News Release December 2009


ArapaHOPE Community Team Announces their 2010 Kickoff Meeting
 

Centennial, CO (December 21, 2009)
ArapaHOPE Community Team (ACT) announces its first meeting of 2010 on January 9 at the Southglenn Library Meeting Room A at 3:30 PM to kickoff the 2010 Colorado legislature and present some of the many things ACT will be focusing on in the new year.
 
Carol Hedges, a Fiscal Analyst with the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, will discuss Colorado’s future using the lens of our public investments. Carol uses data, fiscal analysis, stories and occasionally even humor, to illuminate the impact of our current choices in order for us to better answer the question, What Kind of Colorado Do We Want. She will discuss the most recent economic trends and state revenue projections and will offer an opportunity for discussion.
 
In addition, we'll hear from ACT community members on the work being done on the issues they are passionate about. It will be an interesting and engaging discussion on the issues important to the ACT community.
 

News Release November 2009
  

ArapaHOPE Community Team Announces their 2010 Planning Meeting
 

Centennial, CO (November 4, 2009)
ArapaHOPE Community Team (ACT) announces its 2010 Planning Meeting on November 14, 2009 at Southglenn Library Meeting rooms A and B at 10:00 AM.
 
Thanks to the tremendous support of the community, ACT, a non-partisan community organization, has made huge strides this year in providing a forum for addressing important issues facing our state and nation, as well as positively impacting state and federal legislation.  To build off this success and plan the direction of its efforts for 2010, ACT is hosting a 2010 Planning Meeting to gather ideas on community initiatives to pursue for 2010.
 
Donna Galassi, from ACT, says, “It’s been amazing being a part of this organization.  People want to be involved in a positive way, and ACT gives the community a way to impact the important issues and actively participate in the legislative process. I’m excited to see where our next year will take us.”
 
For additional information on this event, please visit the ACT website at www.ArapaHOPE.org
 

News Release September 2009

 
ArapaHOPE Community Team is Sponsoring a Forum: Supply & Demand: Strategies for Meeting America’s & Colorado’s Energy Needs for the Next 100 Years
 

Centennial, CO (September 4, 2009)
ArapaHOPE Community Team’s (A.C.T.) Renewable Energy Group is sponsoring a forum entitled “Supply & Demand: Strategies for Meeting America’s & Colorado’s Energy Needs for the Next 100 Years”. The forum will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00pm – 5:30pm at the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce at 6840 S University Blvd in Centennial. 
 
Most energy experts agree that the availability of economically recoverable fossil fuels is diminishing at an increasing rate.  For that reason, developing a strategy to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is crucial and requires involvement from all the stakeholders…Government, Business, and the Community.  By getting ahead of this issue, Colorado stands to gain hundreds of thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sector.  The purpose of this forum is to discuss practical solutions Coloradans can implement to meet these challenges and opportunities.
 
Todd Mata, from ACT, says “We’ve brought together experts from some private, local state and federal organizations to discuss not just our energy problems, but also real solutions.  We’re inviting the community to participate because, as Coloradans, we have an obligation to ensure that we leave future generations with the same opportunities, environment and way of life that generations before left for us.”
 
Please note that space is limited and your RSVP is required. Additional information is available at www.ArapaHOPE.org.
 

News Release April 2009

ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) Announces a “Citizen Lobbying Panel and Workshop”
 
 
Centennial, CO (March 31, 2009)
ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is sponsoring a “Citizen Lobbying Panel and Workshop” on Saturday, April 11, 2009, from 10:00am – 12:30pm.  The meeting will be held in Meeting Room “B” at the Koelbel Public Library, located at the southwest corner of Holly St. and Orchard Rd.  Light refreshments will be served.

The objective of the A.C.T. “Citizen Lobbying Panel and Workshop” is to delve into the topic of citizen lobbying and how to effectively communicate with our legislators on issues we care about. A panel of state and national community advocates will discuss their lobbying experiences and share critical details for successfully interacting with legislators and their staff. A.C.T. Issue Advocacy Groups will also present a short synopsis of issues and legislation they are currently working on. Come see what A.C.T. is all about, and how YOU can make a difference in your community. With a little effort, we CAN bring about change that reflects our community’s values.

Meeting host Todd Mata says, “There are many special interest groups and lobbyists out there that are very well funded. Our mission at A.C.T. is to show that we as citizens are not complacent, that we are organized, unified, and determined to speak up for ourselves and our communities. It is our responsibility to give legislators critical input on what matters to us, and to give balance to the barrage of information they receive from lobbyists. We can and will influence decisions that are made which affect us, our families, and our communities.”

About ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.)
 
ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is an inclusive, progressive community organization.  We welcome all community members, of all political affiliations, who wish to work to positively affect their communities. A.C.T. was formed to offer a non-partisan framework in which to make our voices heard, and to effect positive change in our community.  A.C.T. includes members who identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Independent, and “other”. A.C.T. policy areas of focus include: Environment, Economy, Health Care, Education, and Civil Rights & Liberties.

If you would like more information about this meeting, topics to be covered, or to schedule an interview regarding A.C.T., please contact Laurie Ritchie at 303-596-4243, or via email at laurie.ritchie@arapahope.org

For more information about A.C.T., please visit our website at www.arapahope.org.
 
Media Contact:
Laurie Ritchie
P.O. Box 3211
Littleton, CO 80161
303-596-4243

Event:  ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) Citizen Lobbying Panel & Workshop
When:  Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10:00am – 12:30pm
Where: Koelbel Public Library, Meeting Room “B”
           5955 S. Holly St.
           Centennial, CO  80121
           (southwest corner of Holly & Orchard)

 

News Release March 2009

ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) Announces a “Community Organizing and Issue Advocacy Boot Camp: Part One”.
 
Centennial, CO (March 12, 2009) ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is sponsoring a “Community Organizing and Issue Advocacy Boot Camp: Part One” on Saturday, March 21st, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.  Due to increased group participation, the meeting will be held in combined Meeting Rooms A & B at the Koelbel Public Library, located at the southwest corner of Holly St. and Orchard Rd.  Light refreshments will be served.

The objective of the A.C.T. “Community Organizing and Issue Advocacy Boot Camp: Part One” is to cover the basics of community organizing and issue advocacy at the local, state and federal levels.  Breakout sessions will include Legislative Research, Coalition Building, Legislative Outreach, and Building Community Support.  Part Two will take place at a subsequent meeting.

Meeting host Todd Mata says, “It is critical that we, as citizens of our communities, become engaged in issue advocacy at all levels of government.  By working to understand issues, learning how the legislative process works, communicating with our legislators, and building working coalitions with other organizations, we can affect issues and policy formation at the local, state, and federal levels.  A.C.T. provides the framework in which to do this.”  Mata, a Centennial resident, said he has never been very active in politics before, but has been inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm of members of the Arapahoe County community. 

About ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) 
 
ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is an inclusive, progressive community organization.  We welcome all community members, of all political affiliations, who wish to work to positively affect their communities.  A.C.T. was formed to offer a non-partisan framework in which to make our voices heard, and to effect positive change in our community.  A.C.T. includes members who identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Independent, and “other”.  A.C.T. policy areas of focus include: Environment, Economy, Health Care, Education, and Civil Rights & Liberties.

If you would like more information about this meeting, topics to be covered, or to schedule an interview regarding A.C.T., please contact Laurie Ritchie at 303-596-4243, or via email at laurie.ritchie@arapahope.org.
 
For more information about A.C.T., please visit our website at www.arapahope.org.
 
Media Contact:
Laurie Ritchie
P.O. Box 3211
Littleton, CO 80161
303-596-4243


News Release February 2009

ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) Announces an Issue Advocacy Fair Highlighting Work Being Done by Progressive Citizens in Our Community.

 
Centennial, CO (February 5, 2009) ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is sponsoring an Issue Advocacy Fair event on Saturday, February 21st, from 11:30am-1:30pm.  The meeting will be in Meeting Room B at the Koelbel Public Library, located at the southwest corner of Holly St. and Orchard Rd.  Light refreshments will be served.
 
The objective of the A.C.T. Issue Advocacy Fair is to present and highlight work being done by progressive citizens in our community.  A number of community groups will present information on specific policy areas that impact members of our community.  These policy areas include: Environmental Initiatives, Budget and Economic Recovery, Healthcare, and Education at the state and national levels. We will also discuss how these issues are bound by legislative initiatives currently being considered in the Colorado legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Meeting host Todd Mata says, “Many of us who supported Obama’s campaign wish to continue to support the administration’s policies and goals, as well as to affect issues and policy formation at the local and state levels.  A.C.T. provides the framework in which to do this.”  Mata, a Centennial resident, said he has never been very active in Colorado politics before, but was inspired by the visionary leadership of Obama during the election.

According to the Arapahoe County Clerk website, the voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election was over 93%, and Obama received almost 56% of the County vote. Proving that the voters here are not party first, Republican Mike Coffman won 57% of the votes in the county in his race for CD6, which also includes parts of Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Park Counties.

About ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) 
 
ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) is a multi-partisan, inclusive progressive community organization.  We welcome all community members, of all political affiliations, who wish to continue to work to positively affect their neighborhoods, communities, and state and national initiatives.  A.C.T. was formed by former Arapahoe County Obama campaign leaders to offer a non-partisan framework in which to continue to make our voices heard, and to continue our involvement in effecting positive change.  A.C.T. includes members who identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Independent, and “other”.
 
If you would like more information about this meeting, topics to be covered, or to schedule an interview, please contact Laurie Ritchie at 303-596-4243, or via email at laurie.ritchie@arapahope.org.
 
For more information about A.C.T., please visit our website at www.arapahope.org.
 
Media Contact:
Laurie Ritchie
P.O. Box 3211
Littleton, CO 80161
303-596-4243


Event:    ArapaHOPE Community Team (A.C.T.) Issue Advocacy Fair
When:    Saturday, February 21, 2009, 11:30am-1:30pm
Where:   Koelbel Public Library, Meeting Room “B”
             5955 S. Holly St.
             Centennial, CO  80121
             (southwest corner of Holly & Orchard)

 

News Release January 2009

ArapaHOPE Community Team (ACT) Announces Kick-Off:  A progressive action organization working to effect positive change in our community, state, and nation.
 
 
Centennial, CO (January 5, 2009) ArapaHOPE Community Team (ACT) is sponsoring a kick-off event on Saturday, January 10th, from 3-5pm.  The meeting will be in Meeting Room B at the Koelbel Public Library, located at the southwest corner of Holly St. and Orchard Rd.  Light refreshments will be served.
 
The kick-off meeting objective is to build on the organization and energy of Obama supporters in Arapahoe County, to share ideas, and to discuss policy areas that will impact members of our community.  We will also identify legislative initiatives expected to be proposed in the Colorado legislature and by the Obama Administration that we wish to support and promote. 
 
Meeting host Todd Mata says, “Many of us who supported Obama’s campaign wish to continue to support the administration’s policies and goals, as well as to affect issues and policy formation at the local and state levels.  ACT provides the framework in which to do this.”  Mata, a Centennial resident, said he has never been very active in Colorado politics before, but was inspired by the visionary leadership of Obama during the election.
 
According to the Arapahoe County Clerk website, the voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election was over 93%, and Obama received almost 56% of the County vote. Proving that the voters here are not party first, Republican Mike Coffman won 57% of the votes in the county in his race for CD6, which also includes parts of Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson and Park Counties.
 
About ArapaHOPE Community Team 
 
ArapaHOPE Community Team is a multi-partisan, inclusive progressive community organization.  We welcome all community members, of all political affiliations, who wish to continue to work to positively affect their neighborhoods, communities, and state and national initiatives.  ACT was formed by former Arapahoe County Obama campaign leaders to offer a non-partisan framework in which to continue to make our voices heard, and to continue our involvement in effecting positive change.  ACT includes volunteers who identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Independent, and “other”.
 
If you would like more information about this meeting, topics to be covered, or to schedule an interview, please contact Laurie Ritchie at 303-596-4243, or via email at laurie.ritchie@arapahope.org.
 
For more information about ACT, please visit our website at www.arapahope.org.
 
Media Contacts:
Laurie Ritchie
P.O. Box 3211
Littleton, CO 80161
303-596-4243
 
Event:  ArapaHOPE Community Team (ACT) Kickoff
When:  Saturday, January 10, 2009, 3-5 pm
Where: Koelbel Public Library, Meeting Room “B”
           5955 S. Holly St.
           Centennial, CO  80121
           (southwest corner of Holly & Orchard)