As the largest young voter registration organization in the state and one of the most effective youth turnout groups in the country (nbd), we’ve led the *new era* of political engagement since 2006. We’ve registered close to 250,000 young voters because we know that our vote is our voice, and young voices need to be heard. New Era is a big part of why Colorado has some of the highest young voter turnout rates in the nation, with our base of young voters turning out even higher.
Organizing All Year
New Era’s been organizing for a long time, and a lot has changed. Young people know that registering to vote alone won’t save us. Political progress at the local level is key to delivering on Youth Agenda policies at the state level. That’s why, in 2023, we launched a new organizing model for our organizers to become truly rooted in the community they serve.
We organize year-round in regional hubs, including Boulder, the Denver metro, Northern, and Southern Colorado. Here are some spotlights on the progress we’ve made at the city level:
- Boulder: Since 2023, we’ve been a part of a coalition to compel local electeds to raise the minimum wage by 15% each year to achieve the self-sufficiency standard in Boulder County. Thanks to the power of community, we were successful in our efforts and the increase went into effect for unincorporated parts of the county in January 2024! What’s next here? We’re keeping the pressure on Boulder City Council to raise the wage by 2025.
- Denver: Though we’ve had a presence in the Denver-metro area for years, we’re working on expanding our community beyond campuses and our bread-and-butter issues like higher education and student debt. Stay tuned for news about how we’re working on economic and housing justice in Denver and Aurora.
- Fort Collins: Until 2024, students and young people across Fort Collins lived under the restrictive U Plus 2 housing policy, which prevented them from living with their chosen families and roommates they needed to afford to live in the city. Thanks to our team’s work organizing on campus and at the Capitol, we helped pass HB24-1007 Residential Occupancy Limits which overturned the limits on how many unrelated people could live together. We’re excited to see how our housing work in Fort Collins will revolve as we see the impacts of the bill play out.
- Pueblo: Our work in Pueblo and southern Colorado is perhaps our newest organizing hub. As we work to become a part of the community and figure out where New Era’s organizing power is needed, we’re establishing relationships with young people and community members across the region to build our base.
Through engaging more with local issues and integrating our staff into communities, we’re hoping to expand our base to reflect the diversity and priorities of young people across the state.
How do we do it?
By meeting young people wherever they are. That means we:
- Are all over universities, community college campuses, high schools, and young people’s shared spaces across Colorado.
- Frequent all your favorite and values-aligned local businesses, whether it’s an ice cream shop, brewery, concert venue, or music festival.
- Can be found at major summer events across the state like Cinco de Mayo, Pride, Juneteenth, the Chile and Frijoles Festival, the Underground Music Showcase, a farmers’ market, or a neighborhood block party.
- Always want more ideas and local partners to expand our reach! Want to bring us to your school or business? Get in touch @ info@neweracolorado.org.
Election Season(ing)
We know that young people care more about issues than partisan politics, so we center the issues that matter most to young people in our work. Our exploration of local issues and young people’s political priorities will always be reinforced by our work to register and turn out young voters. We will continue educating voters and connecting them with the resources they need to vote in all elections.
Now that we’ve launched the New Era Colorado Action Fund Small Donor Committee and Young People For All People independent expenditure, our work with candidates also looks different. These two entities allow us to work with and for Youth Agenda Champions—and flex young people’s political power—like never before.
The young people we engage — our peers — stay involved with us year-round, beyond major elections, to keep fighting for a better Colorado.