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This year brought us moments of deep gratitude and appreciation as we honored 25 years of Reproductive Justice work in Colorado. And while this was one of our busiest years to date, there was no stopping us! We turned out Latino voters through three election cycles this year alone and passed the first-in-the-nation law to regulate the deceptive practices of anti-abortion centers (AACs).
1. We celebrated 25 years of Reproductive Justice|April marked a historic milestone for our organization, and we are so grateful that many of you joined us, supported us, and donated to us during this joyous occasion. We had over 225 guests, advocates, and supporters in the room with us to celebrate our reproductive justice work! We shared stories, laughed, danced, and reminisced on what it’s taken us to get to this moment. Our success is not possible without you.
2. We published our third-annual Colorado Latino Policy Agenda (CLPA) | The Colorado Latino Policy Agenda is an annual report that provides insight into the demographic makeup and views of Latinos in Colorado on pressing political, policy, and other issues in the state that matter to them. This report was informed by a statewide poll of 1,600 Latino registered voters, which provides a representative, nonpartisan snapshot of views of the second-largest and second-fastest-growing ethnic voting bloc in the state. Our agenda is intended for use by lawmakers, advocates, and local leaders in the year ahead, and as a baseline for future efforts.
3. Hosted our 17th Annual Latino Advocacy Day (LAD) | LAD is an opportunity for the Latino/a community to come together to lobby their elected officials about issues impacting us. With over 350 Latinos throughout the state in attendance, this event proves how critical it is for our community leaders and advocates to organize and lobby their elected representatives to keep each other safe and our communities healthy.
4. The Safe Access to Protected Health Care package was signed into law | In April, Gov. Polis signed three bills that made Colorado one of the most protected states for reproductive health and gender-affirming care in the country. And, thanks to our bill, SB23-190, Colorado is the first state in the country to prohibit anti-abortion centers (AACs) from administering the so-called “abortion pill reversal,” and the second state to prohibit deceptive advertising from AACs. A core value of reproductive justice is the importance of community voice in everything we do, and your engagement and passion around this historic legislation contributed to our success at the legislature.
5. We turned out to vote in Denver, Aurora, and Pueblo |Throughout the year, we registered Latines to vote and educated our community on the importance of civic engagement. We contacted over 4,000 voters through phone/text and in person, and we hosted 5 in-person and virtual events to encourage people in our communities to vote in every election.
6. LIPS participants visited the White House|The 2023 cohort of Latinas Increasing Political Strength (LIPS) went to D.C. and met with Colorado State Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and staff from Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo’s office, where they shared the power of Latina representation in government. And while in Washington D.C. they got a tour of the White House! This program builds upon many of our young people’s skills, and encourages them to grow into Reproductive Justice leaders!
7. Over 2000 Coloradans signed up for the Reproductive Health Care Program (SB21-009) | Since July 1, 2022, immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, who meet all other Medicaid qualifications can now receive free birth control, contraceptive counseling, STI testing, cancer screenings, and basic fertility services through state Medicaid. COLOR helped provide training for over 700 brokers and assisters around the state to help enroll folks in this program in the coming year!
8. Participated in state and national conversations about the future of Reproductive Justice in Post-Roe America | As we mourn the 50 years of precedent that Roe established across the United States, we know that Roe has never been enough for communities of color. This is why we were part of conversations across the country that responded to local, statewide, and national changes in the fight for justice and access for all people.
9. Hosted 49 Mujeres de COLOR shows | Did you know that COLOR has the country’s only Spanish-language Reproductive Justice radio show? This show has won multiple awards, including Best Public Affairs Program, Best Morning Show, and Best News/Talk Show Host or Team from the Colorado Broadcast Association. What started as a need to have an uncensored space to inform the Spanish-speaking community about Reproductive Justice is an award-winning, signature show for our comunidad!
10. Hosted our first Storytelling Night | In November, we hosted a Storytelling night with our friends at Family Values @ Work to highlight our community members as they shared powerful stories about caretaking, reproductive justice, and self-determination. Stories are central to our movement and can change hearts and minds – they are the essential unit of change.
Thank you for being a part of these milestones with us! 🧡We are grateful for your support through the years, and invite you to continue to join us in 2024. We cannot and should not do this work alone, so thank you for being in solidarity with us.
