June 25, 2013

Statement of ACLU of Colorado Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key portion of the Voting Rights Act

"Today’s Supreme Court ruling makes voting less free and fair, and it is a step backward, not forward, for civil rights and minority access to the democratic process.

"The court's decision is a significant departure from the Supreme Court's previous four decisions over four decades recognizing that Congress is in the best position to evaluate and set specific voting rights protections.

"When Congress last extended the Voting Rights Act in 2006, it did so with broad and overwhelming bipartisan support. Members from both sides of the aisle understood that strong federal legislation remains necessary so that all Americans can exercise the right to vote free from racial discrimination.

"The ACLU of Colorado will continue to work with our state and national lawmakers to protect and expand the right to vote." 

June 17, 2013

DENVER – The ACLU of Colorado will present its 2013 Civil Rights Awards to State Representative Claire Levy, Kevin Paul of Heizer Paul Grueskin LLP, and Kevin Williams of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) for their exemplary contributions to protecting civil rights and furthering civil liberties in Colorado.

The honorees will receive their awards at the ACLU of Colorado’s Carle Whitehead Bill of Rights Dinner at the Curtis Hotel on Friday, October 11th.

Representative Levy, who has dedicated her career as an attorney and a legislator to advancing civil rights, will receive the Carle Whitehead Memorial Award. Levy has spearheaded efforts in the legislature to decrease prison populations and address a variety of juvenile justice issues, including removing juveniles from adult jails. She has worked to reform the sentencing process and reduce the use of solitary confinement, and she helped secure legislation in the last session to modernize elections and increase voter participation. Levy has argued passionately for preserving the civil rights of all Coloradoans and has been a tireless advocate for ending the death penalty.

The Edward Sherman Award, which recognizes outstanding legal work, will be awarded to Kevin Paul, whose career of legal advocacy for reproductive rights has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of men, women, and teens throughout the state. Paul, now a partner at Denver-based Heizer Paul Grueskin LLP, has long served as legal counsel for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Among his many legal and legislative achievements, Paul was instrumental in creating the “bubble law,” which is now used as a model throughout the state and country for balancing protesters’ rights with the right to privacy outside of healthcare facilities.

Kevin Williams, who directs the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) Legal Program, will receive the Ralph L. Carr Award, which recognizes an individual’s devotion to an important contemporary civil rights issue. Under Williams’ direction, the CCDC Legal Program and its cooperating attorneys have successfully litigated hundreds of disability rights cases, including a national class action settlement requiring all K-Mart stores to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ticket and sponsorship information for the 2013 Carle Whitehead Bill of Rights Dinner can be found at https://aclu-co.org/event/carle-whitehead-bill-of-rights-dinner. Leadership for the event includes Jeff Knetsch, Event Chair, and Mari Newman, Nominations Chair.

For more information about the Carle Whitehead Bill of Rights Dinner and to purchase tickets, click here.

June 14, 2013

Statement of ACLU of Colorado Executive Director Nathan Woodliff-Stanley on the Appointment of New Colorado Department of Corrections Director Rick Raemisch

“The ACLU of Colorado is encouraged by Governor Hickenlooper’s appointment today of Rick Raemisch to head the Colorado Department of Corrections. The Governor’s announcement signals an intention to further former Director Tom Clements’ goals of ensuring greater safety for the public, protecting civil liberties, and preparing prisoners for successful re-entry into society.

“The ACLU of Colorado was privileged to work closely with Tom Clements and his staff to make significant strides toward protecting the civil rights and human dignity of prisoners. We look forward to close collaboration with Mr. Raemich to ensure that Clements’ impressive legacy is honored and unfinished goals are met.”