Colorado Archives

Jun 29, 2020

Thom Hartmann Program: State Law Benefits Corporations Against You – You Lose

Chad Nicholson joins Thom Hartmann to discuss how the 1% are effectively, suing the 99% for their own benefit, citing the findings of our June 2020 Report.

Read More | Corporate 'Rights', News from the Grassroots

Apr 22, 2020

Common Dreams: Abolish Earth Day

For 50 years, environmentalists have celebrated the illusion that the law is on their side. Earth Day’s laws have systematically failed to guard against mass species die-offs, the climate crisis, deadly air pollution, the corporatization of freshwater, and the largest loss of biodiversity in human history.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 20, 2020

50 Years of Earth Day – What Are We Celebrating?

This year CELDF will be hosting an online Q&A with organizers who have been engaging communities across the country in paradigm-shifting work for decades.

Read More | Community Wires, Events, News from the Grassroots

Mar 17, 2020

Community Stories: Claiming the Law

Bryan Twitchell shares a guest blog about the Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s ongoing resistance to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia, Canada.

Read More | Blogs, Community Wires, News

Feb 5, 2020

VIDEO: ‘The Transformation from Reformist to Revolutionary’

This 6 minute short explains how, across numerous social issues—from housing, worker rights, environmental protection to gentrification—“the people in the community lack the legal authority to determine their own future, a basic tenet of democracy.”

Dec 5, 2019

Blog: A Fundamentally Humanizing Agenda

The current administration wants a crackdown on people experiencing homelessness. It’s time, instead, for a humanizing agenda, such as that advanced by Denver residents this year.

Blog: A Right to Survive is Born in Denver

Wealthy interests seeking to crush human rights in Denver, Colorado, out raised local supporters of the Denver “Right to Survive” initiative 23:1. This is the story of a fight for human rights that cannot be trampled by corporate hegemony.

Read More | Blogs, Community Wires, News

May 20, 2019

KGNU: Who Paid to Defeat Initiative 300?

An interview with CELDF’s Ben Price on Denver’s Right to Survive ordinance, and the $2.3 million spent by industries to defeat it.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 8, 2019

Media Statement: A Human Right to Survive is Born in Denver

“This idea of a real human right to survive in the 21st century … was born – through the determination and commitment of the people who live [in Denver].”

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Oct 3, 2018

Press Release: “Right to Survive” Ballot Measure Petitions Submitted in Denver

Denver, CO, residents advance “Right to Survive” bill of rights for homeless people, turning in petitions for the May 2019 ballot.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Jun 21, 2018

Daily Camera: After protest derails meeting, Lafayette says it will still vote on new drilling regs next month

Lafayette, CO, City Council attempts to move forward with legalizing fracking while residents plan next steps to protect the community.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 20, 2018

Lafayette, CO, Residents Shut Down City Council Meeting

A right to a healthy climate is preserved in Lafayette, CO, as community members overtake a City Council meeting.

Jun 20, 2018

$Denver7: Anti-fracking protesters shut down LaFayette council meeting$

Denver7: Anti-fracking protesters shut down LaFayette council meeting

As community members in Lafayette, CO, demand their City Council stand by the City’s Climate Bill of Rights, they force the council meeting to adjourn. Council members were attempting to legalize drilling.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 20, 2018

$Daily Camera: Anti-fracking protest forces Lafayette City Council to adjourn early, suspend vote on new drilling rules$

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking protest forces Lafayette City Council to adjourn early, suspend vote on new drilling rules

Lafayette, CO, residents shut down City Council, protecting their Climate Bill of Rights as council members attempt to legalize fracking.

Apr 30, 2018

5280 Denver’s Mile High Magazine: Colorado Sits at the Center of the Rights of Nature Debate

Rights of Nature builds momentum in Colorado – from efforts to advance rights for the Colorado River, to rights for Boulder County’s forests and grasslands.

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking group’s attorney sends letter to Lafayette over possible legal action

Lafayette, CO, residents are unrelenting in their determination to protect their community from fracking harms. At City Council, they insist on enforcement of their Climate Bill of Rights and urge adoption of a non-violent direct action amendment.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 19, 2018

$Daily Camera: Lafayette may again consider legalizing anti-fracking civil disobedience$

Daily Camera: Lafayette may again consider legalizing anti-fracking civil disobedience

Community members in Lafayette, CO, rally behind an amendment to their Climate Bill of Rights that would legalize non-violent civil disobedience if necessary to stop fracking harms.

Mar 5, 2018

Daily Camera: Lafayette’s oil, gas forum ‘day one in the real resistance,’ activists say

CELDF’s Thomas Linzey speaks to an overflowing crowd in Lafayette, CO, on defending their Climate Bill of Rights. The City’s ordinance bans fracking as a violation of rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 3, 2018

$Daily Camera: Lafayette to meet with legal fund on fracking ban defense, over counsel’s concerns$

Daily Camera: Lafayette to meet with legal fund on fracking ban defense, over counsel’s concerns

Lafayette, CO, city council looks to defend its Right to Climate ordinance banning fracking activities, holding an open forum with CELDF on strategies to do so.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 7, 2017

San Diego Free Press: Time to Escalate? First-Ever Rights of Nature Lawsuit Dismissed

Will Falk, as a “next friend” in the recently dismissed Colorado River v. State of Colorado lawsuit, examines the reality of our legal system – designed to protect property, not people or nature.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 2, 2017

Post Independent: State files again to dismiss Colorado River ‘personhood’ lawsuit, threatens to sanction lawyer

The Colorado AG wants to shut down the rights of nature case, Colorado River v. State of Colorado. Supporters know the case is part of a growing movement to protect ecosystems by recognizing their rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 30, 2017

Summit Daily: Attorney in Colorado River lawsuit refuses to withdraw suit despite threats of sanctions from state

As climate change accelerates unabated, growing numbers of people and communities are advancing Rights of Nature in court. In Colorado, the Attorney General uses threat of sanctions to shut it down.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 29, 2017

Courthouse News: Attorney Rebuffs Colorado’s Threat of Sanctions in River Case

Jason Flores-Williams is arguing for the rights of the Colorado River in federal court and now faces sanctions for doing so. He is unflinching in his response.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 18, 2017

Post Independent: Supporters rally to give Colorado River rights

Supporters of the federal lawsuit to recognize rights of the Colorado River look ahead to build momentum for the broader recognition of the rights of nature.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Nov 10, 2017

Truthout: “Nature Has Rights”: Activists Call for a Legal Transformation

There is a growing global movement of activists and attorneys who are forging a new kind of environmental law by proclaiming the legal “rights of nature.”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 19, 2017

KUNC: Is A Personhood Lawsuit The Best Way To Save The Colorado River?

An over-burdened Colorado River ecosystem files a first-in-the-nation lawsuit to have its rights recognized at a time of growing ecological crisis.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 18, 2017

NPQ: The Colorado River Has Its Own Lawyer Now

A lawsuit to recognize the rights of the Colorado River to exist, flourish, and evolve, is the next step in the growing Rights of Nature movement.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Oct 13, 2017

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

The Current interviews attorney Jason Flores-Williams on his work with Deep Green Resistance to recognize the rights of the Colorado River. DGR filed a federal lawsuit filed last month.

Sep 28, 2017

Boulder Weekly: Rights of nature lawsuit seeks personhood for the Colorado River

In a groundbreaking lawsuit, the rights of nature is used as a new legal paradigm to protect the Colorado River.

Sep 28, 2017

Daily Camera: Lisa Flynn: Take Back Local Government

Longmont, CO, resident calls out state government sacrificing communities for corporate fracking interests. CELDF offers action for residents to protect themselves.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 26, 2017

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

Today, the Colorado River files in federal court for recognition of its rights to exist and flourish, as global warming and human consumption threaten its very survival.

Sep 26, 2017

New York Times: Corporations have rights. Why Not Rivers?

A federal lawsuit asserting the rights of the Colorado River challenges conventional legal doctrines in the U.S.

Sep 25, 2017

San Diego Free Press: Why Does the Colorado River Need to Sue For Rights?

Without rights, the Colorado River is merely an object for human exploitation, rather than recognized as the living ecosystem it is, and wholly necessary to sustain life

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Sep 8, 2017

$Daily Camera: LTE: Confront oil industry directly on fracking$

Daily Camera: LTE: Confront oil industry directly on fracking

Facing environmental devastation from fracking, Boulder County, CO, residents make it clear: It’s time for the people to use community rights and decide what happens in the places where they live.

Daily Camera: LTE: Demand county take action

Boulder County, CO, resident calls for people to stand up to protect themselves from oil and gas industry by driving into law a Community Bill of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 10, 2017

$Daily Camera Opinion: John C. Lamb: Democrats not helping in battle against fracking$

Daily Camera Opinion: John C. Lamb: Democrats not helping in battle against fracking

Don’t be fooled – the Democratic Party is as supportive of oil and gas as the Republican Party. The answer isn’t in our party electeds, but in ourselves. It’s time to take action and govern ourselves in the places where we live.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 11, 2017

Daily Camera: Opinion: Boulder Co commissioners don’t have answers – but residents do

Cliff Wilmeng calls for Boulder County, CO, commissioners to stop politicking and start protecting; stop colluding by doing nothing and start acting courageously by enacting community rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 5, 2017

PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado

Lafayette, CO, is the first community in the state to adopt a right to climate ordinance, recognizing the right of residents to a healthy climate.

Apr 3, 2017

Blog: Colorado Fracking “Win:” Redefining Victory

Colorado youth gained a win with the recent Court of Appeals decision regarding the COGCC and fracking permits. But how far does that win go?

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Feb 8, 2017

$Daily Camera: Lafayette leaders, Standing Rock members voice support for anti-fracking proposal$

Daily Camera: Lafayette leaders, Standing Rock members voice support for anti-fracking proposal

Lafayette, CO, residents and Standing Rock members call for local action as Lafayette advances a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 19, 2017

Boulder Weekly: Lafayette Council considers legalizing direct action to protect environment

The state of Colorado refuses to recognize residents’ right to protect themselves from fracking. But Lafayette City Council considers a Right to Climate ordinance legalizing nonviolent direct action to protect residents – and residents came out in droves to support the local law.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 18, 2017

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette’s Climate Change Bill of Rights: A small town grapples with a big idea

An overwhelming number of Lafayette, CO, residents attend a City Council meeting to urge support for a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections that legalizes non-violent civil disobedience.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 17, 2017

$KDV1 Fox 31 Denver: Proposed ordinance sparks fracking debate in Lafayette$

KDV1 Fox 31 Denver: Proposed ordinance sparks fracking debate in Lafayette

Lafayette and other Colorado residents come out in force to support a Climate Bill of Rights ordinance that bans fracking.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 16, 2017

Daily Camera: Merrily Mazza: Why we need a Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights

Lafaytte, CO, City Councilwoman Merrily Mazza co-sponsors the Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights and Protections, calling for nonviolent civil disobedience to end unjust laws under the corporate state.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jan 5, 2017

$Daily Camera: Lafayette considers legalizing civil disobedience against fracking operations$

Daily Camera: Lafayette considers legalizing civil disobedience against fracking operations

City Council in Lafayette, CO, advances a Climate Bill of Rights and Protections ordinance that legalizes nonviolent direct action to protect against oil and gas drilling.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Dec 29, 2016

PR: Lafayette, CO, Residents Introduce Climate Bill of Rights and Protections

Lafayette, CO, residents introduce a law codifying the right to a healthy climate, and protecting and enforcing that right through non-violent direct action.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Nov 4, 2016

The Investigative Fund: Big Oil and Gas Take Aim at Ballot Initiative Process in Colorado

In Colorado and Ohio, the oil and gas industry maneuvers to keep citizen initiatives threatening fracking off the ballot. In Colorado, the industry has advanced a measure to make future initiatives even more difficult for residents to move forward.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 2, 2016

Fusion: This environmental nightmare is ‘raping’ towns, and citizens have one last chance to stop it

As fracking sweeps the nation, communities are using local initiatives to protect themselves – while industry spews propaganda and spends huge sums to stop them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Aug 1, 2016

Yes! Magazine: Two Towns Battle Colorado for Freedom to Ban Fracking

Growing numbers of communities are joining together to move Community Rights to the state level–not just to protect against fracking, but myriad other harms facing We the People in Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, and beyond.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 25, 2016

In These Times: Colorado Community Rights Amendment Builds Largest Campaign to Date, But Falls Short of 2016 Ballot

Coloradans advancing the Colorado Community Rights Amendment set sites on 2018 for the state ballot, and commit to building Community Rights at the local, state, and national levels.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Announcing CELDF's Proposed Rights of Nature Principles

Sneak Peek! -- End of Year Newsletter 2022: We are Nature

Book: ‘Death by Democracy’

Thom Hartmann Program: State Law Benefits Corporations Against You – You Lose

Common Dreams: Abolish Earth Day

50 Years of Earth Day – What Are We Celebrating?

Community Stories: Claiming the Law

VIDEO: ‘The Transformation from Reformist to Revolutionary’

Blog: A Fundamentally Humanizing Agenda

Blog: A Right to Survive is Born in Denver

KGNU: Who Paid to Defeat Initiative 300?

Media Statement: A Human Right to Survive is Born in Denver

Press Release: “Right to Survive” Ballot Measure Petitions Submitted in Denver

Daily Camera: After protest derails meeting, Lafayette says it will still vote on new drilling regs next month

Lafayette, CO, Residents Shut Down City Council Meeting

Denver7: Anti-fracking protesters shut down LaFayette council meeting

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking protest forces Lafayette City Council to adjourn early, suspend vote on new drilling rules

5280 Denver’s Mile High Magazine: Colorado Sits at the Center of the Rights of Nature Debate

Daily Camera: Anti-fracking group’s attorney sends letter to Lafayette over possible legal action

Daily Camera: Lafayette may again consider legalizing anti-fracking civil disobedience

Daily Camera: Lafayette’s oil, gas forum ‘day one in the real resistance,’ activists say

Daily Camera: Lafayette to meet with legal fund on fracking ban defense, over counsel’s concerns

San Diego Free Press: Time to Escalate? First-Ever Rights of Nature Lawsuit Dismissed

Post Independent: State files again to dismiss Colorado River ‘personhood’ lawsuit, threatens to sanction lawyer

Summit Daily: Attorney in Colorado River lawsuit refuses to withdraw suit despite threats of sanctions from state

Courthouse News: Attorney Rebuffs Colorado’s Threat of Sanctions in River Case

Post Independent: Supporters rally to give Colorado River rights

Truthout: “Nature Has Rights”: Activists Call for a Legal Transformation

KUNC: Is A Personhood Lawsuit The Best Way To Save The Colorado River?

NPQ: The Colorado River Has Its Own Lawyer Now

CBC Radio’s The Current: Colorado River should have same legal status as a person: lawsuit

Boulder Weekly: Rights of nature lawsuit seeks personhood for the Colorado River

Daily Camera: Lisa Flynn: Take Back Local Government

Seeker: Lawsuit Seeks Legal Rights for the Colorado River

New York Times: Corporations have rights. Why Not Rivers?

San Diego Free Press: Why Does the Colorado River Need to Sue For Rights?

Daily Camera: LTE: Confront oil industry directly on fracking

Daily Camera: LTE: Demand county take action

Daily Camera Opinion: John C. Lamb: Democrats not helping in battle against fracking

Daily Camera: Opinion: Boulder Co commissioners don’t have answers – but residents do

PR: First Right to Climate Law Passes in Colorado

Blog: Colorado Fracking “Win:” Redefining Victory

Daily Camera: Lafayette leaders, Standing Rock members voice support for anti-fracking proposal

Boulder Weekly: Lafayette Council considers legalizing direct action to protect environment

The Colorado Independent: Lafayette’s Climate Change Bill of Rights: A small town grapples with a big idea

KDV1 Fox 31 Denver: Proposed ordinance sparks fracking debate in Lafayette

Daily Camera: Merrily Mazza: Why we need a Lafayette Climate Bill of Rights

Daily Camera: Lafayette considers legalizing civil disobedience against fracking operations

PR: Lafayette, CO, Residents Introduce Climate Bill of Rights and Protections

The Investigative Fund: Big Oil and Gas Take Aim at Ballot Initiative Process in Colorado

Fusion: This environmental nightmare is ‘raping’ towns, and citizens have one last chance to stop it

Yes! Magazine: Two Towns Battle Colorado for Freedom to Ban Fracking

In These Times: Colorado Community Rights Amendment Builds Largest Campaign to Date, But Falls Short of 2016 Ballot

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