Xcel Energy is up to no good once again. They’re* attempting to place a ballot measure on the Boulder ballot that would effectively kill the city’s ability to make an informed decision about creating a greener, more affordable electric utility. This confusing and misleading ballot measure is a textbook example of how corporations attempt to influence and undermine our democracy.

They’re showing our community that they’ll stop at nothing and spend whatever it takes to protect their profits.

Tell Xcel to stop undermining our local process that voters already approved. It’s time for an energy future that’s based on innovation, not corporate control.

Petitioners will be collecting signatures throughout our community to place their initiative on the ballot—they’ll most likely be willing to say anything in order to meet their quotas and get paid.

Take the pledge: decline to sign Xcel’s misleading petition.

Let’s send a message loud and clear: Xcel, get your hands off our democracy!

*At least 3 of the 5 “concerned citizens” filing the petition were lobbyists, one of which is the former director of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association—the industry’s main lobbying entity. Another is a lobbyist who has represented the insurance, gas, and car industry. According to the Daily Camera, the leader of the citizen’s group just move to and registered to vote in Boulder 2 days before filing the ballot measure paperwork with the city!

New Era Colorado Foundation is looking for a new employee to lead our efforts in a coalition project, the mission of which is to promote civic engagement in the African American community. We are seeking a versatile and enthusiastic Outreach Organizer who will be responsible for implementing volunteer recruitment and management, leadership development, voter registration, voter education, and voter mobilization in the African American community, primarily targeting young people between the ages of 16-34. The African American Outreach Organizer will work closely with the Denver Organizing Director and the Program Director and will work within a coalition structure.

The individual must be a dynamic, strong leader, who has either some community organizing or grassroots field experience or is interesting in pursuing a career in grassroots organizing.

Job Activities
Civic Engagement

• Register African American youth to vote by targeting community events, campuses, high schools, and other youth-dense areas
• Run a voter education and turnout program with the goal of increasing the vote share of young African American voters
• Continually engage the African American community on an ongoing basis on issues and relevant legislation, policy, etc
• Run civic engagement presentations in some high schools in the Denver Metro area

Leadership Development

• Lead a structured volunteer recruitment, management, and leadership development program targeting African American youth in the Denver Metro area
• Develop and execute an intern leadership development program which pertains to the local African American community

Coalition Work

• Work as a member of a coalition of organizations that incorporate African American organizing as part of their mission
• Assist with creating coalition plans and collaborative projects in the African American community
• Develop, maintain, and coordinate effective relationships between and among relevant statewide African American organizations

Qualifications

• Proven experience in community organizing (voter registration, canvassing, volunteer management) and/or similar program management preferred
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management preferred
• Experience working effectively in the African American community
• Event coordination & planning experience preferred
• Proven and highly effective organizational and written/oral communication skills
• Strong track record of setting and meeting goals
• A high energy and contagiously fun(ny) personality
• A self-starter who can show strong initiative
• Commitment to the organizational mission in order to effectively promote and advance the goals of New Era Colorado Foundation
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.

To Apply Please submit a resume, cover letter, one to two paragraph responses to the below questions, and at least 2 references to the attention of Stephen Fenberg to AAOrganizer@neweracolorado.org. New Era Colorado Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Please describe any relevant past experience working on campaigns, voter registration drives, or with civic engagement organizations. Please be specific about what your responsibilities were. If you do not have previous relevant experience, please describe why you are interested in being a community organizer.

What do you think are some of the most effective ways to recruit volunteers and engage young African Americans in the political process?

What do you think would be some of your greatest weaknesses (specific to this job) coming into this position?

After 120 days of getting sh*t done, our legislative session ended last week. What our legislators just accomplished is huge, and that’s an understatement.

Colorado’s moving forward in a big way and has A LOT to be proud of. Below are our favorite things from the session–we had our hand in more than a few of ‘em, and New Era interns and volunteers testified in favor of most:

Democracy wins: Colorado just got itself a 21st century, inclusive elections system that will give all Colorado voters a ballot & a choice of how to turn it in. And, now we can register to vote through Election Day. Huzzah!

Even more voter access: 16- & 17-year-olds can preregister to vote starting this fall (sweet 16, indeed), and universities will start linking to online voter registration from online course registration. Young voters for the win.

One signature away from more renewables: The House & Senate passed a renewable energy standard increase for rural Colorado–and now it’s up to our Governor to seal the deal. Click here to tell Governor Hickenlooper to sign the darn thing.

Civil unions = law of the land: As of midnight on May 1st, thousands of committed Colorado couples can now access some of the legal protections afforded to the state’s married couples. It’s well overdue, and about damn time for more equality!

Tuition equity after 10 years: After a decade of hard work, Colorado’s undocumented students will now qualify for in-state tuition! More equitable access to higher education in Colorado makes the whole state stronger–everybody wins.

Oh, and legislators also passed the country’s first regulatory framework for legalized marijuana and proposed an overhaul of our K-12 school finance system (more about that this summer!).

Colorado’s emerging from this session as a more equitable state, a stronger democracy, and an all-around more badass place to live. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it happen–and especially to the legislators who worked tirelessly for this.

On Friday, Governor John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1135, “Voter Preregistration at Age 16,” into law! Sweet 16, indeed.

Listen up all you 16- & 17-year-olds: this means that later this year, you can preregister to vote online or using a paper form! You could also register at the DMV. Even if you fail your driver’s test…our democracy will still have you.

Thanks to Representative Singer and Senator Kerr for sponsoring this legislation! And to all of the volunteers and interns who lobbied and testified in support of this bill.

Check us out at the bill signing:

Governor John Hickenlooper signing our preregistration bill into law. Awwww, yeah

Think you have what it takes to lead the charge on our events and fundraising? Always wanted to join the dream team at New Era? Check out the job posting below to be part of the New Era family in 2013 and beyond…

Development Director/Associate Job Description

Position start date: as soon as possible

Summary
New Era Colorado Foundation seeks a Development Director or Development Associate to work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors on all fundraising and event efforts. New Era’s fund development relies on a combination of grant-writing and foundation support, major gifts of $1,000 and up, a robust monthly membership program, numerous events throughout the year, corporate sponsorship cultivation, and an end of the year fundraising campaign.

The ideal candidate will have fundraising and event experience, but also able to contribute to the dynamic work environment at New Era. Strong candidates without development experience will still be considered for the position.

The Development Director or Associate will work closely with and report directly to the Executive Director. The position will be based out of New Era’s Denver Office but will also include travel to New Era’s Boulder office. Title and salary are contingent upon experience.

Job Activities
Planning & Management
-Work closely with the Executive Director to strategically develop, manage, and implement an annual fundraising plan and organizational budget
-Manage fundraising and event efforts of the New Era Board of Directors
-Support the Executive Director and Board on fundraising needs and special projects

Major Gifts
-Track and maintain detailed records of all former, current, and prospective major donors
-Meet with current and prospective donors to cultivate major gifts

Foundations & Grants
-Assist in all grant-writing efforts, including the development of grants, materials, and reports
-Maintain relationships with current foundation grantors while cultivating relationships with prospective foundations and program directors

Monthly Memberships
-Direct all aspects of a robust monthly member program, including maintenance and communication with current members and the accrual of new members
-Manage staff and board work plans for monthly membership goals

Events
-Plan and manage New Era events, including but not limited to an annual fundraising event, major donor house parties, legislative and holiday happy hours, and corporate events
-Manage staff in the development and execution of New Era events

Other
-Provide annual fundraising training to 75 interns and fellows
-Assist with fundraising for 501(c)4 efforts (in which case, staff time will be shared/paid by New Era’s 501(c)4 organization)
-Establish solid relationships on behalf of New Era with community leaders, elected officials, and various other stakeholders
-Assist with development of the annual report and other program materials
-Plan and execute an end of year fundraising campaign
-Assist and support New Era’s general programs at times, including communications, voter engagement, and policy work

Knowledge/Skills
-Experience in non-profit fundraising and/or campaign finance preferred
-Event coordination & planning experience preferred
-Strong affinity for networking and building strategic relationships
-A high energy and contagiously fun(ny) personality
-A self-starter that shows strong initiative
-Strong track record of setting and meeting goals
-Committed to the organizational mission in order to effectively promote and advance the goals of New Era Colorado Foundation
-Familiarity with nonprofit legal structures of 501(c)3s and 501(c)4s

About New Era Colorado
New Era Colorado Foundation is a multi-issue organization committed to engaging, educating, and training a new generation of active citizens and young leaders in Colorado. NECF is a full-spectrum civic engagement organization; we provide the resources and tools for young people to gain collective power in all levels of the democratic process, including issue organizing, electoral mobilization, and the legislative process.

To Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to the attention of Steve Fenberg to Jobs@NewEraColorado.org. New Era Colorado Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Sweet 16 just did, in fact, get sweeter.

As of yesterday, our bill to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register to vote is on its way to the Governor’s desk!

Allowing young people to preregister to vote means more of ‘em will vote. This bill will allow 16 & 17-year-olds to start preparing early for their civic duty. They’ll be able to register at the DMV, when they’re already there failing their driver’s test. Just another sign that increased participation amongst young voters is here to stay. Awwwww, yeah.

So much love to those who helped make it happen – the volunteers who testified, the interns who lobbied, and the bill sponsors – Representative Singer and Senator Kerr.

New Era interns & volunteers testifying in front of the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee in February

This Monday, a House committee will vote on a bill that would bring Colorado’s election process into the 21st Century.

This bill is huge: It’d modernize voter registration and give eligible voters more options on how and where to vote. It could give Colorado the most convenient, accessible voting system in the whole damn country.

This is Colorado’s shot to build a more inclusive democracy, ensuring that every eligible voter is able to register and cast a ballot. Can you speak up to make sure this bill passes?

Make it happen: tell the committee to pass the Colorado Voter Access & Modernized Elections Act.

It’s simple: This bill gives every active registered voter a ballot, and it’s their choice how they cast their vote–whether it’s by mail, during early vote, or on Election Day. It’ll also bring our elections into the 21st century by using modern systems to allow voters’ registration to follow them when they move within a county.

Ask for a vote in support of a more inclusive democracy–email the committee today.

The Voter Access bill would give Colorado voters all options–while being budget-friendly to our counties. It’s win-win, which is our favorite kind of winning.

Here’s to a stronger democracy!

Next week, our legislators will vote on a bill to make oil and gas industry regulators more accountable to the people of Colorado.

The bill, House Bill 1269, would ensure that regulators are unbiased, and that they work first and foremost to protect public health and the environment.

It’d clarify that the oil and gas commission’s first priority is to protect public health and the environment (instead of weighing the protection of public and industry health), and ensure that commissioners aren’t employed by the very industry they’re regulating.

To move the bill forward, we’ve got to be louder than industry lobbyists–so: really, really loud. Can you help out?

Stand up for our air and water: ask your Representative to vote yes on House Bill 1269. 

The commission’s dual-mission under current law deems industry profits as important as our health and welfare. That prevents it from adopting the best possible regulations to protect our air and water.

And that, my friend, is why we need this bill! Encourage your Representative to vote yes so that Colorado can make it happen. 

Get your tickets and sponsorships now for New Era’s 5th Annual Spring Dinner & Happy Hour!

Duo Restaurant

2413 West 32nd Avenue | Denver, CO 80211

Happy Hour @ 5pm | Open Bar & Appetizers | $40
Dinner @ 7pm | 3 Courses & Drinks | $150

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Campaign Manager | $5,000
Field Director | $2,500
Organizer | $1,000
Canvasser | $500

*Canvasser sponsorship level includes 2 tickets for Happy Hour & Dinner, all other sponsorship levels include 4 tickets for Happy Hour & Dinner

PURCHASE SPONSORSHIPS & HAPPY HOUR TICKETS HERE

American badasses. Students. Heroes. Electeds. Celebs. Romantics. Parents. Pioneers. Pundits.

What do these folks have in common? They’re all Players.

Players = monthly members. They make New Era a sustainable organization by giving a little somethin’ each month–from $5 to $50.

And because we love Players soooo much, we’ve decided to have a cutthroat friendly little staff competition to see who can sign up the most players. 

The workplace is divided. Prepare yourself for the 30-Day Player Showdown…

Players allow us to work year-round, training young people to lead in their communities, advocating for policies that strengthen our democracy, and ensuring that young people are visible and vocal in our state Capitol.

Players give because they get it: They know that engaging the most diverse, progressive generation in history is our best hope for moving Colorado forward.

Be our favorite person- become a Player today!

But choose your team wisely…

To support TEAM VICTORY click here…

To support TEAM GLORY FOREVER click here…

Can’t choose a favorite??? No sweat. Sign up to be a Player or increase your current player-ship without picking faves at www.neweracolorado.org/players

And remember, all contributions to New Era Colorado Foundation are tax deductible!