Voces Unidas is traveling to the nation’s capital to lead a coalition of 32 leaders from communities across the state at the Second Annual Latino Advocacy Day (LAD) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 13-16.
Latino and Latina leaders from Fort Collins, Greeley, Denver, Steamboat, Leadville, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Montrose and from organizations like Voces Unidas de las Montañas, Voces Unidas Action Fund, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity & Reproductive Rights (COLOR), COLOR Action Fund, Servicios de la Raza, Latino Coalition of Weld County, Hispanic Affairs Project, Latinx Alliance, and Integrated Communities will spend four days of networking and advocacy, built around our 2022 Colorado Latino Policy Agenda.
Leaders will have the opportunity to participate in a gathering of Latino advocates from around the nation at the two-day UnidosUS Changemakers Summit designed to teach effective policy advocacy and help further their leadership journey.
More importantly, leaders will meet in-person with Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and other members of Congress in their D.C. offices to advocate on issues critical to our communities.
Our four primary focus areas for policy discussion will include:
- Immigration
- Climate/Enviromental Justice
- Housing and the Economy
- Health and Reproductive Justice
The LAD trip will be the first visit to the nation’s capital for many participants, so touring landmarks and museums will also play a big part in the itinerary. Leaders will have a chance to tour the White House and join congressional staffers for a tour of the U.S. Capitol building before returning to Colorado.
Now in its second year, the D.C. trip to advocate for federal policies has become an important part of our annual LAD efforts, followed by the 17th annual Denver LAD scheduled for March 18-20, and a trip to Mexico City for the Civic Leaders Education and Advocacy Program on July 3-8. Events like these — whether held in D.C., Denver or at the local level — are critical points of entry for doing our civic duty in advocating for policies, gaining a sense of ownership in the process, and understanding the role we all play in democracy.