The Bell Policy Center

Nerd alert! Join the Bell Policy Center Oct. 10 for a fun and informative review of the 14 statewide questions on the ballot. We'll have snacks, games, and of course, a lot of talk about ballot questions. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4e1Gk8z

Saved by the Bell Social - Ballot Guide Review

Come one, come all! The The Bell Policy Center is partnering with some great organizations and has invited candidates for to appear at virtual forums focusing on issues especially important to older Coloradans. Sign up below for the geographic area that best works for you to join the conversation. See you there!

9/25 11 a.m. Western Colorado https://bit.ly/4dWBf1l
9/25 4:30 p.m. Denver East https://bit.ly/3ZeUheT
9/26 12:30 p.m. South Colorado https://bit.ly/4e86JSc
10/1 11 a.m. North Colorado https://bit.ly/3XAqZ9g
10/8 11 a.m. Denver West https://bit.ly/3MEbrep

The is in good hands! Congrats to both Dana Coffield and Larry Ryckman! https://bit.ly/3TgMp8Q

If you help a loved one with activities so they can stay in their home, we'd love to hear from you! The link below is to a caregiver survey. The information collected will be used to better support the mental health of caregivers. All information will be kept anonymous. https://bit.ly/47esSMi

Private equity moves into child care. Well done story by Boulder Weekly, which cites Bell Policy Center research in explaining the critical shortage of care. The Bell graphic below compares licensed capacity in Colorado to the number of children under 6 who have all parents in the workforce. https://bit.ly/4dRS915

Bell President & CEO Chris Degruy Kennedy is on PBS12's Colorado Inside Out tonight for a special episode on the future of Social Security. Also on the panel are Alton Dillard, Erin Maruzzella, Paul Teske, and Melanie Kesner. The capable Kyle Dyer hosts.

Got a great idea for economic mobility research? We’d love to hear it. The Bell Policy Center has just opened applications for its 2024-25 Bell Economic Mobility Fellowship https://bellpolicy.org/fellowships/

There's a fairer way to cut property taxes. The "deal" cuts prop taxes by $271M in 2026 with the biggest tax cuts going to those who own the biggest homes. Here's how we can deliver the same total tax cut in a way that does more for median homeowners in virtually every Colorado county. https://bit.ly/4cKXTIN

Amazing piece by the very talented Jenny Deam about a Motel 6 owner who is having to fight Greenwood Village over people who are disabled and homeless staying in her hotel temporarily.

Affluent Denver suburb accused of bullying disabled homeless guests at Motel 6 A lawsuit has been filed against Greenwood Village, a wealthy suburb in Denver, for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by targeting homeless guests with mental health and addiction

That's our board chair! Colorado College did a lovely piece on alum Angela Cobián, and the work she has done on social justice issues. Center benefits from her leadership and passion every day. https://bit.ly/4fTSTo5

The end of ARPA funding has hit Colorado kids and families hard. Good story by CPR News, reporting off Colorado Children's Campaign's annual report, 2024 Kids Count Colorado! https://bit.ly/3Mepjf8

Higher costs of living have negative impact on children in Colorado, annual report finds The newly released 2024 Kids Count in Colorado! report found the expiration of pandemic programs has increased costs for health care, housing, child care and many other needs.

Property taxes are best handled at the local level. In this op-ed in the The Colorado Sun, Bell Policy Center President & CEO Chris Degruy Kennedy sets the stage for the upcoming special session, & says the state must stop meddling in property taxes. https://coloradosun.com/2024/08/20/opinion-colorado-special-session-property-tax-local-control/

Opinion: After Colorado legislature’s latest special session is finished, we must restore local control over property taxes State-driven tax cuts have wildly different impacts on Colorado communities, so let’s leave it to local governments to make adjustments

Here at The Bell Policy Center, we're busy analyzing statewide ballot questions and putting together our ballot guide. We're also getting ready for one of our favorite events - our ballot guide review! Hope you can join us Oct. 10 for a fun and informative get together! https://bit.ly/4e1Gk8z

No backroom deals on property taxes. House Speaker Representative Julie McCluskie gets it right. If there is a compromise to discuss, it needs to be done in the light of day. Thanks, CPR News for the thorough story. https://bit.ly/3A9Q2H1

Could there be a worse time to cut fire fighting budgets? Chiefs Don Lombardi of West Metro Fire Rescue and Kristy Olme of North-West Fire explain why Initiatives 50 & 108 would devastate the resources they need to keep you safe. Bravo, chiefs! https://bit.ly/3WF06zy

Opinion: Initiatives 50 and 108 are “reckless” efforts to control property taxes Two reckless initiatives headed for the November ballot, 50 and 108, would gut the resources needed to pay firefighters, recruit and retain volunteers, buy equipment, and respond quickly when you c…

DIFRC is hiring! We are committed to fostering a holistic and strong working environment where staff feel motivated to carry out important work within our Native communities. As a Native-led organization, we have a part in making important change in protecting our children and families for generations to come.

The Denver Indian Family Resource Center (DIFRC) is seeking a Staff Assistant who will support with the daily operations of the office and is supervised by the Office Administrator. The Staff Assistant will collaborate with other DIFRC staff on office and project related tasks and assist with coordinating and planning events. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, proactive, has strong computer competency, and possesses excellent communication skills.

Please visit our website at https://difrc.org (link in bio) to see our Career Opportunities with the listed job descriptions.

Are you deeply connected to Metro Denver, and looking for a way to change your community?

We want your perspective, expertise, and experience to shape and inform the priorities and strategies of The Denver Foundation. We are recruiting volunteers from diverse backgrounds to join our Advisory Committee for Community Impact. Joining this committee provides you with the opportunity to learn, connect, share feedback, and help shape our decisions for years to come.

If you have a deep commitment to your community, live or work in the seven-county metro area, and share our vision for a more equitable Metro Denver, we want to hear from you. Learn more and apply today.
https://bit.ly/acci-application

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¿Está profundamente conectado con Metro Denver y está buscando una manera de cambiar su comunidad?

Queremos que su perspectiva, conocimientos y experiencia den forma e informen las prioridades y estrategias de The Denver Foundation. Estamos reclutando voluntarios de diversos orígenes para que se unan a nuestro Comité Asesor de Impacto Comunitario. Unirse a este comité le brinda la oportunidad de aprender, conectarse, compartir comentarios y ayudar a dar forma a nuestras decisiones en los próximos años.

Si tiene un profundo compromiso con su comunidad, vive o trabaja en el área metropolitana de los siete condados y comparte nuestra visión de un área de Metro Denver más equitativa, queremos saber de usted. Obtenga más información y presente su solicitud hoy.

https://bit.ly/acci-application

📢 Reminder: Applications are now open for the 2024-2026 WINcome Grantmaking Opportunity!

We're excited to build on the successes of the 2021-2023 WINcome initiative and continue supporting economic advancement through trust-based funding.

Our new grants offer general operating support and flexible cash assistance for direct service organizations, focusing on gender, racial, and economic equity for women and families in Colorado.

Apply now to be part of this transformative work! Applications are due by midnight on August 28.

Learn more at www.wfco.org/wincome

Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams gets it. Initiative 50 would strip away local control and would be a one-size-fits-NONE solution.

What does Initiative 50 on the Colorado ballot really mean? | KRDO A live TV news station covering breaking news and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado with a strong investigative team

We believe in making good for everyone. And you can do so any day, any time you want.

Making a difference for the cause you care about doesn’t have a deadline, and it’s not reserved for only one day or one event. Giving is something we can do any day! And the ripple effects last year round.

Today. Tomorrow. Any day.

Choose from over 3,800 Colorado nonprofits on ColoradoGives.org and start making good happen.

ALG Black Arts Festival 2024 Volunteer Sign Up Welcome to our volunteer sign up form for the African Leadership Groups(ALG) Black Arts Festival Booth! With a focus on social, economic and educational impact, the African Leadership Group hosts a major community event every year in August, Afrik Impact, to celebrate our collective accomplishments,...

The Bell Policy Center caught up with Carmina Lass, Director of Colorado's Office of Financial Empowerment, to learn how the state is working with community members to improve access to banking and credit services. Have a listen https://youtu.be/cGxeNshJJjs and read our piece. https://bit.ly/3W2IMUy

Join The Bell Policy Center and the Colorado Children’s Campaign for a webinar about the problems two property tax ballot measures – Initiative 50 and Proposed Initiative 108 – could cause for our state, our communities, and Colorado kids and families.​

Click here to register!​
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1Dn3DEp6Qq6PG2Rvg5VKtA #/registration

Join The Bell Policy Center and the Colorado Children’s Campaign for a webinar about the problems two property tax ballot measures – Initiative 50 and Proposed Initiative 108 – could cause for our state, our communities, and Colorado kids and families.​

Click here to register!​
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1Dn3DEp6Qq6PG2Rvg5VKtA #/registration

Beautiful day for this afternoon’s Racial Equity Study bill signing! The Bell Policy Center Board member Sade Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of CHIC Denver, was among those who attended and celebrated this milestone.