Celebrating the Treasure of Our Constitution

By Angela Thomas

After Labor Day, there is a second day of national observance in September that deserves our attention. That is Constitution Day, Sept. 17, the day that document was signed in 1787.

The U.S. Constitution stands as the oldest continuously functioning national constitution

in the world and a timeless model for nations seeking democratic reform. Constitution Day

should be celebrated. In a time of partisan divide and cultural rift, the Constitution stands as the singularly most important reason for national cohesion. When you hear folks say, “We are a nation of laws,” take it as a reason for celebration, because it means that we are governed by a documented set of principles that spell out our government’s responsibilities and how it

functions. Furthermore, it defines our rights and protections as citizens.

The United States’ constitutional government was a radical departure from monarchies,

theocracies and military dictatorships typical of the 18 th Century. It set out a form of government ruled by separate branches of power and specified how citizens select their representatives. Perhaps of equal importance, it spelled out how the principles of the document could be amended and legally contested. These provisions provided a dynamism that allows the Constitution to be clarified, expanded, interpreted and applied to new circumstances of our evolving country. There is no better example than the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which became law four years after the Constitution was signed. It defines our rights as citizens.

Yes, Constitution Day should be celebrated. In fact, Congress mandates that on

Constitution Day all publicly funded educational institutions and federal agencies provide

educational programming on the history of the American Constitution. The Colorado Department of Education website confirms that our state take “an active role in complying with this law” and the education of students on the U.S. Constitution.

Because Constitution Day falls on a Sunday this year, government agencies and schools

properly should celebrate it on the following Monday. In fact, the entire week of Sept. 17 – 23 is nationally designated as Constitution Week. But, unless you are a government employee,

educator or student, you are on your own to plan ways to recognize the importance of the

Constitution to our country.

If you are like me, celebration means festivities, people, music, food and drink.

Regrettably, I am unaware of any Constitution Day events scheduled in cities and towns in

Douglas County. However, if you are of festive spirit, you need travel just 130 miles west to the mountain town of Grand Lake. The town bills itself as “Home of the Premier Constitution Week Celebration in America.” This year events are scheduled every day of the week leading up to

Constitution Day, including a variety of speakers, a movie showing, games, activities and a

parade. Check it out at www.grandlakeusconstitutionweek.com or better yet, plan to visit and

learn what might be possible here in Douglas County.

If travel to Grand Lake is not possible, consider a more personal way to recognize

Constitution Day. I invite you to honor the document the binds us all as Americans past, present and future. Learn about the dramatic history that led to its adoption. If you haven’t read the Constitution in a while, set aside some time to do so. Learn about the Amendments to the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions that continue to shape it. Share what you’ve learned with others, especially the young people in your life. An abundance of resources are available on the internet. Most are free.

Every President, U.S. Senator, Representative, military enlistee, federal employee,

naturalized citizen, in fact, every person who holds a public office in our state must make a

pledge that includes these 15 words…

“I will support and defend the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America.”

I believe that there is no better affirmation for us all on Constitution Day.

Colorado Democratic Party Launches the 546 Project

As your Douglas County Democratic Party Chair, I want to share with you the following press release from Karin Asensio, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party, as follows. -Angela Thomas, Chair

The Colorado Democratic Party today (Monday June 5th) launched an unprecedented campaign in Western & Southern Colorado: The 546 Project.

Lauren Boebert has spent more time promoting herself and catering to extremists than she has fighting to address drought, create jobs, and save people money on health care, housing, and energy costs. Winning her race in 2022 by a mere 546 votes shows that rural Coloradans are tired of the nonsense and deserve a Member of Congress focused on getting stuff done, not on becoming famous.

The 546 Project organizes the Democratic Party earlier than ever in CD3 and utilizes nearly 500 neighborhood leaders to reactivate and strengthen our relationship with rural and high-country voters who were regular voters and then sat out the 2022 election. Had these voters turned out as they usually do, Lauren Boebert would be a footnote in Colorado political history. The Colorado Democratic Party is partnering with county parties to engage in direct voter contact across the district starting today and continuing over the next 17 months.

The 546 Project will make hundreds of contacts with voters per week in CD3, reactivating voters who typically vote but sat out 2022. Not only will this project lead our efforts to defeat Lauren Boebert in 2024, but it will allow us to organize around important local races in 2023, and give us a nearly year headstart on winning critical county commissioner, county clerk, sheriff, state house, and state senate seats in 2024. This campaign is structured around four phases of engagement, with the first phase focused on listening, learning, and reengaging with voters. The campaign will continue to organize around issues in local races this fall, and will spend 2024 educating voters about why Lauren Boebert and her allies must be defeated.

“As Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, I made a promise to aggressively fight for Democratic victories in rural Colorado, and this campaign activates 500 neighborhood leaders to engage thousands of voters across CD3, elect community-minded leaders in local races, and defeat Lauren Boebert,” said Shad Murib, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. “We can’t win if we don’t show up, and this campaign sets up permanent infrastructure in Western & Southern Colorado.”

“Lauren Boebert’s attacks on our public schools have to end. Her suggestion of eliminating the Department of Education would decimate Colorado schools that are already strapped for cash and hurt our kids’ ability to get a great education,” said State Representative Barbara McLachlan. “The 546 Project will make sure that every Democrat who might have sat out 2022 is inspired to vote in 2023 and 2024.”

““Every member of Colorado’s Congressional delegation should be focused on advocating for Colorado’s water, in a nonpartisan way. Water is the lifeblood of our rural communities and the crisis on the Colorado River deserves a unified focus on results, not political posturing or useless tweets,” said State Senator, Dylan Roberts. “Communities in my district are tired of political posturing: they’re looking for someone to get things done for Colorado’s water future.”

"From her first day in office, Lauren Boebert has been more concerned with being the star of her own Fox News show, rather than working for our families here in the Home of Heroes," said Bri Buentello, former state representative and chairwoman of the Pueblo Democratic Party. “The 546 Project will organize voters in Pueblo earlier than ever and we’re ready to hit the ground running.”

"I was thrilled to hear about CDP's The 546 Project. Losing to Boebert by 546 votes in 2022, kept many of us up at night, especially when 19,000 Democrats in CD3 didn't even vote. We can't let that happen in 2024” said Kevin Kuns, Chair, Montrose County Dems. “Additionally, The 546 Project has the potential to bring new voters out to win critical municipal elections in November, for Democrats.”

"I love the idea of reaching out to left-leaning folks who don't always vote, and finding out why they don't vote consistently,” said Debbie Bruell, Chair, Garfield County Dems. “There's so much we can learn by listening. If we want to be responsive to our communities, we need to better understand their perspectives."

Mary Dodd, Chair, Montezuma County Dems said “I wholeheartedly support The 546 Project because it unites county party leaders in CD3 around the following common goals: to share expertise and apply lessons learned from the 2022 field game to win CD 3 in 2024; to develop deeper relationships with our base voters thus strengthening our local county parties; and to show rural Coloradans that Dems Deliver for rural Colorado. Achieving these goals will have positive effects far beyond 2024. Additionally, I’m most excited to continue to work with other CD3 leaders, who inspire me every day with the work they do on behalf of our district, state, and nation. “

“We are so close to winning this seat! We can see and feel and almost taste victory and we know we can do it, ” said Anne Markward. Chair, La Plata County Dems. “And we’ll all be better off for that win.”

"I am excited about the Colorado Democratic Party's work in CD3 because I am ready for real leadership in Congress,” said Pam Espinoza, Vice Chair, Colorado Democratic Party Congressional District 3 .”I am tired of "angertainment" and a representative who ignores the people of CD3. Last year proved what is possible when we focus on shared values. Now it's time to finish the work."

To stay up-to-date on what the Colorado Democratic Party is working on, follow us on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here.

Colorado Democratic Party Elect Officers

The Colorado Democratic Party elected its new officers on Saturday, April 1st. A crew of State Central Committee members from all 64 counties in Colorado cast their votes at the gathering held in Downtown Denver.

There were three candidates for Chair of the party to succeed, Morgan Carroll who had been the chair for the past 6 years. Shad Murib, Tim Kubik, and Howard Chou were all very qualified to lead the party. Each candidate brought incredible skill to the table. Ultimately, Shad Murib of Eagle County was elected by 52% of the vote. I am confident that Chair Murib will bring positive impacts to the party. Thank you to TIm Kubik and Howard Chou for their well run campaigns. I hope to see them continue to be involved with the party.

Excerpted from CPR - click the link for the full article.

"A longtime political professional, the 35-year-old is a native of Littleton and a first-generation American of Lebanese descent.

Murib said his job will be to protect and expand the state’s Democratic majorities in the statehouse and Congress, including defeating Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert. But he also promised a focus on rural and local politics, saying the “next frontier” was to win more elections for sheriff and county commissioner offices.

“Sheriffs across the state refuse to enforce our gun safety laws. We have Republican county commissioners who won't build affordable housing. They won't enforce the oil and gas laws meant to keep our neighborhoods and schools safe. And Republican county clerks are straight up inviting corruption into their election offices, right?” he said, an apparent reference to the criminal charges against former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters.

Murib continued: “Republicans have majorities in these seats across the state, and I believe the next frontier of Democratic politics must be local.”

In addition, Douglas County's, Indira Duggirala was elected to the position of 1st Vice Chair. I was pleased to see Indira step up into the state leadership team. She's been a vital member of our Douglas County leadership. Scott Mangino was elected as 2nd Vice Chair. Josh Turpin was reelected as Secretary and Rosanna "Dondi" Reyes was elected to another term as our Treasurer.

The State Central committee added several Vice Chair positions to our leadership team. Those being Vice Chair of Operations, Vice Chair of Geographic and Community Outreach, Vice Chair of Cultural and Demographic Outreach and Vice Chair of Public Relations and Marketing. Those elected to those positions are Jarrod Munger, Amy Paschal, Stephanie Bowman and Sheena Kadi.

I expect we will see many changes occurring over the next few months as this new team gets their feet on the ground. I will keep you all as informed as I can. If you aren't already subscribed, be sure to subscribe to the CDP newsletter.

Angela Thomas

Chair, Douglas County Democratic Party