About 40 people -- including some newcomers -- attended our Democratic Club lunch on Monday, Nov. 17. 

Carmen Lewis and Annie Gian from Rise Above Violence presented information about their organization's history and mission. Rise Above Violence provides services for those affected by domestic and sexual violence. It also supports public education and prevention campaigns. 

Our donation jar filled up with cash by the end of the meeting, and we were able to give more than $250 to support their mission. 

If you're interested in volunteering or donating, visit the Rise Above Violence website.

Our next lunch is Dec. 15, and we'll be hearing from the executive director of KSUT. 

About 550 people gathered to protest in downtown Pagosa Springs on Oct. 18, part of a nationwide movement. 

Despite Republican rhetoric about dangerous Antifa terrorists, the protests were peaceful, featuring funny costumes and clever signs. 

How do we build on this momentum? 

At the local level, we're building up our organization and our funds to be ready for the 2026 election. We are laser-focused on holding Rep. Jeff Hurd accountable for his votes to support destructive Trump policies. We believe retaking Congress is the key to reining in Donald Trump. 

If you want to know more about what we're up to, we encourage to sign up for our mailing list, bookmark our calendar, and follow us on social media. We welcome you -- and your ideas. 

Our food drive on Nov. 1 surpassed our expectations! (More about that later.)

We filled two SUVs full of pantry staples and raised more than $7500 in cash and checks for Healthy Archuleta and the Community United Methodist Church food pantry. Archuleta Democrats donated $500 from party funds to the drive. 

(We even got a generous check from a Republican -- once we assured him that Democrats weren't keeping any of the funds.) 

We were still hanging out signs and getting ourselves organized when cars started pulling up with donations. We quickly realized we needed to take a load of donations to the pantry halfway through because we were inundated! 

We cannot thank you enough for your generosity to our neighbors. Alas, in the crush of people arriving at the beginning of the event, we may NOT have thanked you for your generosity. (See surpassed expectations.) We vow to do better next time. (And to get a better FOOD DRIVE sign.) 

Our August happy hour at The Studios drew about 30 folks, who got to chat with Andy Yaste, the treasurer of the Colorado Democratic Party. 

Andy got to hear about our challenges here in Archuleta County and our strategy to address them. He had seen the marquee at Liberty Theatre, so we got to fill him in on our Votes for Women! fundraiser. 

As we wrapped up the evening, Andy gave us a pep talk about 2026. Go! Fight! Win!