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Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.


Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

LWVPPR Annual Meeting

Saturday, April 6

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Rockrimmon Library

832 Village Center Dr

Colorado Springs, CO

Registration is open!

Members: watch your email for the "Call to Annual Meeting!"



Love the League 2024 Honors Women Who Make a Difference!

LTL_2024_Honorees.jpeg
Ten Love the League 2024 honorees were celebrated at LWVPPR's Love the League event on Sunday, February 18 at the Antlers Double Tree hotel. In the photo at left (left to right) are honorees Shelley Jensen, Jennifer Smith, Julie Ott, Arlene Vigil Kramer, Lindy Conter, Deputy Chief Mary Rosenoff, and Debbie Howell. Honoree Dr. Temple Grandin is not pictured as she was not able to attend in person. LWVUS President Deborah Turner was recognized in memoriam.

Tune in to our Making Democracy Work podcast to hear from Love the League 2024 honorees!

Thus far, OneBody ENT co-founder and director Jennifer SmithDeputy Chief Mary Rosenoff and Lindy Conter have completed interviews with LWVPPR Spokesperson Shelly Roehrs. You can also tune in for the podcast from Love the League itself. Additional interviews are coming this week, starting with Dr. Temple Grandin, and more will follow - watch our Studio809 page for updates. We're grateful for the support from Studio809's Dave Gardner for helping us make these podcasts a reality.


Think before you ink!


LWV-Colorado's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) has reviewed the initiatives and suggests signing only one petition at this time. Please review the LAC's write up on each to learn more about their recommendations. With enough signatures from across the state, these questions could end up on our November 2024 ballot.

PLEASE SIGN 2024 Ballot Initiative #89 Right to Abortion

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN 2024 Ballot Initiative #21 Limitation on Property Tax Increase

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN 2024 Ballot Initiative #77 Economic Impact Statement

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN 2024 Ballot Initiative #81 Protections for a Living Child

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN 2024 Ballot Initiative #85 and #86 Consumer Choice in Energy


Why should Gen Z vote in local elections?




Congratulations to Caitlin McCrady for her Gen Z video contest winning entry! 

Watch and share the video!



Election_Law_Clinic_at_Harvard_Law_School_Files_Lawsuit_on_Behalf_of_Civic_Engagement_Organizations_Challenging_the_Timing_of_Off-Cycle_Municipal_Elections_in_Colorado_Springs.png

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the Election Law Clinic at Harvard Law School filed suit on behalf of Citizens Project, Colorado Latinos Vote, the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region and the Black/Latino Leadership Coalition, challenging the City of Colorado Springs' choice to hold elections for City Council and Mayor in April of odd-numbered years. Our lawsuit calls for City Council elections to be held in November.

 

We filed a lawsuit because we believe the timing of our municipal elections violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act is designed to allow people to challenge election policies that discriminate - intentionally or not - against minority communities. Throughout history, non-white residents of Colorado Springs have been excluded from the political process through discriminatory voting schemes. The impact of that is still felt today. Non-white community members experience greater rates of poverty, police brutality and vast education disparities. In part because of these factors, the voter turnout of non-white voters in Colorado Springs is lower across all city, state and federal elections. This difference in voter participation is known as a "racial disparity".

 

Colorado Springs' April municipal election timing impacts non-white voter turnout far more than it impacts white voter turnout and poses a discriminatory burden on people of color. Election practices that pose a discriminatory burden to people of color are prohibited by the Voting Rights Act even if the City Council had no intention of discriminating. Non-white, registered voters are only half as likely as white registered voters to vote in the April election. This turnout gap closes dramatically for November elections.

 

The practice of holding elections in April leads to a government that is less accountable to communities of color, who are far underrepresented in City government. Over the last decade, more than 90% of the successful candidates for City Council and Mayor were white. Not a single Hispanic or Black resident has prevailed in at-large City Council elections. By depressing minority turnout, the odd timing of elections makes it harder for minority communities to elect candidates that are responsive to their needs.

 

There is no good reason for Colorado Springs to hold elections in April. Only 3 of the 25 most populous Colorado cities hold elections in April; the vast majority hold elections in November. Holding elections in April saves the city no time, money or work. For groups like ours, by moving spring elections to the fall, our volunteer time and work can be better focused on November elections. 

 

At the end of the day, we want the Court to prevent Colorado Springs from holding non-November elections in the future. Holding elections in November will Make Democracy Work better for everyone in Colorado Springs. It will make a City government more responsive to everyone and especially the communities who have been shut out in the past.

 

We have posted the lawsuit on our website under Documents so please take a look when you have a moment. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

 

Thank you for your support and dedication!!

 

Sincerely,

Shelly Roehrs, Spokesperson

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

LWVPPR and fellow plaintiffs in the election timing lawsuit against Colorado Springs have an OpEd further addressing the issues with election timing. Check it out here!

Check out our informative Election Timing Handout to learn more about Colorado Springs' voter turnout, read answers to some "frequently asked questions," and get a brief description of why four organizations are suing the city about election timing.



Celebrating & Honoring Women,

The Right to Vote

& The Continued Path To Equity!

Learn About League's

Mural Wallscape Project


Check out at Women's Equity Mural at William J. Palmer High School


301 N. Nevada in Downtown Colorado Springs


Take a picture with the Mural and tag us using:


#LWVPPR





LWV Empowers Voters

League of Women Voters emphasizes the   power of the voter to create a moreperfect democracy.

LWV Advocates

League encourages active participation in democracy, whether it's in the office of an elected representative or at a rally.
Voter Education Crowd

LWV Educates

League informs voters about the issues and candidates on their ballot. Visit VOTE411.org, LWV's online voter guide.







League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region is a 501(c)(3) organization.