kdoran, Author at Stand for Children Colorado

Amendment 80 Fails

Elections | 11/8/2024

Stand for Children

Great news: Amendment 80 was rejected by Colorado voters. Disguised as a measure seeking to protect school choice in the state constitution, which Colorado families already have, Amendment 80 would have taken a permanent first step toward creating a voucher system, which would use taxpayer dollars to bankroll elite private school tuition.  

“Our schools need more teachers, smaller classrooms, and resources for critical programs like mental health services, early literacy support, and workplace readiness, but Amendment 80 would have achieved the opposite,” said Stand for Children Executive Director Krista Spurgin. “We are thrilled to see Colorado voters reject this misleading measure because it is the last thing our children need. We need to stay focused on supporting schools that are open to all students, accountable to taxpayers, and preparing kids with the skills they need to succeed.”

“As a parent and a teacher, the education of my children and students is one of my top priorities, and Amendment 80 puts that at risk,” said Alysia Bellamy, a parent and educator in Pueblo. “I am a strong supporter of school choice, but Amendment 80 was not about school choice, which Colorado parents already have. It was a dangerous move toward vouchers which would have diverted money away from the public schools that are serving the majority of our kids. I am glad Amendment 80 was rejected by voters. Now we can return our focus to better supporting our public schools and teachers.”

Voucher programs divert critical resources from already-underfunded public schools and funnel them to unaccountable private schools that do not have to meet state education standards, or even teach scientifically sound curriculum. Often, vouchers primarily benefit families that can already afford private school tuition and may not address the needs of disadvantaged students.

We thank everyone for their work getting out the vote to ensure we protected our already underfunded schools from this deceitful effort to open the door to public school funding being sent to private schools.

Vote No on Amendment 80

Elections | 10/30/2024

Stand for Children

We cannot allow funding for public schools to be sent to private schools. Disguised as a measure seeking to protect school choice in the state constitution, which Colorado families already have, Amendment 80 takes a permanent first step towards creating a voucher system, which would use taxpayer dollars to bankroll elite private school tuition.  

If you’ve already voted, please use this toolkit to ask your friends and neighbors to vote no on Amendment 80.

Meet Lauren, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024

Stand for Children

Stand Colorado advances solutions that increase opportunities for families, historically furthest from privilege, through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards a stronger Colorado.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, share knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long-lasting relationships and invaluable skills.

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows!

Driven by a deep commitment to empowerment and healing, lauren serves as an alternative high school counselor and private practice therapist, blending her B.S. in Sociology and M.A. in Counseling to uplift individuals and communities.

Her leadership experience in the service industry shaped her passion for creating meaningful change, which she channels through volunteering with The Gathering Place and advocacy with Stand for Children.

Lauren values authenticity, resilience, and love, striving to help others navigate life’s challenges with courage and grace. her favorite book is The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith.

Meet Alysia, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024

Stand for Children

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows!

A passionate educator and advocate, Alysia juggles her roles as a high school English teacher, college Psychology professor, and devoted parent of two with unwavering dedication to justice in her community. Her favorite book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, inspires her belief in teamwork, love, and resilience against adversity.

Beyond teaching, she loves reading, particularly Dramione fanfiction, for its exploration of character growth and new perspectives. Her work and hobbies reflect her commitment to learning, creativity, and fostering meaningful growth in others.

Meet Tom, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024

Stand for Children

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows!

A dynamic and compassionate leader, Tom starts each day at dawn, balancing a life dedicated to family, learning, and community service. Whether it’s helping his grandchildren excel in school, preparing for his vital role as an Election Judge, or coaching youth basketball, he thrives on making a difference.

A lifelong learner and avid reader with a library of over 2,000 books, Tom finds joy in photography, woodworking, and storytelling. Fueled by innovation and passion, he approaches every challenge as an opportunity to solve problems and inspire others.

Meet Lesley, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 10/8/2024

Stand for Children

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows!

Lesley is a proud first-generation college graduate from Westwood, Denver, whose journey reflects resilience and passion for creating change. A 2013 FloCrit alumna and Southern New Hampshire University graduate, she champions equity and access through roles such as Parent Advisor for Ascend at the Aspen Institute and co-chair of the Denver Health Community Advisory Panel.

Deeply dedicated to education equity, Lesley’s advocacy ensures students and families have pathways to success. Her favorite book is “Tuesdays with Morrie”, she values authentic connections, balancing her impactful work with biking, paddleboarding, and creative pursuits like sewing and embroidery.

Meet Jesse, Stand Advocacy Fellow

In Their Own Words | 10/7/2024

Stand for Children

Stand for Children Colorado advances educational equity and racial justice in Colorado through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards racial justice and equity in education.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, democratize knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long-lasting relationships and invaluable skills.

We are excited to introduce the 2023–2024 Fellows!

and Colorado advances solutions that increase opportunities for families, historically furthest from privilege, through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policymakers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.

We are excited to introduce the 2024–2025 Fellows!

A proud Denver native and mother of three, jesse has dedicated her career to empowering young people. Since 2018, she has worked for Denver Public Schools, following several impactful years in Jeffco Public Schools.

Her passion lies in supporting at-risk youth, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive. Inspired by the transformative work of Stand for Children, she is committed to advocacy and family empowerment.

A lover of literature and the outdoors, Jesse enjoys paddleboarding and reading works by authors like Sandra Cisneros, Maya Angelou, and Terry Pratchett.

Be an education voter, November 5th

Elections | 09/16/2024

The Stand for Children Team

Election day isn’t until Tuesday, November 5^th, but your inbox, mailbox and social media is probably starting to be filled with information about candidates and initiatives. With that in mind, we are sharing that Stand for Children endorses the Denver Public Schools Bond and opposes Amendment 80.

Vote No: Amendment 80

Amendment 80 would amend the Colorado Constitution to include the right to school choice. School choice is already protected by Colorado law. Colorado families have exercised school choice for decades and there are no threats to their ability to continue, so this constitutional amendment is unnecessary. It is a deceitful and misguided effort to open the door to harm our students with vouchers that WILL take money away from our already underfunded schools. Colorado ranks in the bottom half of states for school funding, and vouchers will only exacerbate inequity and student outcomes.

More Reading:

Vote Yes: DPS Bond

The $975 million bond for Denver Public Schools would not require a tax increase for Denver property owners and would include investments for schools including air conditioning and safety upgrades, construction and other capital improvements for Denver schools, and investments in technology and career and technical education and STEAM spaces. You can read about the specific projects that would be funded here.

More reading:

We will be sharing more information about these measures, but in the meantime, it’s a great time to make sure your voter registration is up-to-date! Here’s where you can get the latest information about your voter eligibility and ballot drop off and polling locations.

Apply for Stand’s 2025 Advocacy Fellowship

Fellowship | 09/4/2024

Stand for Children

Parents, educators, and community members who are interested in becoming effective advocates for equity in our schools and community are invited to apply for Stand Colorado’s annual Advocacy Fellowship.

The fellowship meets monthly for nine months beginning in October. Fellows engage in ongoing and meaningful leadership development through trainings covering advocacy basics, communications, government structures, campaign planning, power mapping, public speaking, and community outreach.

Apply!

Learn more and hear feedback from past fellows here!

Policy experts speak with fellows on various topics throughout the year. Fellows will also have numerous opportunities to use their advocacy skills at the Capitol and engage with policymakers. We’ve compiled answers to questions we have received over the years here.

FCC Ruling Will Keep Families Connected

Criminal Justice Reform | 07/23/2024

Stand for Children

The Federal Trade Commission announced their unanimous decision to ensure families can stay connected, via phone while a loved one is in prison. Starting in 2025, their decision will more than halve the existing per-minute rate caps for all prison and jail phone calls across the country.

According to our partners Worth Rises, this ruling will increase connection for 83 percent of incarcerated people and save American families at least $500 million per year.

In Colorado, we passed legislation making prison phone calls free for all families, but this ruling means an overall savings for the state- and ultimately taxpayers- as predatory telecom providers will no longer be able to charge exorbitant fees. Stand championed the effort to pass HB23-1133, making prison communication free across Colorado in state and private facilities by 2025.