SB14-175 boost for grassroots.

The rally at the Capitol yesterday against SB14-175 has already gotten more people involved in the Colorado political process.

If it passes, expect more recalls in Colorado, as voters whose representatives ignored the flood of phone calls and emails are targeted and those most vulnerable immediately see petitions being circulated to bring them home and replaced with representatives who truely represent the district.

This is more emotional than gun control.

Healing of our state.

Photo: Denver Post

Big turn out at the Capitol this afternoon, Archbishop Aquila's presence this afternoon at the Colorado Capitol sent a loud, clear signal to Catholic legislators who are now serving, and more importantly to those who will be inspired to serve in the future.

Here's a slanted story from main street media, but gives you an idea of what happened this afternoon, which may be too little too late for SB175 (click here.)

But I thanked Archbishop for making the effort, it was the right thing to do. In my opinion a primary task of every Catholic Church should be to teach how to take Christ’s love into the existing political system. Catholics need to be the leaven in both major political parties, and they should be better represented at all levels of government.

Neighborhood self-directed learning groups could be a powerful way to bring this about; groups formed to inform not reform on any particular issue.

Colorado has a wonderful political institution, the Colorado Caucus. Every two years we have the opportunity for a state-wide civics lesson. But new comers to Colorado and those just new to Colorado politics need to be better educated about how to participate. It's been said only 5% of Colorado residents even know the system exists.

Both major political parties need new blood in every neighborhood, and they need more every two years for our system to work well.

I'm thinking about forming Catholic Neighborhood Clubs across the state. With the Internet, leaders could be quickly identified. Then fill Mile High Stadium each fall in a civic education MOOC (Massive, Open, Online Class) lead by perhaps Archbishop Aquila and Gov Hickenlooper this fall, and Pope Francis and Pres. Obama the following year or in 2016 just before the elections.

If you'd like to help in your neighborhood, or if you'd like to help recruit and train neighborhood leaders, please give me a call. (303)861-1447. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Please do NOT email me until we've had a chance to talk on the phone. Thanks!

Colorado Archbishop Aquila West Stepping against SB14-175

After Pope Francis has urged Catholics to extend the loving hand of forgiveness, and to not judge others for their sins, his new Archbishop in Denver takes to the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol this afternoon (Tue, April 15) to lobby, no, to West Step his opposition to pending legislation.

This should be an interesting afternoon. It's hard to believe that Archbishop would be acting without some official encouragement from the Church hierarchy.

It could be Pope Francis sees the danger of appearing to take the position of just rolling over in legislation that undermines freedom of religion.

No confirmation anywhere with local Denver media that Archbishop is still on. It would be great to see Archbishop go into the Capitol and buttonhole Catholic legislators. He certainly has a right to do so in our free (at least for now) society.

For more see: http://denvercatholicregister.org/today-join-archbishop-pray-capitol-sb175/#.U02OivldWSp

Also, http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/reproductive-health-bill-sb175-faces-scrutiny-after-denvers-archbishop-asks-colorado-to-oppose-it04142014?autoplay=true

SmallBizChamber.org Start, grow, flourish!: Join us this Friday?

SmallBizChamber.org Start, grow, flourish!: Join us this Friday?: Post by John S Wren .

How to become well known in your neighborhood.

We are doing a special edition of the Denver IDEA Cafe Startup Workshop next Friday, March 21 at Panera Bread, 13th & Grant just a block from the Capitol.

For 25 years our speaker has been helping businesses from real estate agents to plumbers do just that, she has some powerful ideas that will also work if you're working to get your cause or candidate well known in a particular neighborhood.

We start at 3:45 p.m. sharp, please be on time, we'll end at 5:15 p.m. After our speaker shares we break out into small work groups.

Whether you are in pursuit of a better social life in your own neighborhood, finding neighbors you can help, votes, or all three, join us! You'll be glad you did.

For more info and to RSVP to this and our other meetings in metro-Denver and online go to http://Meetup.com/Small-Biz-Chamber or call (303)861-1447

Small Business Chamber of Commerce, Inc

Z-NOS Peer Advisory Groups * IDEA Cafe Startup Workshops

+ Start + Grow + Flourish + AMDG

www.SmallBizChamber.org +  Facebook.com/Small.Business.Chamber 

 Question? Leave a confidential message anytime 24/7 call (303)861-1447

In emergency call 911 1st. A volunteer will return your call ASAP.

What's Your (Colorado Caucus) Story?

Post your experience from a few days ago, and what it's been like for you from the first time you attended until then. Positive stories will possibly be include in new e-book about our wonderful Colorado Caucus that will be published by the new Colorado hyper-local education and communication company COCAUCUS, Inc and if your story is included you'll be given a free copy.

Colorado media monitored, Conference on Colorado Caucus in the works.

Colorado media continue to be monitored on Colorado Caucus News. If you see a story that's been missed please post a link as a comment here and it will be added. For what's up so far see http://Facebook.com/ColoradoCaucusNews

Save the Caucus held a conference at the Colorado Capitol as a follow up to the defeat of Amendment 29 in 2002. It's been suggested that another be held now, as soon as possible while memories of last Tuesday are fresh.

Here's the release that was just made:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2014

 

Contact:  John Wren  cell (720)495-4949

 

2nd COLORADO CAUCUS CONFERENCE AT THE CAPITOL BEING PLANNED.

Gov. Hickenlooper and Secretary of State Gessler expected to make a joint statement announcing the date.

 

Denver-- John Wren announced today that a conference is being planned to allow those who participated in the Colorado Caucus to make a statement about Tuesday's gatherings and to make suggestions for improving the process. A similar meeting was held as a follow-up to the defeat of Amendment 29 in 2002 which would have ended Colorado's caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot.

 

Making the announcement Wren said, "Last Tuesday some 6,000 meetings were held across the state, since voters approved the system in 1912 it has served us well. But as times and technology change, so must the way we select our elected representatives.

 

"For that reason we will ask that those with an interest in our Colorado Caucus be invited to gather at the Capitol once again, and that additional information, opinion gathering, and analysis be applied to this time-honored Colorado institution, now rather than later while it is fresh on our minds.

 

"Governor Hickenlooper and Secretary of State Gessler have been invited to make the announcement of the meeting once a date has been set. The Small Business Chamber of Commerce, I'm CEO, will be surveying local chambers through our membership in the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, across the state as we set a date and finalize the methodology for data gathering prior to the conference, and the hope is that CACI may decide to become a sponsor.

 

"We are actively looking for sponsors and volunteers. For more information call me at (303)861-1447," said Wren, "but do it now, this is on a short fuse."  

 

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John Wren (303)861-1447, 960 Grant St. #727, Denver, CO is a long-time community activist who was one of the founders of Save the Caucus which defeated Amendment 29 in 2002 which would have brought an end to the Colorado system of nominating to the primary ballot both by petition and through a caucus-assembly process. Save the Caucus held a Caucus Conference at the Capitol in 2003 and produced a PSA with then Mayor Hickenlooper and Gov Owens urging Colorado voters to attend their 2004 neighborhood caucus. They also oversaw the distribution and posting of 5,000 yard signs promoting the 2004 Colorado Caucus, the signs were paid for by Rutt Bridges who had initiated Amendment 29. Wren has been personally managing an education website COCaucus.org