The LWVD Newsletter
April 2026 | 
For several decades LWV's positions have enabled our organization to advocate on behalf of immigrants' rights and fair, just and dignified treatment under the law. We have partnered with organizations to support DACA-eligible individuals' legal pathways to citizenship. Our Voter Service volunteers have celebrated with New Americans at citizenship ceremonies and offered them voter registration opportunities. Today, LWV is being thwarted in these efforts and has joined in lawsuits that challenge the governmental efforts to threaten and attack our immigrant neighbors even if they are American citizens.
One of the most pernicious and damaging trends we are experiencing is that of misinformation, disinformation and even outright lies about our immigrant neighbors.
Beyond the information about how to be allies as our city and state have become targets of ICE intimidation and actions, the LWVD Program/Advocacy Committee would like to provide our members and community with factual information about immigrants to counter the myths that underpin justification for anti-immigrant political rhetoric and actions.
Our briefing on Tuesday, April 21 will offer a panel of speakers who will highlight the contributions of our immigrant neighbors provide which strengthen our communities and institutions. Among other speakers, we will hear from the Colorado Fiscal Institute and the Spring Institute. Please join us for this final briefing of the year and invite friends.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy | It's time to Unite and Rise!
No Kings III
Saturday, March 28, noon to 5:00 p.m.
League of Women Voters of Denver will once again have a tent at the No Kings Event at Veterans Memorial Park (across the street from the state capitol) on March 28. This is a LWVUS sponsored event and a chance to stand with others to speak up to protect democracy. As before, there will be a rally with speakers and a march.
- So come! Attend the event! Hang out at our booth or rally and march!
- Wear something League if you have it: t-shirt, buttons, etc.
- Bring a sign. Keep it nonpartisan. Focus on pro-democracy and pro-voting messages.
- As always when representing the League, we ask that you focus on the actions rather than on the people of this administration.
| Every Voice, Every Vote!
Help Get Out the Vote (GOTV) and Fight Voter Suppression
Colorado has a long-standing reputation for secure, transparent, and professionally administered elections (See the LWVCO whitepaper here). LWVDenver can play a constructive role in reinforcing public understanding of how the system works and where voters can find reliable information.
Voter suppression comes in many forms and Denver voters are understandably worried about whether:
- The SAVE America Act will make it harder to register and vote.
- The elections will be conducted fairly.
- There will be intimidation at polling centers or ballot drop boxes.
- Misinformation and/or timely confusion regarding election procedures will occur.
The Voter Service team would like to combat all of them by building voter confidence, sharing factual information about voter registration and voting, and supporting safe and accessible participation in the 2026 election.
We hope to get our message out through:
- The LWVDenver Speakers Bureau
- Social media, our Every Voice, Every Vote webpage, and print cards
- Personal stories about the importance of voting
The first step is developing the communications plan. The US League has graphics and resources we can use. Want to help with the communications plan for this effort? Have experience with messaging or graphics? Please contact Pearlanne Zelarney at pzelarney@yahoo.com. | Voter Service in Action
No Kings 3
Saturday March 28 from noon to 5:00 p.m.
We’ll be registering voters at Veterans Memorial Park, across from the state capitol. Look for our LWV tent and stop by to say hello!
Out and About - Registering Voters!
In February and March, we registered voters at:
- The bridge at the University of Denver campus
Circulator and Youth Council member Maia Thompson, DU student Maddie Weiser, and Circulator Gwen Murdock
- A fundraiser for the North High School production of the musical Suffs
Pearlanne Zelarney and Wanda Lennox
- In the lobby of the North High School at the March performances of Suffs. The production was fabulous and everyone learned about the suffrage movement. Be sure and check out the coverage of the event that features the League prominently!
Leaguers Eileen Robinson, Sue Stark, and Lisa Haddox
Christine Jensen and Jeanette Scotland registering students
Lisa Haddox and Mariam Bouricius, Voter Service Co-Chairs | League at SUFFS!
| 
Denver Water will be present to answer your questions on what water restrictions to expect during the present drought and other strategies for conserving and managing water. This will include gardening ideas and a look at their Garden in a Box. Denver Water will also discuss the plans for the lead pipe replacement project throughout the city and give tips on how to prepare for when they come to your neighborhood.
Jeanette Scotland and Joan Friend, Membership Committee
| Recap of March Briefing on Domestic Violence
The LWVDenver March Issues and Insights Briefing brought together a panel of three excellent professionals in the field of domestic violence. Natasha Adler is the Program Director at the Rose Andom Center, which provides coordinated services under one roof to the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. David Karnes focuses on training and technical assistance at Violence Free Colorado, the state’s anti-domestic violence coalition. Both he and Natasha have previously been direct service workers with victims of domestic violence. Our third speaker was Dr. Kaitlyn Sims, Associate Professor of Public Policy at University of Denver who, as an applied economist, researches the intersection of public health, the economics of violence and social/environmental health hazards such as housing insecurity, domestic violence and poverty.
Dr. Sims has also looked at how public policy impacts the functioning of domestic violence shelters in the United States. Her research uncovered that only 33 of Colorado’s 64 counties have an emergency shelter program specifically for survivors of domestic violence. This is in a period when our state has seen a 46% increase of domestic violence reports since 2019 and a 24% increase in domestic violence fatalities.
In response, the Colorado legislature introduced a bill sponsored by House Majority Leader Monica Duran and bi-partisan colleagues specifically aimed at increasing the safety of domestic violence victims, HB26-1009: The Colorado Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act. Our speakers brought up the major requirements of this Act:
-
Statewide Colorado peace officers are mandated to administer an evidence-based protocol to assess the risk of serious injury or death in domestic violence situations.
- Based on the assessment, officers must immediately reach out to community-based victim advocates and offer the victim the opportunity to learn about available resources for physical safety and assistance.
- Through the office of the attorney general, in consultation with a coalition of advocates for survivors, a mandatory training for peace officers to learn about administering the protocol and local resources for victims must be offered by July 2027.
 Our speakers listed the eleven-question yes/no assessment tool that has been recommended.
Attendees learned that all domestic violence services are offered free of charge and that domestic violence advocates’ services are protected by 100% confidentiality . They noted the many barriers that might keep a victim from accessing services and removing themselves from the relationship with the perpetrator of violence. We were asked to imagine ourselves not only without the financial income of a violent partner, but without housing security, transportation to get to a job or our children’s schools, without the support of family and friends, without a sense of our own self-worth and ability to make good decisions, among other limitations. In addition to these disincentives to leave, often the shelters and services are not nearby in a small town or rural area.
When asked how Leaguers can be supportive of anti-domestic violence initiatives, the speakers suggested that, if we are able, donate to local service providers, as well as support legislation to reinstate the kinds of safety nets that can help victims to make the difficult choice to leave the abusive situation. They ended by saying one of the most important things you can do is be a safe friend.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy
| Mark Your Calender!
Saturday, May 30
8:30 a.m. - noon
Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
This year we will have many familiar activities and a couple newer ones:
- Speaker - TBA
- League Awards
- Program Planning
- Elections
- Door Prize
Please bring a friend -- or two -- or three.
Jeanette Scotland, Director of Organization
Nominate Worthy Leaguers!
In preparation of our Annual Meeting on May 10, we are excited to open up nominations for awards. We have the Shirley Weaver Suffragist Award to recognize lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the Denver League, the Mother Lode Award for above and beyond efforts put forth the past year, and the JEDI Award for contributions toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage all members to consider a nomination!
Nomination Form
Award nominations are due to the office via email (info@lwvdenver.org) or mail by Friday, May 1, 2026. | Wondering How to be More Involved with League?
We appreciate all members' support through dues, but if you are looking for more, here are some suggestions:
- Read the monthly VOTER newsletter and Weekly Updates from LWVDenver (sent by email through ClubExpress). Previous emails can be found here.
- Attend Briefings (Leaguese for presentations to educate our members and the public with insights on timely issues) - monthly from September through May.
- Join a Unit (Leaguese for small discussion groups that discuss briefings and evaluate League program)
- Respond to Action Alerts sent by LWVD, LWVCO and LWVUS by contacting our elected leaders
- Join a LWVD Committee or join a LWVCO Task Force
| In Honor of Earth Day, April 22
Plastics are everywhere in our lives, from the bottles on supermarket shelves to our clothing and personal care products. With so many shapes, colors, textures and sizes, it can be confusing to understand which plastics can be recycled, and which products are headed straight for the landfill. Here are a couple of tips to help you recycle better!
Learn more about how Denver turns your trash into treasure by visiting Denvergov.org/recycling.
| In Memoriam
After a career in social work, Twyla Boe joined LWVDenver. Twyla was a beloved member of Cherrington unit and a generous League supporter. She passed away February 16, one month short of her 100th birthday. Our sympathies go to all who knew her. | We Need Your Volunteer Hours!
These are important for getting grants at the local and national level. You can use the form to enter any hours you have spent on League activities.
Volunteer Hours Form
| League and Zonta Celebrated
International Women's Day
| Welcome New and Returning Members
Mollie Carter, halecart@aol.com, 80221
Wendy Golden, wgolden13@comcast.net, 80221
Sue Leever, createnow02@gmail.com, 80005
Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, madduxgonzalez@gmail.com, 80212
Janet Paulson, paulsonjanet@hotmail.com, 80224
Thomas Sponsler, tcsponsler@gmail.com, 80238
Nancy Tobin, nancybigney@gmail.com, 80247
Amy Wood, myhwood333@gmail.com, 80206
| 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. This is a great way to be more involved in League and to make lasting relationships. All are welcome!
Cheesman Unit
Meets the fourth Tuesday of the month
Next Meeting: Will meet on Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Bobbie Heisterkamp
Leader: Bobbie Heisterkamp (303-333-6818)
Cherrington Unit
Next Meeting: Will meet Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.at the home of Elsie Haley, 215 Milwaukee Street
Leader: Peg Oldham (720-220-3988)
Highland/Woodbury
Meets the third Wednesday of each month
Next Meeting: Will meet Wednesday, April 22 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
Next Meeting: Will meet on Tuesday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m. Location to be determined - contact Diane for more information.
Leader: Diane Young (303-886-3365)
| 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 |
| May |
Friday, April 17 |
Thursday, April 23 |
| Summer |
TBD |
TBD |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | When You Renew Your Membership
Consider a Donation at the Same Time
If it's time to renew your membership, you can easily do it online here:
Join or Renew Here
Please consider contributing to the Denver League when you renew. The whole process is quite simple.
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 | | | |