New Era Colorado was founded 16 years ago with a singular mission: to engage more young people in the political process. Since 2006, we’ve registered more than 250,000 young people to vote, turned them out at record levels, led Colorado to the third-highest youth turnout in 2020, and fought to improve election access for young people at the Capitol. We built a lot of power with young people in Colorado and now, we are naming what all of that work is for—to take passion to progress and create the world young people dream of.
In 2021, we traveled across the state to ask young people about the top issues on their minds and their hopes for the future. That led to the creation of the Youth Agenda, a policy platform by young people for all people that’s centered in racial justice. The conversations that we had (and are still having) around the values and goals of Youth Agenda made it clear that young people know where we stand on the issues like reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, gender expression, and mental health; why don’t our politicians?
Through our work with New Era Action Fund, we asked candidates on the 2022 ballot the same questions we work to answer: Should people have the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health? Should the influence of the wealthy and corporations in politics be limited? Do you believe college should be debt-free?
Their answers, and non-answers, revealed a lot about how candidates prioritize, or don’t prioritize, young people’s issues. See for yourself where the candidates on your ballot stand. We also evaluated a few of the measures on the statewide and Denver ballots to see how they progress or push back young people’s vision of the world. We know that finding an affordable place to live is nearly impossible these days. That’s why we’re voting YES on Proposition 123. We know that nine times out of 10, landlords are represented during an eviction process while tenants are represented just one percent of the time. That’s why we’re voting YES on Denver Initiative 305. We know that when taxes get slashed, the wealthy save thousands, while the rest of us get millions taken from our teachers, roads, and colleges. That’s why we’re saying NO to Proposition 121.
This year’s midterm election is a chance for young people to vote with a vengeance and push for the change we demand to see: more affordable housing, greater investment in our communities, and expanded pathways to progress. So, check out our Voter Guides and fill out your ballot today!
Looking for a Voter Service and Polling Center or 24-hour ballot drop box? Find the one nearest you at JustVoteColorado.org.
Photo Courtesy of New Era
