Metro Denver Greens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2008

Colorado Greens Set Candidate Qualification

Buddy Moore Not a Green Candidate

(Arvada) - Mr. Buddy Moore of Wheat Ridge is not qualified as a candidate for the Colorado Green Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate as declared through a resolution passed last week by the party's statewide council.

On Saturday, March 29, the Green Party of Colorado's statewide council agreed to a proposal that reaffirms the party's compliance with state minor party election law -- CRS 1-4-1304(2)(c). The law requires that for a candidate to be qualified, she or he must not have been a registered voter with the Republican or Democrat parties anytime during the past twelve months, dating from the time of the minor party's nominating convention -- May 3, 2008 for the Colorado Green Party.

Although this decision by the leadership of the Colorado Green Party applies to any and all candidates, the pronouncement was deemed necessary because of the U.S. Senate candidacy of Buddy Moore. Mr. Moore changed his registration from Democrat to Green on February 6, 2008, and informed local Greens the very next day that he wanted to run for that office as a Green.

Denver resident Bob Kinsey officially announced his candidacy for the Green nomination to the U.S. Senate on February 7, 2008, but had been actively exploring a run since last summer.

On Thursday, March 6, the Adams-Jefferson Green Party local chapter rejected Moore's candidacy based upon the law and the fact that he had been a Democrat just one month previously. In the Colorado Green Party, a candidate for any office needs to receive the endorsement of the local party chapter where she or he resides in order to advance to the state convention.

In spite of the state law and the decision of Adams-Jefferson Greens, Mr. Moore has continued to describe himself as a Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Consequently, in support of Adams-Jefferson Greens, and so that there be clarity and finality in the matter, the state council of the Colorado Green party -- representing all local chapters -- agreed to formally declare that the party's bylaws are in compliance with the law.

Mr. Buddy Moore is not, therefore, a qualified candidate for nomination to any office by the Green Party of Colorado in 2008.

Contact:
Dave Chandler
Co-Chair, Green Party of Colorado
Dave@DaveChandler.us
303-424-9897

Tom Kelly
Co-Chair, Green Party of Colorado
tkelly733@earthlink.net
303-789-3156

April Shower of Green Events

Greens in Colorado and the Denver metro area have exciting and important events scheduled in the coming weeks.

Join us in our efforts to make Colorado, the nation and the world a greener and more peaceful place.

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Adams-Jefferson Greens April Meeting
Thursday, April 3, 2008

6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

Anne Campbell Room
(Enter at lower level Police Department door - off Ammons Street)
Arvada City Hall
8101 Ralston Road
Arvada, Colorado 80002

MAP

Selection of delegates to the state nominating convention is on the agenda.

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Sponsored by the Green Party of Colorado

Earth Day Musicfest
April 19, 2008
Doors Open at 3:00 P.M.
Quixote's
2637 Welton Street
Denver, Colorado
MAP
$10.00 Cover

More information below.

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Arapahoe and Denver Greens April Meeting
Monday, April 21, 2008

6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

Mercury Cafe
2199 California Street
Denver, Colorado 80205

MAP

Selection of delegates to the state nominating convention is on the agenda.

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Green Party of Colorado
Annual Meeting and Nominating Convention

Saturday, May 3, 2008
9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Littleton Preparatory Charter School
5151 South Federal Boulevard, Suite 1
Littleton, Colorado 80123

MAP

Denver Green for Peace

Claire Ryder is chair of the Denver Greens.

Link: Ryder Gives Voice to Those Who Once Wore the Boots | Bill Johnson/Rocky Mountain News

The boots and the shoes returned to Denver on Monday, all of them lined up in tidy rows outside the downtown library - a child's tiny, white sandals sharing space with a soldier's scuffed, well-worn boots.

Every time I see the display, it gets to me. This time, there were 54 pairs of empty combat boots, each set representing a Colorado soldier killed in Iraq. The sandals and other shoes represented Iraqis killed in the war.

Tied to the boots were laminated copies of each soldier's story, of where they served and how they died, some of which ran in this newspaper on Monday. It made them, well, not just a pair of empty boots.

Yet this time the display was different - not emotionally, mind you. You've got limestone for a heart if you look at those boots and shoes and aren't moved.

No, the difference this time was that very few people bothered to show.

Maybe 50 people stood at the 6:30 p.m. silent vigil. A year ago, the number was maybe 10-times that.

"Colorado Eyes Wide Open," sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, was a big thing back then. People wept. They stood before the long lines of boots, they touched them and prayed.

Not this time.

"I just think people are burnt out on the war," said Claire Ryder, who organized the event. "All that we are talking about and caring about now is the economy and the election."

She had gotten up early on Monday with three other volunteers to fetch, dust off and arrange the boots. They would stand over them until 8 p.m. Monday night.

"You do this for the people who can't speak out anymore," she explained. "You have to do it so people can see what's at stake."

"Eyes Wide Open" is not a war protest, says Claire Ryder, 48, a Denver residential real estate appraiser. It simply highlights, she explained, the tragic human cost of war.

"It is a memorial," she said. "If you are for or against the war, you still honor the dead. We make no statement here. The shoes speak."

Maybe 100 people in all walked through the boots, including some who stopped to yell at Claire Ryder, calling her a "dirty hippie," to tell her she and her "protest stinks."

"People with Christian symbols on their cars and their children inside them will drive past and flip us the bird," she said. "It happens all the time. It's not real Christian behavior."

It is the fourth "Eyes Wide Open" exhibit she has organized. The next one is scheduled for Memorial Day in Longmont.

It is what Claire Ryder does between appraisals. She is, by her accounting, a devoted peace activist and activist, period. I first met her several months ago at a court appearance related to her arrest at the Columbus Day parade last October.

Lugging around and displaying the boots is an outgrowth, she says, of watching through her elementary school classroom window in Guam as trucks hauled bombs to B-52s that would be dropped on Hanoi.

"I later went to the museum in Hiroshima, and that was it," Claire Ryder said. "I started speaking out."

A friend keeps the boots in large, rugged boxes in her garage, most of them paid for by the American Friends Services Committee, a Quaker organization. Several pairs were donated by veterans who'd returned from Iraq and were moved by the exhibit.

The "Iraqi" shoes were donated by friends and others. Occasionally, Claire Ryder said, she will stop at thrift stores on their 50 percent off sale days and pick up a dozen or so.

"I do spend a lot of my own money on this, but only because I think it is important. If I actually added it up, I'm thinking my husband would divorce me."

She hauled the boots out again on Monday as a way to commemorate the 4,000th U.S. combat death in Iraq.

"The boots and the shoes," she said, "makes it more real, I think. It tells people that these were people, too, the soldiers and the civilians, that they were once human beings."

Is the message reaching people?

Claire Ryder looked at the mostly empty library square. "I've been doing this a long time, and I will say I have seen people I've never seen before."

The point, she said, is to get people to care enough to speak out, to hold a vigil, even to put a sign in their yard. If she reaches one additional person, she said, it is all worth it.

"The danger is in not doing anything," she said. "If we all sit mute, the war will just keep going on."

Of the light turnout, she says, "Sure it's discouraging. But does it stop me? No.

"Once you regroup - doing this does take an emotional toll - it just makes you try that much harder. Sometimes, you want to rest, to put it all away. But you can't.

"I've got to keep going," Claire Ryder said. "If we don't do it, who will?"

Colorado Vigils to Commemorate 4,000 Killed

Four thousands GIs have been killed in Iraq as of today; over 29,000 wounded ... and countless, countless innocent Iraqis killed and maimed. In Colorado, you can make a simple statement for peace in light of this horrible truth: join the peace vigils this evening in Denver and Boulder. This weekend, join the vigil in Arvada held every Saturday at noon at 52nd Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

Vigils this evening:

In commemoration the Colorado Eyes Wide Open exhibit will be assembled. The exhibit is shoes to represent the Iraqi deaths and a pair of boots for each US soldier, from Colorado, who died in Iraq. The location is the public space between the library and the art museum in downtown Denver. This is on 14th, just west of the City and County building, just past Bannock. Please assemble at 6:00 P.M., vigil to be held at 6:30 P.M.

Boulder from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Broadway and Canyon.

Link: Four U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Death Toll 4,000 | Reuters

The number of U.S. soldiers to die in Iraq has reached 4,000, the U.S. military said on Monday, just days after the fifth anniversary of a war that President George W. Bush says the United States is on track to win.

The U.S. military said in a statement four soldiers were killed late on Sunday when a roadside bomb, the biggest killer of American soldiers in Iraq, exploded near their vehicle in southern Baghdad. One soldier was wounded in the attack.

The deaths came on a day when the U.S.-protected "Green Zone", the government and diplomatic compound in central Baghdad, was hit by repeated rocket and mortar fire, part of an upsurge in violence in the capital and elsewhere.

The violence, in which dozens were killed, underscored the fragility of Iraq's security. There has been an increase in attacks since January, although U.S. military commanders say overall levels of violence are down 60 percent since last June. ...

... The 1,000th U.S. soldier to die was in September 2004, 18 months after the invasion and in the midst of a presidential election that returned Bush to office for a second term.

The toll climbed to 2,000 in October 2005 as Sunni Arab insurgents battled to oust the Baghdad government, and 3,000 in December 2006, before Bush unveiled a plan to send 30,000 more troops to Iraq to quell violence that has killed tens of thousands of Iraqis and displaced millions more.

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Colorado Citizens for Peace
Weekly Vigil
Every Saturday
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Intersection of Wadsworth Blvd. and 52nd Ave.
Arvada, Colorado

MAP

Denver Greens Approve Kinsey U.S. Senate Nomination

Denver Greens Monday evening (St. Patrick's Day) unanimously forwarded Bob Kinsey's candidacy for the U.S. Senate to the May 3, 2008, state convention.

Denver Greens gathered together with Arapahoe Greens at the Mercury Cafe. Twenty local Greens attended this important meeting. Following regular monthly business, the Denver Metro Green Coordinated Campaign Committee conducted public interviews of two candidates: Bob Kinsey of Denver seeking the open U.S. Senate seat, and Steven Childs who had expressed interest in running for U.S. House of Representative, District 7.

The candidates were given fifteen minutes to explain why they were running and take questions. According to Colorado Green Party bylaws, a candidate for office must be approved for forwarding to the state convention for ratification of their nomination by the local chapter in which they reside.

The campaign committee recommended that Mr. Kinsey's candidacy be approved and that Mr. Child's candidacy be declined.

Denver Greens then agreed officially to forward Bob Kinsey to the state convention and decided not to advance Steven Child's name.

The Green Party of Colorado nominating convention will be held Saturday, May 3, 2008 at Littleton Preparatory Charter School.

From left to right: Dan Sage; U.S. Senate candidate, Bob Kinsey; Scott Foreman.

U.S. Occupation of Iraq Enters Sixth Year

The Colorado state capitol building today was the location for a gathering commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Bush-ordered, unprovoked attack and invasion of Iraq. The U.S. military occupation of that sovereign nation now enters its sixth year.

On March 19, 2003, Bush with the approval of the Congress, ordered the start of the war against the Iraqi people on the basis of lies he told, claiming that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that the Iraqi government had a connection with al Qaida and the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington. Both assertions were demonstrably false even at the time, but the Bush propaganda in the wake of 9/11 provided the rationale for war.

Five hundred American patriots today joined to remind all Coloradoans of the massive death and destruction that has -- and still is - resulting from this illegal and immoral war and occupation.

Metro area Green Party members conducted voter registration at the event. The Green Party of the United States and Colorado have been opposed to the Iraq war from the beginning.

A large and colorful crowd of patriots for peace.

Greens tabling at the anniversary event.
From left to right: Tom Kelly, Tony D'Lallo, Adam Taylor, Brandon Mapes and Stacia Taylor.

Scott Zulauf and Kevin Alumbaugh with the Party banner.

Randy Richter and Dave Chandler.

A message to politicans supporting the occupation.

Event organizer and Denver Greens chair, Claire Ryder.

Candidate for the Colorado Green Party nomination to the U.S. Senate, Bob Kinsey.

Earth Day Musicfest 2008

In celebration of Earth Day, the Green Party of Colorado again holds an inspiring and fun day of live music.

Mark your calendar to attend!

If you would like to help promote this event that benefits the Green Party, contact Scott Zulauf or Kevin Alumbaugh.

Download the poster here and distribute widely!
Earth Day Musicfest 2nd Annual Poster.pdf

Earth Day Musicfest
April 19, 2008
Doors Open at 3:00 P.M.
Quixote's
2637 Welton Street
Denver, Colorado
MAP
$10.00 Cover

Colorado Greens Volunteer for KGNU

Today Colorado Greens volunteered to answer pledge phones for radio station KGNU's Spring Membership Drive.

You too can lend your financial assistance to this innovative, progressive, community radio station:
Donate Now!

Tony D'Lallo and Claire Ryder ... actually answering a telephone.

Dave Chandler

KGNU volunteer Josh and our own Kevin Alumbaugh.

Adams-Jeffco Greens Approve Candidates

The Adams-Jefferson Green Party last night officially forwarded two candidates to the party's May 3 state convention for nomination.

Scott Zulauf, candidate for Jefferson County Commissioner, District 2, and Tony D'Lallo, running for State House District 34, were approved unanimously by consensus by the members attending Thursday evening's monthly local group meeting.

Preceding Zulauf's and D'Lallo's approval, the Metro Denver Greens Coordinated Campaign Committee conducted a public interview of all interested candidates. All of the candidates were given fifteen minutes or more to explain why they were running and take questions. The campaign committee then made a recommendation for approval of the two candidates to the Adams-Jeffco Greens meeting.

According to Colorado Green Party bylaws, a candidate for office must be approved for forwarding to the state convention for ratification of their nomination by the local chapter in which they reside.

Metro Denver Greens Coordinated Campaign Committee. From left to right, Dave Chandler,
Scott Zulauf, Clarie Ryder, Tom Kelly and Jarl Anderson (not pictured, Tony D'Lallo)

Also seeking approval from Adams-Jeffco Greens was Mr. Buddy Moore of Wheat Ridge, who had announced his desire to run for the United States Senate.

Mr. Moore was not recommended for approval by the Coordinated Campaign Committee because his recent voter registration with the Democratic Party was adjudged by the committee to make him ineligible for a Green Party nomination under Colorado state law. Moore had made known that he only changed his registration from Democrat to Green in early February 2008.

The Adams-Jefferson Greens by consensus chose not to forward Moore's candidacy to the state convention.

The following correspondence between Colorado Green Party Co-Chair Dave Chandler and the Colorado Secretary of State's office was the basis upon which Mr. Moore's request for consideration of his candidacy for U.S. Senate was deemed inadvisable.

It should also be noted that a Green Party local or the Colorado Green Party state nominating convention may chose not to forward, ratify or nominate a candidate for elective office for any reason -- that in its judgment -- is not in the best interests of the party.

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February 14, 2008

From: Dave Chandler
Co-Chair, Green Party of Colorado

To: Ms. Kathryn Mikeworth

I am writing to receive from the Colorado Secretary of State's office, clarification on the meaning of CRS 1-4-1304(2)(c):

(2) Nominations by a minor political party, to be valid, shall be made in accordance with the party's constitution or bylaws. No nomination under this section shall be valid for any general election held after January 1, 1999, unless the nominee: ...

(c) Has not been registered as a member of a major political party for at least twelve months prior to the date of nomination unless otherwise provided in the constitution or bylaws of the minor political party.

My interpretation from reading this language would be that a potential nominee for the Colorado Green Party in 2008, must have not been a registered Republican or Democrat for at least twelve months before the date of our nominating convention this year -- unless our bylaws had already been altered to modify that length of time (which they have not). That means a prospective Green 2008 nominee must have been registered as a member of a minor party or as unaffiliated for the past year from the date of our scheduled May 3 convention.

In addition, I would appreciate confirmation regarding CRS 1-4-1304(2)(b):

(b) Has been affiliated for a period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of nomination with the minor political party that is making the nomination as shown in the registration books of the county clerk and recorder unless otherwise provided in the constitution or bylaws of the minor political party;

Our Green Party of Colorado bylaws do already say that a nominee "must be registered with the Green Party for at least six months before the general election or for two months prior to the Green Party of Colorado nominating convention, whichever is earlier, in order to be eligible for nomination."

Therefore, am I correct in understanding that these provisions of the law mean that a Green Party nominee in 2008 must not have been a Republican or Democrat for the past twelve months from the date of our May 3 convention, but must at least be a registered member of the Green Party of Colorado for the length of time our bylaws stipulate, in order to be eligible for nomination?

I appreciate your assistance in helping us to understand the meaning of the current election laws as they regard candidate nominations for minor political parties.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Dave Chandler
Co-Chair
Green Party of Colorado

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Mr. Chandler,

I agree with your interpretation of section 1-4-1304(2)(b) and (2)(c), C.R.S. In both cases, the statute creates affiliation requirements for minor political party candidates. Additionally, this same statute allows for the minor political party to adjust the affiliation requirements by changing their minor party bylaws. In cases where the party bylaws have not been amended, the statutory requirement must be followed.

Therefore, in regards to section 1-4-1304(2)(c), C.R.S., a candidate must not have been registered with a major party for at least 12 months before the date of nomination if no party bylaws are in place that provide otherwise. [Emphasis added]

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you,

Kathryn Mikeworth
Colorado Secretary of State
Elections Division
1700 Broadway, Suite 270
Denver, CO 80290

D'Lallo Announces for HD 34

Tony D'Lallo has announced his candidacy to seek the Green Party's nomination to run for the Colorado legislature from House District 34.

On Wednesday evening, February 27, 2008, at the Northglenn Library, Tony spoke before approximately fifteen supporters. D'Lallo, a public school teacher, vowed to work for reforms in education and for aggressive measures to promote renewable energy sources.

Besides his many activities in the Thornton community, Tony has been a dedicated volunteer for the Green Party of Colorado for several years and currently serves as chairperson of the Adams-Jefferson chapter.

To help Tony out in his quest to bring honest, principled representation to the Colorado State House, contact him at antoniodlallo@comcast.net or 303-428-6677.