UPDATE: Western Colorado Alliance’s Response to COVID 19: WE ARE HERE AND WE ARE ORGANIZING!
Over the past week, the world has changed dramatically, and like all of you, our staff and leaders have been adjusting to the daily changes that are affecting every aspect of our lives. As we enter the era of social distancing, many people in our organization are wondering how Western Colorado Alliance will move forward in this time of uncertainty. How do we effectively organize a community and move people towards collective action when we can’t meet in person?
The answer is: We can! We will evolve and adjust our strategies to stay in touch with all of you to make sure our collective voice is heard in the decisions that impact our lives. In moments of crisis, an organized community is critical. We must move forward and continue to work toward the healthy, just, and self-reliant communities we all want and need. Especially now!
So, although we are now closing the Western Colorado Alliance office and suspending all staff travel, we want you to know that we are here for you. We will continue our work and keep you informed of what is happening in Western Colorado, both in response to COVID 19 and the issues we all care about. In this way, we can all stay connected and organized.
To help protect the health of our members and our communities, Western Colorado Alliance has postponed all events for the near future. We’ll be following directions from the Center for Disease Control and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment for when it is safe to host in-person gatherings again.
In the meantime, we will be adapting and hosting events online! From committee and affiliate group meetings to video issue study sessions and rulemaking webinars, we will be creating virtual places where we can come together to continue our work. Stay tuned!
Together we will get through this. Sending you all health and solidarity.
Emily stepped up as our staff director in 2017, but originally joined our team as a community organizer in 2013. Born and raised on the Western Slope, Emily graduated from Colorado State University and then had the privilege of learning from and working alongside organizers in Central and South America as well as Appalachian coal country. They returned to their home state to protect the land they love and work with fellow Coloradans for a healthy, just and self-reliant future for our rural communities. Emily enjoys organizing, exploring the Colorado Plateau, country music and punk concerts with equal passion.