in numerous community organizations such as the Lakewood Planning Commission, and the Colorado Irish Festival. Tom is a long-time environmental advocate, and he is a past President of his Colorado Sierra Club chapter. Because of Karen Kellen and Cindy Baroway, two other Progressive Majority-endorsed candidates, Lakewood now has a progressive-controlled Council.
Sean McCoy
Candidate for Longmont City Council - Ward 3 (Open Seat)
Sean McCoy is a member of the Longmont City Council, representing Ward 3. Before his 2007 election victory, Sean was a first time candidate and local teacher and an active member of the Boulder Valley Education Association. His father was on the Longmont City Council for nearly 30 years.
Eva Henry
Candidate for Thornton City Council - Ward 2 (Challenger)
Eva Henry is a member of the Thornton City Council, Ward Two in Adams County. Eva is a long-time community activist, born and raised in the city of Thornton. Eva's victory means a more progressive, Democratic majority on the Thornton City Council.
Faith Winter
Candidate for Westminster City Council - City-wide (Open Seat)
Faith Winter is a member of the Westminster City Council. Faith is also the National Field Director for The White House Project and has been active in promoting women to run for office for three years. Faith will be a powerful progressive voice on the Westminster City Council, especially on Wal-Mart land transaction issues.
Jan Tanner
Candidate for Colorado District 11 School Board (Incumbent)
Jan has been the Executive Officer of the family business in Colorado Springs for 19 years. She served as PTA State Secretary, and she founded the Alliance for Quality Public Schools, a citizen activist organization. In 2005, Progressive Majority partnered with Jared Polis and the Colorado Education Association to create a power shift on a District 11 School Board that had long been dominated by conservatives.
Tom Strand
Candidate for Colorado District 11 School Board (Incumbent)
Tom is a progressive lawyer and retired Colonel in the United States Air Force. In 2005, Progressive Majority partnered with Jared Polis and the Colorado Education Association to create a power shift on a District 11 School Board that had long been dominated by conservatives.
