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Finding Calm | September 12, 2025

  • Writer: Mesa County Dems
    Mesa County Dems
  • Oct 2
  • 4 min read

Publishes (mostly) every other Friday


Leadership Updates


  • Update from Chair / VC / Team Leader

  • Update from Co-Chair


Reflection from Co-Chair Jamie Porta

Does anyone else feel like we missed remembering September 11th? We’ve been so busy keeping up with the BS and cruelty from the current administration. We’ve jumped right into campaign season with our visits and town hall meetings with Senator Hickenlooper, Alex Kelloff, and John Mikos, and trying to educate people about the importance of D51 school board elections in November, and the good people running.
Mesa County Dems at Pride Event
Our volunteers were at Colorado West Pride Fest, the Market on Main in GJ, supporting La Plaza, protests, being involved in the community, reaching out to our neighbors, and strengthening the partnerships that Dems have built throughout the years. Feels like we don’t have enough time, people, resources or mental bandwidth. But I know it’s still important to take time to remember September 11th.
Remember our long history of foreign interference and plunder of other countries’ natural resources for the profit of U.S. corporations while calling it "protecting our national interests," and the misdirected hatred and racism that followed. Remember the rights that we all lost and have never gotten back because of the Patriot Act, and the ways Homeland Security turned the U.S. to a surveillance state.
gif of twin towers
This is a time to remember the people lost in the attacks, the heroes who did their best to help during and after, those who still grieve, and people still dealing with the long-term health effects from the aftermath. Remember that angry young men who lost a fascist influencer this week now have a martyr. They are too young to have any memory of 24 years ago. I fear the potential for the framework of Never Forget being shifted to fit an authoritarian narrative.
If we center the lessons of 9/11 in historical facts and Never Forget with clear hindsight, we still have a chance to truly honor the victims of that day and, hopefully, prevent even worse manipulations of blind patriotism.

— Jamie Porta, Co-Chair Mesa County Democrats



Local Meetings & Elections


MCDP Monthly Meetings

  • New schedule: 2nd Monday of each month at 5:30 PM

  • Next meeting: October 13 at Mesa Dems office

  • Attend in person or via Zoom. Contact the Mesa County Dems office and leave word for Jamie Porta if you wish to register/attend via Zoom.


City/Town Meetings Around the Valley


In Memoriam – Kevin Kuns

We honor Kevin Kuns, Montrose County Democratic Party Chair, who saw communities not in red and blue, but in the colors of fairness and progress.

“Kevin was a believer in rural Colorado… a fierce fighter, a loyal Democrat, and a passionate advocate. We will miss his dedication and tenacity statewide.”

— Colorado Democratic Party


State Legislation & Updates


From Governor Polis

Governor Jared Polis released a message on gun violence in schools and political violence.


2026 Election Updates

As of April 25, 2025, the following Democrats have announced candidacies for November 3, 2026:


Governor


Attorney General


Secretary of State


Treasurer


Board of Education

  • Mike Rathbone (Dist. C)

  • Kaci Cole (Dist. D)

  • Vicki Woods (Dist. E)


CD3


D51 School Board Elections & Events

  • Meet & Greet

    • Sept 24, 2025 | 5:30–7 PM | Copper Club Brewery, Fruita

  • Candidate Forum

    • Sept 30, 2025 | 5:30–7 PM | Mesa County Central Library, GJ

    • Candidates: Kaci Cole, Vicki Woods, Mike Rathbone

Other candidates: Andrea Haitz, Will Jones, Angela Lema

Reminder: School Board elections are off-cycle, leading to low voter turnout. This is the chance to elect leaders who support students, teachers, and public education.

Events & Activities

  • Sept 12 – John Mikos for Treasurer, Mesa Dems HQ

  • Sept 13 – LWV event: Traditional & Charter Schools, Clifton Library

  • Sept 17 – School Board Forum, Grand Junction High School

  • Sept 26–27 – Fruita Fall Festival Parade (join us!)

  • Oct 11 – Cocktails & Auction, Grand Valley Events Center

  • Dec 13 – Holiday Party, Eagles Lodge


Volunteer with:

  • Postcard Campaigns (Sept–Oct, at Dems office)

  • Protests & honk-and-wave actions

  • First Fridays socials at the Dems office (Oct 3 next)


Volunteer Opportunities

James Gilliam, Volunteer Lead, shared ways to plug in:


  • Help at events, parades, and meet-and-greets.

  • Write Letters to the Editor.

  • Join Indivisible Grand Junction (FB + Instagram).

  • Resist and engage: MesaDemsVolunteers@gmail.com | ☎️ 970-549-8544


Contact Your Elected Officials

📌 Here’s how to reach your representatives:


  • Senator Michael Bennet – Website

    • Grand Junction Office: (970) 241-6631

    • Washington DC: (202) 224-5852


  • Senator John Hickenlooper – Website

    • GJ Office: (970) 822-4530

    • Washington DC: (202) 224-5941


  • Congressman Jeff Hurd (CD3) – Website

    • GJ Office: (970) 208-0455 | 743 Horizon Ct, Suite 112

    • Washington DC: (202) 225-4676


Resources

  • Survey: Take our short survey

  • Newsletters & Blogs: Heather Cox Richardson, Robert Reich, Mother Jones, Snopes, Indivisible, The 1440, and more.


Mesa County Democrats Office

📍 310 N 7th St #2, Grand Junction, CO

⏰ Office Hours:

  • Mon & Thu: 12–4 PM

  • Wed: 10 AM–4 PM

  • Tue & Fri: Closed

☎️ 970-549-8544

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