On this International Worker's Day, Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG) leaders, led by members of Centro de los Trabajadores, and labor allies celebrated a major step forward in the protection of immigrant workers. 

At the urging of CCG and labor allies, Denver City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to extend subpoena power to the Denver Auditor in matters of wage investigations. Companies accused of wage theft may no longer simply pay a small fine and move on when accused.  This power means stronger enforcement of Denver's wage protections and more money for the workers who earned it.

This victory was built on hundreds of conversations with immigrant workers who shared painful stories of wage theft and disrespect in the workplace. 

Coloradans for the Common Good, including Jeffco Education Support Professionals Assoc. (JESPA), called on the Jeffco Board of Education to honor their commitments to promote healthy meals and end outsourcing of special ed transportation.

CCG Statement to the Jeffco Board of Education

On July 12th, Coloradans for the Common Good assembled hundreds of institutional leaders to impress upon the newly elected Mayor Mike Johnston and Councilwoman Sarah Parady the importance of issues like wage theft to the organization. The assembly followed a 350+ nonpartisan accountability action with candidates prior to the election.  In response to stories and direct questions, Mayor Johnston recommitted to the agenda saying that CCG priorities were "at the top of my list."

Councilwoman Sarah Parady similarly committed to working with CCG leaders on their agenda, inviting leaders to collaborate with her on city budget proposals that align with CCG priorities.

Mike Johnston Commits to Calling Out Wage Thieves, Other Issues at Community Forum, Westword [pdf]

At an assembly that drawing 350 leaders from 20 institutions of Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG), community leaders secured commitments from Denver Mayoral runoff candidates around eviction, wage theft, mental health, and workers' pensions. 

After CCG leaders shared personal stories, candidates were asked to answer 'yes' or 'no' to ten proposals addressing specific housing, mental health, gun safety, workers' rights, and immigrants' rights issues.

“If the answer is 'Yes,' we’re going to cheer and applaud,” explained CCG leader Joyce Brooks.  “If the answer is 'No,' we’ll just be silent and wait for them to elaborate at the end."  Kelly Brough responded affirmatively to all ten proposals while Mike Johnston answered YES to nine of the ten.

Both candidates committed to extending subpoena power to the City’s Auditor to effectively investigate cases of wage theft.  

Yes or No? Coloradans for the Common Good Holds Reverse Mayoral Forum, Westword [pdf]

Recap of Commitments Made at Mayoral Accountability Assembly, Coloradans for the Common Good

After months of work with leaders in the business, non-profit and education communities, Mountain Voices Project and the Glenwood Community Housing Coalition made a significant step forward in pursuing an investment in local workforce housing.

At the urging of MVP, the Glenwood Springs City Council advanced a ballot proposition for a 2.5% increase in the lodging tax to invest in workforce housing with a 6-1 vote.  15 MVP leaders representing seven member institutions packed the city council chambers during deliberation. 

This follows a civic academy at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where residents and stakeholders learned about the potential impact of this initiative.  If approved by voters, the Lodging Tax will increase from 2.5% to 5%, and generate new revenue dedicated for workforce housing strategies. 

Leaders plan to educate voters about the ballot proposition in advance of the election.

Lodging Tax to Go to Voters in Glenwood Springs This Fall, Post Independent [pdf]

[Excerpts]

Several organizations, including Coloradans for the Common Good, have met with Arvada and Jefferson County leaders for many years to discuss the need to address the affordable housing crisis in the region, they said.

“Our message is that they cannot just rely on the faith communities and nonprofits to solve this problem,” according to a press release from Coloradans for the Common Good. “Government agencies have a role to help ensure that everyone has a safe roof over their heads.”

City of Arvada and Jefferson County leaders recently received more than $120 million in stimulus payments from the federal government, and Coloradans for the Common Good and their allies are asking elected officials to put a substantial sum of the money toward preserving and expanding affordable housing, so that the trend does not continue in the community.

[Photo Credit: Olivia Sun, Colorado Sun]

One Apartment Building Changing Hands Sheds Light on the Dire Shortage of Affordable Housing in Arvada, Colorado Sun [pdf]

[Excerpt]

"I have seen firsthand how this accountability system targets neighborhood schools and our students of color,” said Germaine Padberg-Ludlow, a Denver elementary teacher and member of Coloradans for the Common Good, a coalition of community, union and faith groups supporting the audit.

Padberg-Ludlow previously taught at Denver’s John Amesse Elementary School, which was closed and then reopened with new leadership over the objections of parents and teachers. At the time, Denver Public Schools had its own rating system and a more aggressive school closure process than required by state law. She said the system drives teacher turnover, forcing students to build new relationships and widening achievement gaps.

[Photo credits: Nathan W. Armes, Chalkbeat, left; Coloradans for the Common Good,right]

Colorado School Accountability Audit Moves Forward, Chalkbeat [pdf]

[Excerpts]

Recently, Jeffco’s program has been under fire from leaders in the faith, nonprofit, service and education communities. A virtual forum was held Dec. 9, 2020, hosted by the group, Coloradans for the Common Good (formerly Colorado IAF). Pastor Reagan Humber, House for All Sinners and Saints, led the meeting. Taking the District to task for what he considered inadequate access to the program for families in need, Humber called on Interim Superintendent Kristopher Schuh to meet with representatives from the group to discuss changes. In a separate interview, he said the CCG coalition’s main concern was what they perceived to be deficiencies in Jeffco’s program in comparison to similar programs.

“Denver and Cherry Creek are open every day for kids to be able to get hot lunch,” Humber said.

While he agrees the recent expansion of hours and locations is a step in the right direction, his group is still concerned about distances between pick-up points creating long walks for kids who have no other transportation options to pick up meals.

Regarding the newly launched bus delivery routes, Humber said his group is thrilled the District has begun this pilot program, and delighted to know their efforts in highlighting the issue paid off.

He also sees issues with meals the district provides that require reheating, pointing out the need for ready to eat options for families who are homeless or living in cars.

As for the meeting between Schuh and the CCG folks, Humber said the Interim Superintendent has tentatively agreed, but no date has been set.

[Photo Credit: Glenn Wallace/Golden Transcript]

Expanded Meal Sites

Jeffco Schools Pivot — Expand Grab and Go Food Program, Golden Transcript [pdf]

Jeffco Schools Pivot — Expand Grab and Go Food Program, Arvada Press [pdf]

Additional Background Article

[Excerpts]

Grocery store workers belonging to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 made their case Wednesday for reinstating hazard pay and safety protocols during COVID-19...

Union leadership, Coloradans for the Common Good faith leaders and the family member of a worker killed by COVID-19 [jointly called] a virtual press conference to address the conditions grocery store employees throughout the state are facing.

“Leaders of CCG are here today out of our concern for grocery store workers who are essential workers and have been a particular risk during this pandemic," Marilyn Winokur of CCG said. "We believe we need to do everything in our power to protect them and our communities while they continue to work.”

Winokur noted that CCG wrote letters to both Steve Burnham, president of King Soopers, and Todd Broderick, president of the Denver Division of Albertsons Companies, to ask for a meeting to discuss the concerns surrounding grocery store employees.

Both CCG and UFCW Local 7 noted the two main asks are for stores to reinforce hazard pay and safety measures to keep workers, customers and communities safe.

[Photo Credit: CBSN Denver]

'From Heroes to Zeros': Grocery Store Employees Seek Return of Hazard Pay as COVID-19 Ramps Up, Pueblo Chieftain [pdf]

Colorado Grocery Store Workers Ask for Reinstated Hazard Pay, KOAA News55 [pdf]

Grocery Worker Union Wants Reinstatement of Hazard Pay, CBSN Denver [pdf]

Press Conference Video, [pdf]

[Excerpt]

A family in the San Luis Valley has made an X in masking tape on the kitchen counter. It’s the only place a remote hotspot works so the children can access remote school lessons. A mother who runs a hair salon in Commerce City brings her daughter to work with her. It’s the only place she can access online learning using her mother’s hotspot. But it means the mother has problems running credit cards at the same time. A third of students in the South Routt School district south of Steamboat Springs don’t have internet access. Teachers, parents and school superintendents told these stories during the Internet Access Summit Wednesday calling for affordable and universal internet, faster download and upload speeds and higher data caps, and training to ensure families can access quality connections.

The virtual summit, sponsored by Coloradans for the Common Good, a coalition of education, labor and faith-based groups, included teachers, school officials, elected officials, and representatives of internet service providers Comcast, Verizon and T-Mobile. “It’s frustrating,” said Toby Melster, superintendent of the Centennial School District in San Luis, Colorado. He estimates about 30 percent of his students are falling behind simply because they don’t have a high-quality internet connection. He said companies have donated some hotspots but because there are multiple people in a family who need to go online, “they’ve got to make a decision about who gets access to the hotspot...”

As Colorado Schools Reopen, Thousands of Students Still Don't Have Reliable Internet, Colorado Public Radio [pdf]