By ACLU of Colorado Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley
Right now in Denver, people experiencing homelessness face a cruel trap: they can’t sleep on private property because that’s trespassing, and they can’t sleep on public property because of the Denver camping ban and other ordinances that criminalize homelessness.
So where are they supposed to go?
The ACLU of Colorado supports Denver Initiative 300, on the ballot May 7, because it ends the Denver camping ban and breaks the cycle of criminalizing homelessness. The initiative was created by people directly impacted by homelessness, who understand the vicious cycle of our current system all too well.
Solutions to homelessness will require extensive investment in affordable housing, job opportunities, accessibility and a range of public services, but as long as the city, police and some of our businesses believe the evidence of homelessness can be hidden, or swept away by policing and criminalization, there will never be enough money or will to adequately address the real issues.
Yes, shelters are sometimes an option, but there are not nearly enough shelter beds for the homeless population in Denver, and there are many people for whom shelters are not an option, due to shelter restrictions, location relative to place of employment, pets, possessions, physical or mental health issues, lack of transportation, accessibility — the list goes on and on.
Extensive city resources are used to conduct sweeps by police to ticket or arrest people experiencing homelessness, or to wake people up in the middle of the night and tell them to “move along.”
But the question always remains — move along to where?
The well-financed “Vote No on 300” campaign is using false and misleading scare tactics to paint an image of homelessness as out of control and encroaching everywhere, but the homeless population that would exist after the ordinance is the same one that exists now. Initiative 300 would not increase homelessness and many restrictions on where people can sleep would still remain. It would not allow criminal behavior either, but, it would block the city from giving you a criminal record if you ever needed to sleep in your own legally parked car.
Initiative 300 does not restrict the provision of services; it is the sweeps that occur now that push people further away from service providers and into other neighborhoods. It is the current criminalization of homelessness that creates barriers for people who want to offer a helping hand.
Passing Initiative 300 is necessary to start a real conversation that the city has avoided for far too long. It makes a statement that Denver must get serious about creating real solutions for our homeless neighbors rather than using our criminal legal system to displace and dehumanize them. Opponents of the initiative say, “We can do better,” but that is a naive slogan in a city where the camping ban remains on the books, where police were caught on video taking away blankets, and where donations for services were used to conduct police sweeps instead.
Opponents of Initiative 300 call it “inhumane,” “risky,” and “unworthy of our city.” But sweeping people like debris from place to place is what’s inhumane. Criminalizing people for needing rest is risky. And saying that more should be done, but not doing anything, is unworthy of a city known for its compassion and innovation.
We can do better, and it starts with recognizing that human beings shouldn’t lose their human rights just because they’ve lost their home. Making people invisible is not the right initiative. Passing 300 is a worthy start.
Originally published in the Denver Post on April 26, 2019. 

Denver Municipal Elections- Get-out-the-vote Phone Bank

Monday, 5/6

6 pm - 8 pm | Doors open at 5:30 pm | Training starts at 6 pm

ACLU of Colorado Offices: 303 E. 17th, Suite 250, Denver, 80218

RSVP HERE

Every vote counts. And so does every voter. Join the ACLU of Colorado and voting rights activists as we increase voter turnout by making phone calls and sending texts to voters. We'll encourage voters to turn in their ballots and to support Initiative 300, the Right to Survive ordinance. We'll provide you with training and you'll provide voters with all the information they need to exercise their right to vote. The ACLU is nonpartisan. Pizza served. Kids welcome. 

Email [email protected] with questions.
Vote like your rights depend on it!

Job Description:

Legal Assistant

Department: Legal Supervisor: Legal Director Classification: Full-Time Exempt

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a national public interest organization, is the country’s leading defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Colorado, an affiliate of the national ACLU, is the state’s guardian of freedom that works to promote and defend the civil liberties of all persons in Colorado. To achieve our mission, we manage legal, legislative, and public education programs on a broad range of constitutional rights and civil liberties issues, including discrimination, free speech, religious freedom, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, criminal justice, immigrants’ rights, economic justice and privacy.  Founded in 1952, the ACLU of Colorado is headquartered in Denver. To learn more about the work of the ACLU and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit www.aclu-co.org and www.aclu.org.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

The ACLU of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive culture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to achieve our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and members of other underrepresented and marginalized groups.

The ACLU of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Position Overview:

The ACLU of Colorado seeks to hire a full-time Legal Assistant.  The Legal Assistant provides clerical and administrative support for the Legal Director and three Staff Attorneys on the wide variety of constitutional law and civil liberties issues that comprise the ACLU’s docket.  The Legal Assistant will join an enthusiastic group of individuals who are committed to their work and the organization.  The position requires compassion, a sense of humor, and an ability to juggle multiple assignments with varying deadlines.  We seek candidates who demonstrate professionalism, superior organizational skills, careful attention to detail, and an ability to communicate well with co-workers, clients, prospective clients, and members of the public.

Job Responsibilities:

• Organize and maintain electronic and paper filing systems (litigation and administrative files), by means of word processing, electronic transfer of documents, scanning, faxing, and copying
• Assist with drafting and finalizing correspondence and legal documents, by means of cite-checking, formatting, and proofreading
• Provide basic litigation support, by means of filing and serving legal documents in state and federal court, maintaining calendaring of court deadlines, and other related tasks
• Research court rules and procedures to help ensure accuracy of filings
• Assist in factual  research, including Internet research, in connection with prospective or ongoing litigation
• Assist with management of legal intake process, including support with intake review and data entry
• Assist in training and supervising volunteers to handle intake requests
• Assist attorneys with fact-finding interviews related to potential civil liberties violations
• Process incoming and outgoing Legal Department mail
• Gather and disseminate information in response to telephone and written inquiries
• Make arrangements for teleconferences, meetings, depositions, document deliveries, and calendar corresponding dates in Microsoft Outlook
• Assist attorneys in drafting, sending, calendaring, and following up on records requests, as well as in analyzing and organizing the responses to those requests
• Maintain communication with clients, cooperating attorneys, opposing counsel, and court staff throughout the duration of a case
• Process legal department invoices, credit card statements, and other department-related expenses
• Supervise and maintain the upkeep of legal department library and other resources
• Assist with special projects and other additional duties as assigned by the Legal Director and Staff Attorneys. 

Required Qualifications:

• High school degree and two years of relevant experience
• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to detail
• Strong drive and initiative, with the ability to manage time well in an environment of many concurrent assignments and deadlines
• A willingness and desire to jump in and help out on any project, to learn new skills, and to take ownership of assignments
• Proficiency with computers and technology, including advanced use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and ability to conduct Internet research
• Ability to master new software, such as an intake database or case management program
• Excellent English reading comprehension and writing skills
• General familiarity and comfort with the basics of legal terminology and the legal process
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain qualification as notary public
• Commitment to civil liberties principles and the goals of the ACLU

Desired Qualifications

• Spanish speaking and/or writing proficiency
• Skills in software trouble-shooting

Compensation and Benefits:

Approximate salary range is low-forties, in accordance with salaries in nonprofit organizations in the Denver area, and taking into account skills and experience. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, 401k contribution, and generous paid vacation and holidays.

To Apply: 

Send a cover letter explaining your interest in the ACLU, your relevant experience, and your personal connection, if any, to our mission, a resume, and references in an email (with “Legal Assistant” in the subject line) to [email protected].   No phone calls please.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before May 6, 2019.