Real Advocates of the Colorado Capitol Tell All: The 2023 Legislative Session
June 14, 2023
By Tash Berwick and Arianna Morales, Real Advocates Session 1
The Real Advocates of the Colorado Capitol testify before a Committee.
Session may be over, but the Real Advocates’ work didn’t stop on May 9. In our debut tell-all, we’re embracing tea time for a chance to revisit this session’s wins, unveil (some of) the behind-the-scenes drama, and to remind our elected officials that young people are a constituency worth listening to–because we’re watching what happens live.*
*We recommend reading the questions in Andy Cohen’s voice.
How would you describe this session? Are you okay? How’s your therapist?
Tash: We had a big win this session – like working with COLOR to pass the first-ever law in the country to regulate abortion pill reversal – and a few losses (housing, gun control, etc). I am really proud of the work we did this year.
After a game, Giannis Antetokounmpo tells the press, “There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days, some days you’re able to be successful, some days you’re not.”
Our organization showed up, our partners showed up, young voters showed up, and at the end of the day I can bet legislators across the state have more clarity about young people’s priorities. I think Giannis Antetokounmpo pretty much summed up how I feel about the session.
Arianna: As the session went on, it was clear that we’d be inching toward change rather than making bold moves…despite some pretty dramatic election results that suggested otherwise. While we passed some strong policies around reproductive rights, legislators couldn’t seem to get on the same page about housing and renter protections. My therapist? She probably knows more than she wanted to know about the Senate Judiciary Committee and a couple of swing Democrats.
Break down New Era’s priorities for us. What are they and how did your work on these issues push (or not push) progress?
Arianna: We’ve organized for abortion rights and been a part of the Colorado Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Coalition for years. This year, our team decided it was time we make big political moves to break down barriers to abortion access. With COLOR, we passed legislation to regulate deceptive advertising practices of anti-abortion centers. We stand by our decision to champion this bill along with our favorite powerhouses at COLOR because of the responsibility we all felt to the communities we represent.
The Colorado Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Coalition celebrates after the package bill signing.
SB23-190 Deceptive Trade Practice Pregnancy-related Service was one out of the three bills in the Safe Access to Protected Healthcare Package that sought to protect and expand gender-affirming care and abortion care in the state. All three bills in the package passed and we heard immediately from our community that they were grateful for the work we did!
Tash: Housing was also a big priority this year. From personal experience, organizing, and research we did on rent affordability across the state for young people, we knew that young people can’t afford to live where their lives are. It’s clear to us that affordable housing is a statewide racial justice issue.
Legislators with power aren’t in tune with the needs of their constituents. Remember 91% of young Coloradans supported protections–so why don’t our legislators?
Legislators think landlords and market demand should dictate prices. Needless to say, we disagree. Housing is a human right and we believe the government has a responsibility to make sure all residents live somewhere that’s safe, secure, and affordable.
Developers and landlords can and will pull out all the stops–money, lobbyists, ads–to protect their fiefdoms and will pressure elected officials to fall in line.
What was the hardest decision New Era had to make this legislative session?
Arianna: We made a lot of tough calls this session. One of those tough calls was deciding to not engage on the Prohibit Assault Weapons in Colorado bill that had support from young people, including the students at East High School who experienced the devastating impacts of gun violence this year.
We’ve discussed at length what New Era’s role is on gun control. When we asked young people in 2021 what issues were at the top of their minds, gun control didn’t rise to the top ten; when we were drafting our Youth Agenda policy platform, we decided it would be more impactful to focus on supporting organizations eradicating the harms caused by the criminal justice system. Although we didn’t engage in the assault weapon ban policy directly, we’re willing to support young activists by providing resources, media connections, and more.
Democrats won historic majorities in 2022 which many of us thought would be a mandate for delivering on campaign promises, like gun safety, the housing crisis, and climate justice. What happened? What do we do now?
The Real Advocates of the Colorado Capitol die for a sec, along with some bills.
Tash: All of the bills that died dramatically–the Gig Worker Bill, Local Control of Rents, Assault Weapons Ban–failed because a party label simply doesn’t mean you support progressive policies. These typical “Democratic issues” should have sailed through a supermajority legislature—and they have in other states like Washington or Minnesota. Supermajority… more like super bummer, am I right?!
Every single elected official in the General Assembly represents a community that is affected by at least one of these issues, especially young people. And you know what else – YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYED A HUGE PART IN SECURING THE SUPERMAJORITY.
Arianna: Deep breath.
Tash: Despite feeling frustrated, there’s some good here. Progressive policies smoked out the moderates, which has made the political map more clear than ever. New Era represents one-third of voters in Colorado and is tracking the General Assembly’s votes. I’m not the only one with dreams of the primaries dancing in my head.
Arianna: Young people have told us that when legislators fail to deliver on major issues, it makes them feel disconnected from voting. Yet, they show up, election after election because of the immeasurable hope and responsibility they feel for their future. Across the state, young people are becoming more and more interested in running for office. If we continue to see a lack of action from our current legislators…I think it’s time we bring new (fresh) faces to the Capitol!
Season
1 Recap
How would you describe this session? Are you okay? How’s your therapist?
Tash: We had a big win this session – like working with COLOR to pass the first-ever law in the country to regulate abortion pill reversal – and a few losses (housing, gun control, etc). I am really proud of the work we did this year.
After a game, Giannis Antetokounmpo tells the press, “There’s no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days, some days you’re able to be successful, some days you’re not.”
Our organization showed up, our partners showed up, young voters showed up, and at the end of the day I can bet legislators across the state have more clarity about young people’s priorities. I think Giannis Antetokounmpo pretty much summed up how I feel about the session.
Arianna: As the session went on, it was clear that we’d be inching toward change rather than making bold moves…despite some pretty dramatic election results that suggested otherwise. While we passed some strong policies around reproductive rights, legislators couldn’t seem to get on the same page about housing and renter protections. My therapist? She probably knows more than she wanted to know about the Senate Judiciary Committee and a couple of swing Democrats.
Break down New Era’s priorities for us. What are they and how did your work on these issues push (or not push) progress?
Arianna: We’ve organized for abortion rights and been a part of the Colorado Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Coalition for years. This year, our team decided it was time we make big political moves to break down barriers to abortion access. With COLOR, we passed legislation to regulate deceptive advertising practices of anti-abortion centers. We stand by our decision to champion this bill along with our favorite powerhouses at COLOR because of the responsibility we all felt to the communities we represent.
The Colorado Reproductive Rights, Health, and Justice Coalition celebrates after the package bill signing.
SB23-190 Deceptive Trade Practice Pregnancy-related Service was one out of the three bills in the Safe Access to Protected Healthcare Package that sought to protect and expand gender-affirming care and abortion care in the state. All three bills in the package passed and we heard immediately from our community that they were grateful for the work we did!
Tash: Housing was also a big priority this year. From personal experience, organizing, and research we did on rent affordability across the state for young people, we knew that young people can’t afford to live where their lives are. It’s clear to us that affordable housing is a statewide racial justice issue.
Legislators with power aren’t in tune with the needs of their constituents. Remember 91% of young Coloradans supported protections–so why don’t our legislators?
Legislators think landlords and market demand should dictate prices. Needless to say, we disagree. Housing is a human right and we believe the government has a responsibility to make sure all residents live somewhere that’s safe, secure, and affordable.
Developers and landlords can and will pull out all the stops–money, lobbyists, ads–to protect their fiefdoms and will pressure elected officials to fall in line.
What was the hardest decision New Era had to make this legislative session?
Arianna: We made a lot of tough calls this session. One of those tough calls was deciding to not engage on the Prohibit Assault Weapons in Colorado bill that had support from young people, including the students at East High School who experienced the devastating impacts of gun violence this year.
We’ve discussed at length what New Era’s role is on gun control. When we asked young people in 2021 what issues were at the top of their minds, gun control didn’t rise to the top ten; when we were drafting our Youth Agenda policy platform, we decided it would be more impactful to focus on supporting organizations eradicating the harms caused by the criminal justice system. Although we didn’t engage in the assault weapon ban policy directly, we’re willing to support young activists by providing resources, media connections, and more.
Democrats won historic majorities in 2022 which many of us thought would be a mandate for delivering on campaign promises, like gun safety, the housing crisis, and climate justice. What happened? What do we do now?
The Real Advocates of the Colorado Capitol die for a sec, along with some bills.
Tash: All of the bills that died dramatically–the Gig Worker Bill, Local Control of Rents, Assault Weapons Ban–failed because a party label simply doesn’t mean you support progressive policies. These typical “Democratic issues” should have sailed through a supermajority legislature—and they have in other states like Washington or Minnesota. Supermajority… more like super bummer, am I right?!
Every single elected official in the General Assembly represents a community that is affected by at least one of these issues, especially young people. And you know what else – YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYED A HUGE PART IN SECURING THE SUPERMAJORITY.
Arianna: Deep breath.
Tash: Despite feeling frustrated, there’s some good here. Progressive policies smoked out the moderates, which has made the political map more clear than ever. New Era represents one-third of voters in Colorado and is tracking the General Assembly’s votes. I’m not the only one with dreams of the primaries dancing in my head.
Arianna: Young people have told us that when legislators fail to deliver on major issues, it makes them feel disconnected from voting. Yet, they show up, election after election because of the immeasurable hope and responsibility they feel for their future. Across the state, young people are becoming more and more interested in running for office. If we continue to see a lack of action from our current legislators…I think it’s time we bring new (fresh) faces to the Capitol!
The Tea
There’s a lot of drama that happens under the Golden Dome that politicos try to keep under wraps. So let’s unwrap it.
Oddest thing you witnessed this session?
Tash: There is this thing called a “division” when every legislator is required to get their booty to the Senate or House floor and physically vote on something. Folks will stand in the hallway of the Capitol and yell “DIVISION” and electeds will just come running out of nowhere. So, a division happens and myself and a few team members are standing by the House floor when an unnamed elected official runs by. They were buckling up their pants (likely rushing from the restroom) and–I shit you not–a gun fell out of their pants. They apologized, picked it up and went to vote. It was surreal.
Arianna: During one of the final readings of the Safe Access to Protected Healthcare Package, there was a group of us advocates waiting for the bills to be voted on. While we were waiting, three. different. legislators. sassed us about our abortion advocacy as they walked by. It was so odd because we had been in Committee rooms prior to that with dozens of people against us on the issue and not one had gone out of their way to be rude. It was eye-opening and truly saddening to witness elected officials treat advocates with such little respect. I’m still not sure what to make of it.
What is it like to lobby someone?
New Era Political Director Tash Berwick peers into the Senate chamber from the lobby.
Tash: Lobbying happens really fast! You have to keep your argument tight, your community perspective dialed, and – at the same time – be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. Lobbying requires relentless optimism and grit. And lots of coffee.
Arianna: Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. Those are the lyrics to “Lose Yourself,” but, quite honestly, it’s completely accurate to how I first felt when I lobbied someone. The truth is, it’s not that bad! You just need to be able to speak to the impact of an issue and if you have direct experience with it, make sure to bring that up. Legislators want to hear that policies have real impacts for real people.
The
Tea
There’s a lot of drama that happens under the Golden Dome that politicos try to keep under wraps. So let’s unwrap it.
Oddest thing you witnessed this session?
Tash: There is this thing called a “division” when every legislator is required to get their booty to the Senate or House floor and physically vote on something. Folks will stand in the hallway of the Capitol and yell “DIVISION” and electeds will just come running out of nowhere. So, a division happens and myself and a few team members are standing by the House floor when an unnamed elected official runs by. They were buckling up their pants (likely rushing from the restroom) and–I shit you not–a gun fell out of their pants. They apologized, picked it up and went to vote. It was surreal.
Arianna: During one of the final readings of the Safe Access to Protected Healthcare Package, there was a group of us advocates waiting for the bills to be voted on. While we were waiting, three. different. legislators. sassed us about our abortion advocacy as they walked by. It was so odd because we had been in Committee rooms prior to that with dozens of people against us on the issue and not one had gone out of their way to be rude. It was eye-opening and truly saddening to witness elected officials treat advocates with such little respect. I’m still not sure what to make of it.
What is it like to lobby someone?
New Era Political Director Tash Berwick peers into the Senate chamber from the lobby.
Tash: Lobbying happens really fast! You have to keep your argument tight, your community perspective dialed, and – at the same time – be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. Lobbying requires relentless optimism and grit. And lots of coffee.
Arianna: Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. Those are the lyrics to “Lose Yourself,” but, quite honestly, it’s completely accurate to how I first felt when I lobbied someone. The truth is, it’s not that bad! You just need to be able to speak to the impact of an issue and if you have direct experience with it, make sure to bring that up. Legislators want to hear that policies have real impacts for real people.
Superlatives
The Capitol can feel as petty and insular as high school, so let’s do some superlatives! Top of your head, who would you vote for…
(Teenage) Drama Queen Award SB23-213 Land Use, which was Governor Polis’s biggest priority and touted as the solution to all our housing needs (we beg to differ, but save that for another time). There was so much build up to this bill and it sucked all the air out of the Dome once it was introduced. At the end of the day, it died due to fierce debate over local control of zoning rules–and it left in its wake a number of bills that died due to lack of time on the calendar.
The Capitol can feel as petty and insular as high school, so let’s do some superlatives! Top of your head, who would you vote for…
(Teenage) Drama Queen Award SB23-213 Land Use, which was Governor Polis’s biggest priority and touted as the solution to all our housing needs (we beg to differ, but save that for another time). There was so much build up to this bill and it sucked all the air out of the Dome once it was introduced. At the end of the day, it died due to fierce debate over local control of zoning rules–and it left in its wake a number of bills that died due to lack of time on the calendar.
We know you want MORE so here’s a sneak peek of 2024’s season of The Real Advocates of the Colorado Legislature.
Arianna Morales, New Era’s soon-to-be new organizing director, is definitely not posing for this photo in a Senate Committee Room.
YOU’LL SEE NEW FACES……. We are sad and thrilled to say that Arianna will no longer be on New Era’s Policy team because she has moved on…..TO BEING OUR ORGANIZING DIRECTOR. Keep an eye out in the fall for our newest addition to the cast.
YOU’LL SEE THEM ON THE BALLOT….. Working to overturn the ban on government funding for abortion and a fair tax measure.
WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY…… Start a progressive independent expenditure.
TUNE IN TO FIND OUT. WE’LL SEE YOU IN 2024!
Next Season on
the Real Advocates
We know you want MORE so here’s a sneak peek of 2024’s season of The Real Advocates of the Colorado Legislature.
Arianna Morales, New Era’s soon-to-be new organizing director, is definitely not posing for this photo in a Senate Committee Room.
YOU’LL SEE NEW FACES……. We are sad and thrilled to say that Arianna will no longer be on New Era’s Policy team because she has moved on…..TO BEING OUR ORGANIZING DIRECTOR. Keep an eye out in the fall for our newest addition to the cast.
YOU’LL SEE THEM ON THE BALLOT….. Working to overturn the ban on government funding for abortion and a fair tax measure.
WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY…… Start a progressive independent expenditure.
