Colorado Conversations 2002: March 28

With a diverse group of Denver regional leaders in attendance, Colorado Conversations continued to provide engaging dialogues around Denver's most critical issues. At the second program series on Thursday, March 28th, Arturo Vargas, the President of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, delivered a keynote address titled, "Can Political Power Really Be Shared?". He challenged the leaders of Denver to discuss issues revolving around Denver's changing demographics, issue-based voting, political representation of the Denver region, and the quality of Denver's civic participation.

To move from voting around race and ethnicity to organizing around issues, Vargas suggested that the Denver begin a dialogue within its community to decide on the nature of governance. He also encouraged a voter education effort targeting the diverse groups within the Denver region to encourage listening. He urged the participants of Colorado Conversations to explore the question, "What concerns are voters voicing within their communities?"

Small group discussions also focused on the Voting Rights Act, the changing demographics in the Denver region, redistricting and how it effects the growing diversity within the Denver region. He challenged the leaders of Denver attending Colorado Conversations to begin thinking about these issues and how Denver can come together as a healthier community.

To further expand on the Denver Region's critical issues and how to begin addressing each in a collaborative and effective way, Jim Wallis, the co-founder of Call To Renewal and author of "Who Speaks For God", will speak at the third Colorado Conversation session on Thursday, April 11th. He will be addressing "The Role of Faith in Community Building".

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Meeting 2 Notes:

View notes from the small group discussions