New Era Colorado - A look at 2009

A look at 2009

Well, it's that time of year. I'm not talking about the holidays, but more about those annoying "Top 10" or "Top 100" lists of the past year. We figured it only makes sense for us to jump in there as well. So here it is: the Top 10 Moments of the New Era in 2009!

10. Launching New Era News, a political blog.

Ok, so this will actually launch in early 2010, but we've been pretty excited about it for the past year, so we think it counts. New Era News will be a nontraditional political news blog written by the New Era Press Corps, complete with video, commentary, and a new take on the happenings of our time.

9. Trick or Vote 2009

We rocked the local 2009 elections with a Trick or Vote of over 100 volunteer canvassers knocking on thousands of doors in one evening. US Senator Michael Bennet and State Representatives Mark Ferrandino and Joe Miklosi joined us. We partnered with Denver Open Media to throw a pretty raging Trick or Vote afterparty. Next year's will be bigger, badder, and bigger. Yep, I said bigger twice.

8. Meet the Candidates, American Idol Style

11 candidates, one stage, 300 cell phones. We hosted the biggest, weirdest, and most fun candidate debate of the Boulder City Council elections (and we'd say maybe in the history of Boulder city council elections, but we've been told that the Horse Stable Association threw a pretty crazy debate in 1904). Our good friends at our fav eco/yoga/buddhist/mindful living publication ElephantJournal.com co-hosted the evening with us.

7. Fake Doctors for Real Reform

Our team of Fake Doctors for Real Reform engaged thousands of people this summer about the critical issue of the year: reforming our horribly sick health care system. We collected over 5,000 cards written by young people around the state at festivals, fairs, art walks, concerts, etc. When we met with Senator Udall's people at his office to drop off the cards, their response was "Wow. We never even thought about young people and health care before today." Well done, fake doctors. Well done.

6. Defeated the good-for-nothing Denver Impound Initiative

We made calls and knocked on doors with our partner organizations in Denver to beat the dangerous and vaguely-worded Denver Impound Initiative. Since a similar initiative passed just a few years ago, we proved that grassroots action in an off-year can significantly turn the tides on important issues.

5. Registered 1,000 new voters.

'Nuff said.

4. Denver Pride Festival

It was pretty much awesome. Dozens of our fake doctors for real reform marched in the parade and engaged

thousands of people about the critical issue of health care reform. Also, the well-decorated New Era bus in the parade was quite fabulous!

3.The New Era Internship Program Expands

Over 40 young politicos in the Denver and Boulder area went through our new internship program in 2009. They not only learned the ins and outs of grassroots politics and lobbying, but they also ran their own campaigns from start to finish. The program in 2010 is our biggest one yet. Let us know if you want in on the action by emailing us here.

2. Released "Get On The Bus" at New Era's 1st Annual Dinner

That's right. Our own little documentary. Check it out here.

1. Passed the Online Voter Registration bill

It took us two years, but we finally got it passed in the 2009 Legislative Session with broad bipartisan support--it even

passed unanimously in the State Senate! We were named one of the top youth activism victories in 2009 by WireTap Magazine for it! Starting in April 2010 you'll be able to register to vote and change your registration information on the interwebs without any printing or signing. Thank your local New Era volunteer for that one.

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Read the Blog

Intern w/ NEC

Watch the Movie!

Register to Vote

Get On The Bus!

Take Action

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