Education and Training

 

Campaign Trainings (women and men)

Campaign Training and Assistance
Sponsored by the Colorado Farm Bureau
The Colorado Farm Bureau periodically assists members interested in running for public office by hosting candidate training sessions where members receive information on campaign organization, fundraising and message development. These trainings are included in the organization's political education efforts and are consistent with the American Farm Bureau's campaign management training model.

For more information:
Colorado Farm Bureau
9177 East Mineral Circle
Centennial, CO 80112
info@colofb.com
(303) 749-7500

Campaign Trainings
Sponsored by the Colorado Democratic Party
The Colorado Democratic party  provides campaign trainings at least once per year, often in conjunction with elections and party re-organization. Program format varies by training type, with some offered to any Colorado Democrat seeking more information on political campaigns and others provided to candidates and/or campaign professionals.  

For more information:
Mike Weissman, Political Director
Colorado Democratic Party
777 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
info@coloradodems.org
(303) 623-4762

Progressive Majority Candidate Recruitment and Development Program
Sponsored by Progressive Majority
Launched in 2004, Progressive Majority's Candidate Recruitment and Development Program works to recruit progressive leaders to public service by providing political campaign support and pragmatic skills needed in today's political environment. Candidates for state and local offices who are identified, recruited, and supported by Progressive Majority receive comprehensive and substantive support,  both in small groups and one-on-one. Persons interested in running for political office or applying to become a part of the Candidate Recruitment and Development Program should contact Progressive Majority to inquire about their efforts in battleground states like Colorado.

For more information:
Progressive Majority
1536 Wynkoop Street 
Denver, CO 80202-1182
(202) 408-8603

Leadership Training Programs (women and men)

Center for Progressive Leadership - Colorado
The Center for Progressive Leadership offers two types of trainings in locations throughout the country. The State Political Leaders Fellowship recruits, trains, mentors, and connects promising political leaders and future candidates in target states like Colorado. The Fellowship consists of nine months of intensive political training, coaching, mentorship, and networking events to provide 40-60 fellows with the skills, resources, knowledge, and relationships needed to become effective future candidates, organizational leaders, and activists in their communities. CPL also offers Springboard Trainings to provide activists, political staff, and future candidates with the skills and resources needed to build long-term political power in their region. These one-time trainings also serve as pre-trainings for the Fellowship programs.

For more information:
Dante James
Center for Progressive Leadership - Colorado
2444 Washington Street, Suite 220
Denver, CO 80205
djames@progressiveleaders.org
colorado@progressiveleaders.org
(303) 861-1883

Colorado Springs Leadership Institute
The Colorado Springs Leadership Institute was formed in 1996 with the purpose of promoting the quality and quantity of leaders in the Pikes Peak region. The Institute works to connect, educate, and engage area leaders from diverse sectors of the community through programs and events. The cornerstone program of the Institute is a weeklong training for about sixteen new members annually.

For more information:
Katie Lally, Program Manager
Colorado Springs Leadership Institute
850 Leader Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
lallyk@ccl.org

Leadership Aurora
Sponsored by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Aurora is a ten-month community leadership development program that educates and prepares participants to take on leadership roles in Aurora's public and private sectors. Each year, local businesses, organizations, and agencies identify candidates who are encourage to apply; 35-40 class members are selected to participate in an opening retreat and eight full-day sessions held on the third Thursday of each month. Session topics include quality of life, education, media training, criminal justice, economy and infrastructure, military/government, healthcare, fire protection services, and leadership training.

For more information:
Kimberly Curtis, Director
Aurora Chamber of Commerce
14305 E. Alameda Avenue
Suite 300
Aurora, CO 80012
Kimberly.Curtis@aurorachamber.org
(303) 344-1500

Leadership Denver
Sponsored by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
Leadership Denver is an 11-month leadership program that brings together approximately 55 community leaders to discuss and learn about the challenges facing the Denver Metro area. Through monthly sessions and events, selected class members are taught by area experts and leaders in the public and private sectors for the purpose of expanding their commitment to voluntary civic responsibility. The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation also offers Impact Denver for emerging community leaders, a Leadership Exchange for cross-city coalitions, and Legacy Denver for established community leaders.

For more information:
Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
1445 Market Street
Denver, CO 80202
info@denverleadership.org
(303) 620-8055

Organizations Committed To Political Parity

Colorado Federation of Democratic Women
The National Federation of Democratic Women (NFDW) supports the inclusion of women’s voices in the Democratic Party. With 32 chapters nationwide, the NFDW promotes Democratic Party goals and candidates and works to unite women party members behind them. NFDW chapters recognize potential women candidates and encourage their candidacies for office.   Members attend meetings, organize educational and political events, volunteer for campaigns, and support candidates for office.

For more information:
Margaret Atencio President
Colorado Federation of Democratic Women
2600 King Street
Denver, CO 80219
latinadem@hotmail.com
(720) 320-7205

Colorado Federation of Republican Women
Through affiliate chapters in nearly every state, the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) promotes the principles, objectives and policies of the Republican Party; elects Republican candidates; informs the public through political education and activity; and increases the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. In working toward these objectives, the NFRW concentrates its efforts in the areas of educating, communicating, recruiting, campaigning, fundraising, training and legislative action.

For more information:
Jan Cummings, President
Colorado Federation of Republican Women
kiowa@hotmail.com
(719) 748-3629

Colorado NOW
Sponsored by the National Organization for Women
Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States whose goal is to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW is a multi-issue, multi-strategy organization that takes a holistic approach to women's rights. The organization's official priorities are winning economic equality and securing it with an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will guarantee equal rights for women; championing abortion rights, reproductive freedom and other women's health issues; opposing racism and fighting bigotry against lesbians and gays; and ending violence against women. NOW has over 550 chapters in all 50 states that participate in education and advocacy activities. Information on state and local chapters of NOW is available on the national NOW website and through state chapters.

Women's Political Action Committees (PACs)

Colorado BlueFlower Fund
The Colorado Blue Flower Fund is small donor committee that helps to elect Democratic, pro-choice, progressive women candidates running for state and local office in Colorado. The BlueFlower Fund actively researches and recruits qualified, competitive candidates for whom they will provide financial support.

For more information:
Colorado BlueFlower Fund
PO Box 44143
Denver, CO 80201
info@ColoradoBlueFlowerFund.org
(720) 295-7753

Women’s Legislative Caucuses

Colorado Legislative Women’s Caucus
The Colorado Legislative Women's Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group made up of the women currently serving in the Colorado General Assembly, established formally in 2009. The Caucus comes together to foster collegiality among our members and to honor the history of women in the legislature. Speakers are available to discuss the legislative process and the history of women in Colorado's legislature.

For more information:
Laura Hoeppner, Executive Director
Colorado Legislative Women's Caucus
coloradowomenscaucus@gmail.com