Colorado Working Families Party

Denver Sentencing Reform Press Conference Alert Mon., Mar. 9 at 12:30 PM Denver City and County Building 1437 Bannock St

We believe Denver can be a city that supports our neighbors and treats everyone with dignity.

Join us Monday to stand with Denver City Council Members Gonzales-Gutierrez, Lewis, Parady, and community leaders working toward a fairer municipal court system.
RSVP: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

If you have any questions or are unsure of which questionnaire is applicable to your race, please reach out to us at colorado@workingfamilies.org

P.S. Already applied during the early round? No need to resubmit, you’ll be considered during this round.

2. The downloaded copy will be a form-fillable PDF questionnaire for you to fill out and re-upload upon completion.
3. Keep an eye out for an endorsement interview request. Interviews will be conducted in the weeks following the April 8th application deadline

1. Complete the linked form to download our candidate questionnaire. Please be sure to select the appropriate questionnaire for your race: act.workingfamilies.org/forms/apply-...

2026 Endorsement Applications. Applications for COWFP endorsements in the 2026 Primary are due April 8th [Working Families Party logo]

Are you running for office in 2026? Applications for the COWFP endorsement in the 2026 primary are due by 11:59p on April 8th.
Keep reading for how to apply >>

How to caucus for working class values. Progressives guide to caucus: 1. Go to Caucus on March 3 - 7 (depending on county) 2. Ask for straw polls on the races that matter to you to see who else is supporting progressive candidates. 3. Vote for delegates who reflect your progressive values OR run for delegate yourself so you can carry those values on to the county assembly.

Caucuses are THIS week!

Who shows up can decide which candidates make the ballot. So, if you’re a registered Democrat, it’s critically important that you get out and caucus in support of progressive candidates. Find your county's caucus details here: www.coloradodems.org/caucus/sched...

Now it’s our turn to show up for her. Donate today to show your support: secure.actblue.com/donate/2024v...

This is what happens when courageous leaders tell the truth and stand with working families.

Rep. Velasco has been a WFP champion through and through from the very beginning. She has shown up for our communities again and again, not for headlines, not for power, but for dignity and justice.

This week, we learned that senior Garfield County law enforcement officials used degrading language about Rep. Velasco in official government emails, including mocking her for holding a protest sign and belittling community members who were simply seeking accurate info about reported ICE activity.

State Director Wynn Howell, in response to Shannon Bird’s comments about a CD8 forum that she chose not to participate in: “Shannon Bird is running for public office. Part of campaigning is participating in public forums, sharing your vision of leadership, and defending your record. For nearly a year, voters and advocates have asked Shannon Bird why she was the only Democrat in the Colorado legislature to vote no on SB25-276, last session’s landmark immigrant rights bill protecting Coloradans from ICE overreach. Instead of answering, she has skipped forums, dismissed legitimate questions as “mean,” and now claims she would have voted yes, despite voting no in committee. “Shannon Bird casts troubling votes and then dodges accountability when voters ask about them. If she truly believes in her record, she should stop missing opportunities to meet with voters. If she can’t handle straightforward questions about her own votes, it’s fair for voters to ask whether she’s ready for a higher office with even greater scrutiny.”

Yesterday, Working Families Power co-hosted a town hall with candidates for Congressional District 8. Despite choosing not to participate, Shannon Bird sure did have a lot to say.... Here's the WFPower response:

Judge rules CDOC, Gov. Jared Polis violated Colorado Constitution by forcing prisoners to work It's been four years in the making, but a judge has finally ruled in a class action lawsuit against the CDOC and Gov. Polis, finding they violated the state constitution by forcing prisoners to work.

A judge has ruled that Colorado cannot force prisoners to work.

The ruling states that the Colorado Department of Corrections and Governor Jared Polis violated the state's constitution by coercing prisoners to work.

www.denver7.com/news/state-n...

Tech giant Palantir moves headquarters from Denver to Miami after months of protests The company has been instrumental in the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans.

Bye!

denverite.com/2026/02/17/p...

This campaign is powered by working people.

Grateful for the endorsement from the @workingfamiliesco.bsky.social as we continue building a movement to lower costs, challenge corporate power, and protect our freedoms.

Working Families Party Colorado 2026 Primary Early Endorsements Federal Julie Gonzales, U.S. Senate Statewide Amanda Gonzalez, Secretary of State State Board of Education Lisa Escárcega, Congressional District 1 Karla Esser, Congressional District 7 County Offices Emma Pinter, Adams County Commission, District 3 Tyler Quick, Adams County Commission, District 4 Michael Westerberg, Arapahoe County Treasurer Jessica Campbell, Arapahoe County Commission, District 2 Leslie Summey, Arapahoe County Commission, District 4 State Legislature Michael Neil, House District 2 Gena Ozols, House District 3 Justine Sandoval, House District 5 Iris Halpern, House District 6 Monica Van Buskirk, House District 9 Junie Joseph, House District 10 Gabriel Cervantes, House District 31 Chela Garcia Irlando, Senate District 34

Our first 2026 primary endorsements are here.

These early endorsements lift up proven WFP champions and candidates stepping into defining races where the choice is clear: corporate power or working people.

More to come, we're just getting started!

Proud to be endorsed by the @workingfamiliesco.bsky.social in my race for Colorado House District 6. This campaign is about centering people power and not corporate power at the State House. Together we can do this. iris4colorado.org.

At a moment when people are demanding ICE out and accountability for federal violence, Sen. Hickenlooper voted to send *more* money to the agencies terrorizing our communities.

Congress should not give one more dime to ICE or DHS.

Call Sen. Hickenlooper today: 303-244-1628

Screenshot of the Colorado Sun’s Unaffiliated Newsletter from Friday, January 16, 2026 by Reporters Jesse Paul and Taylor Dolven Screenshot: One Main Street Ties to GOP and Oil and Gas Speaking of dark money, recent tax filings shed some light on who funds One Main Street Colorado, a political nonprofit that doesn’t disclose its donors and has spent heavily in Democratic primaries to help more moderate candidates beat their more liberal opponents. One Main Street is also a funder of the Opportunity Caucus. The filings show connections between One Main Street, the oil and gas industry and conservative political groups.

Democrats must act now to clean house, reject this money, and make it unmistakably clear that our elections are not for sale.

Full article here: coloradosun.bluelena.io/index.php?ac...

Colorado Working Families Party Statement on Colorado Sun Exposé that Oil & Gas Provides Major Funding for One Main Street “One Main Street has been exposed for what it really is: a front group for oil and gas interests trying to rig Colorado’s politics and government behind closed doors. Working families are struggling to afford groceries, rent, and healthcare, while fossil fuel corporations rake in record profits. As Colorado becomes a deeper blue state, these toxic corporate interests are pouring their money into covert efforts to infiltrate the Democratic Party, mislead voters, and protect their bottom line. It’s now crystal clear why One Main Street has been hiding their funders: they didn't want to be exposed as a front group for the massive corporations that are polluting our communities. “With the Opportunity Caucus already facing ethics charges over a donation from One Main Street, these disclosures reveal a corporate dark money network working behind the scenes to influence Democratic primaries and public policy while avoiding accountability – serving the same corporate interests, including oil and gas, that have rigged the system against working people and our planet for decades. (1/2)

“It is antithetical to progressive values -- and contrary to the party platform -- for massive oil and gas corporations to be allowed to infiltrate and influence the Democratic Party. So, we are issuing three simple calls to push back on their growing influence in Democratic politics: 1) Any candidate who has taken money connected to One Main Street should return it immediately, now that they are aware where that money has come from; 2) All current and future candidates should publicly pledge to reject funding from oil-and-gas-backed groups, including One Main Street; and 3) the Democratic Party should publicly and unequivocally condemn these corporate polluters that have been spending big to manipulate Democratic primaries and take concrete steps to fight back against such a corruptive influence influencing the party now and in the future.” Wynn Howell, State Director, Colorado Working Families Party (2/2)

We are beyond shocked by today’s reporting that oil and gas corporations are attempting to infiltrate Democratic primaries in Colorado. This is corporate corruption at its most blatant: polluters hiding behind front groups to manipulate our elections after voters repeatedly rejected their agenda.

Colorado Working Families Party Statement on CU Board of Regents Chair Election: “Today, Democrat Callie Rennison - who represents CD2, one of the bluest districts in the state - ensured that she will forever go down in Colorado history as our own version of Kyrsten Sinema. She has betrayed her own party, belied every commitment she made to us when we endorsed her, and disrespected the will of the voters who elected a Democratic majority to lead the CU Board of Regents. Even worse, she did so while the Trump administration is doubling down on vicious and unprecedented attacks on civil rights, civil liberties and academic freedom on campuses across the country. “Rennison has ensured that her legacy will forever be that she is remembered as the Democrat who actively chose to betray immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, workers’ rights, and academic freedom in the CU system. Every MAGA abuse brought to bear on the CU community as a result of handing control of the Board of Regents to a Republican will be enabled by her complicity. The greatest memory of her time as a Regent will be that she was a turncoat who empowered Donald Trump to more deeply abuse the University of Colorado, and any other thing she has done will be lost in the shadow of her great betrayal. (1/2)

“We want to thank At Large Regent Elliott Hood for stepping forward to run as Chair. With a Democratic majority, there is no reason he should not have earned that title. We are also incredibly thankful for WFP champion and CD6 Regent Ilana Spiegel, and progressive CD1 Regent Wanda James, who each continue to demonstrate incredible leadership in this critical moment, and who worked tirelessly to engage both key leaders and everyday Coloradans in this vital discussion about the future of Colorado’s flagship university system. These are the leaders who are truly fighting Donald Trump’s abuses of all of us -- but unfortunately they were betrayed by a Democrat In Name Only who chose to support a Republican power grab. “Coloradans will be watching what this new GOP Chair and his enabler do - and you can be sure that every MAGA attempt to abuse the people of the University of Colorado will be met with the fiercest of resistance. Democrats may no longer control the system’s governing body as a result of Rennison’s betrayal, but we the people are united against Donald Trump’s repellant vision for higher education, and we can and will continue to use every tool at our disposal to resist it.” Wynn Howell, Colorado Working Families Party State Director (2/2)

As a result of Regent Rennison's vote, Democrats may no longer control the CU Board of Regents. But, we the people remain united against MAGA's repellant vision for higher ed, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to resist it.
Here's our full statement on this morning's vote:

Why are Democrats going to hand over the CU board to MAGA? (Opinion) Voters expected Democratic leadership rooted in Colorado values like transparency, inclusion, and accountability. However, CU Regent Callie Rennison chose to undermine that mandate.

Leadership isn't just a title, it’s a responsibility. This is the moment to hold the line, not hand more power to MAGA Republicans.

www.denverpost.com/2026/01/13/c...

Re: CU Regent Leadership Election Why would an elected Democrat hand control to Republicans? **In 2026??** CU Regents vote January 15. Take action today.

Screenshot of an email from Ken Montera and Callie Rennison announcing they are running for board chair and vice chair. Text below the screenshot: “make it make sense…..”

Public opinion could not be more clear: people want Democratic leaders who fight for our communities, not ones who hand more power to Republicans behind closed doors.

Send a letter to the Democratic members of the board to ensure they hold the line on Jan. 15th: actionnetwork.org/letters/cu-r...

Colorado Working Families Party Statement on the Opportunity Caucus response to the Ethics Commission filed yesterday: “If tone deafness was an Olympic sport, the Opportunity Caucus would win a gold medal with this effort. While the vast majority of us are worried about making ends meet and whether the country will go to war, these fools are actually still arguing that it's somehow just fine for a corporate dark money group to spend $25k on an all-expenses paid junket to Vail for select state legislators. The Democrats In Name Only involved in the Opportunity Caucus have every excuse in the world for why it was A-OK that they were wined and dined by private prison and anti-union lobbyists, and once again their excuses are just plain laughable. (1/2)

“What the public really wants from the Opportunity Caucus is accountability. We remain shocked that not a single legislator involved has, as of yet, had the maturity and courage to stand up and say 'this was wrong and I'm sorry'. That's what is needed here, and we will keep pushing for the Opportunity Caucus to take accountability for their obviously bad behavior throughout this corruption scandal.” Wynn Howell, Colorado State Director, 1.9.2026 (2/2)

COWFP State Director, Wynn Howell, in response to the Opportunity Caucus’ filing with the Independent Ethics Commission yesterday (1/8/26):

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED THIS YEAR AND WHAT'S COMING IN 2026 This year, we proved that when working people lead: everything changes

Let's talk.

Justice Department sues Colorado secretary of state to force release of detailed voter information The lawsuit follows months of demands from the Justice Department for voter and election data and other information about Colorado’s and other states’ voting systems.

Standing up to the DOJ to protect voter data? That’s the Colorado way. Thank you, Sec. of State Griswold.

Handing state data to ICE? That’s not. Gov. Polis, do better.

www.denverpost.com/2025/12/11/j...

Graphic with text: “Join the party Build the movement Become a dues-paying member today” and pictures of newly (re-)elected WFP candidates Nicole Speer (Boulder City Council), Xóchitl Gaytán (Denver School Board), Coronda Ziegler (Poudre School Board), Gianina Horton (Aurora City Council), Tommy Farrell (Pueblo D60 School Board), and Emily Francis (Fort Collins Mayor)

We don’t run on corporate money, we run on people.

From Fort Collins to Pueblo, our members make this movement possible.
Consider becoming a dues-paying member today to power our work in 2026!
secure.actblue.com/donate/wfppa...

Longmont Residents Win Fight Against AI Surveillance Longmont activists secured a major win as the city council voted to halt expansion of Flock’s AI surveillance system.

This is what people-powered leadership looks like. Newly elected Longmont councilmembers listened to the community and took action to stop Flock data sharing.

Mayor Johnston in Denver should be taking note….
yellowscene.com/2025/12/10/l...

Mass Call. What just happened? And what's next? Join us to break down 2025 and prepare for a pivotal 2026. Hear from Working Families Party-endorsed 2026 congressional candidates Thursday, December 11 8pm Eastern, 7pm central / 5pm Pacific

THIS WEEK: join our last mass call of 2025. We'll be talking wins and plans for next year — a hugely consequential year for rebalancing power towards working people.

We will hear from WFP-endorsed congressional candidates which is fun and cool

Sign up: wfpus.org/WFPmasscall

Note: If you apply in Round 1, your application may still be considered during the larger Round 2 endorsement process. (We’ll share the Round 2 timeline soon, stay tuned!)

HOW TO APPLY:
Fill out the form linked below and we’ll email you the questionnaire for the office you’re seeking. Interviews will take place in the weeks following the Round 1 deadline. act.workingfamilies.org/forms/apply-...

We’ll be making endorsements in two rounds. In Round 1, priority will go to candidates who (a) were previously endorsed by WFP and/or (b) are running in races where the field is already well-defined. To be considered in this early round, please submit your questionnaire by January 25 at 11:59pm