About us

Colorado 50-50 is a nonpartisan, educational group formed in the spring of 2017 by a circle of women in Fort Collins, Colorado. We believe office-holders – whether elected or appointed – should more closely reflect the population. In other words, since women make up more than 50% of the population, then women should hold at least 50% of the seats. Fifty-fifty, fair and square.

Of course, this is rarely the case. Research shows that the number of women in municipal office hovers around 30%. When we started, the Fort Collins City Council had one woman out of seven council members and the Larimer County Commission was 100% male. Happily, that changed and now there is a 6-1 majority female council and a 2-1 majority female commission. Local school boards and our Colorado Legislature are typically more gender-balanced, but Colorado has never had a woman governor or a woman U.S. senator.

We’re here to change that. We’re encouraging and training women to run for office. We’re encouraging women to apply for boards and commissions.

The promise of our representative democracy will never be fulfilled until our office-holders truly reflect the people they represent. Onward!

 

Our values

Nonpartisan

Colorado 50-50 seeks to be receptive to people regardless of party – not supporting the interests and policies of any single party, but rather uplifting a multitude of voices advocating for gender parity and equity.

Democracy

Colorado 50-50 believes in democratic values where citizens can actively participate in politics and civic life, and institutions with checks and balances. Colorado 50-50 aims to strengthen civic engagement by facilitating discussions so people feel empowered to participate in politics through exercising their right to vote, running for office, or supporting a candidate.  

Voting

Colorado 50-50 believes in the right for all eligible Americans to engage in their Constitutional right to vote for elected officials and on the issues important to them. 

Endorsements

Colorado 50-50 does not endorse candidates, but seeks to raise awareness about a variety of women candidates.

Nonviolence

Colorado 50-50 does not support violence in any form, whether that is through its promotion or the act itself.

Intersectionality

We believe we are strengthened by all diversity. While we are focused on gender parity, we recognize the idea of intersectionality, that social identities – such as gender, race, and class – are intertwined leading to everyone having their own unique experiences of power and oppression. We challenge our assumptions and practices so that we learn from current and historical injustices to grow and become more effective.