The Democratic Party of Denver Party Platform

Click here to view the 2010 Proposed Platform.  This document will be reviewed at Caucus on March 16, 2010, and may be supplemented.  It will then be submitted to the Denver County Assembly April 10, 2010 for a vote.

Click here to view the 2008 Proposed Platform.  This document was assembled by the Platform Committee and passed on to the State Platform Committee.  However, since the 2008 Assembly went long, it was never approved by the County Party.

• Click here to view the Party Rules.

Below is the most recent fully adopted Denver Democratic Party Platform, approved by a majority at the 2006 Assembly, on April 8, 2006:

RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE DENVER DEMOCRAT ASSEMBLY
APRIL 8TH, 2006

Be it resolved that the Denver Democratic Party:

1. Iraq/War Issues

A. Call for a specific, thoughtful withdrawal plan of U.S. troops from Iraq.
B. Support non-violent conflict resolutions and oppose the use of torture.
C. Demand the immediate withdrawal of Colorado’s National Guard from Iraq.

2. Censure

Recognizing that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provides a lawful, responsive and secure mechanism for obtaining warrants for justified electronic surveillance, and that George W. Bush has publicly admitted authorizing electronic surveillance inside the U. S. act, that therefore the President be Censured by the United States Senate.

3. Gender Issues

A. Promote equality and respect for all regardless of sexual orientation and gender-identity, in all aspects of life, including employment, public accommodations, education, health care, spousal equality, and beneficiary rights and responsibilities.
B. Support legislation and policy that promotes dignity and safety for incarcerated members of the LGBT community.

4. Criminal Justice

A. General - Demand an overhaul of the current penal system including: alternative sentencing, effective rehabilitation programs, public control of prisons, right to vote for released felons, drug treatment, not incarceration, for non-violent drug offenders, a task force on long-term prisoners and full habeas corpus rights.
B. Juveniles - Recognizing the inherent difference between children and adults, advocate: 1. separate trial and sentencing procedures for serious offenses; 2. juvenile facilities, not prisons, as the best rehabilitation facilities; and  3. an opportunity for parole for those currently serving life in adult prison.

5. Reproductive Rights

A. Guarantee freedom of choice of reproductive rights including abortion; continual support of Roe vs. Wade decision.
B. Actively discourage unintended pregnancy by vigorously promoting family planning, responsible sex education, and access to health care for women, including emergency contraception.

6. Taxes/Budget

Support fiscal responsibility, balanced budget, and equitable tax laws which narrow the growing gap between rich and poor.

7. Rights of the Disabled

Commit to consult the disabled community on policies affecting them, i.e. promoting community transition services, establishing a state office for the disability advocate, supporting the right to live freely in their communities, to receive services in integrated settings and promoting the ability to live independently - all services provided without fear of abuse and with maximum protection.

8. Environment/Energy

A. Support global environment-supporting policies and economic sustainability.
B. Support the development of an energy policy emphasizing conservation, the reduction of fossil fuel use, the use of power generated by hydroelectric plants, and the use of renewable, clean energies.

9. PERA - REVISED 

The Democratic Party supports proper funding of the PERA trust funds, and supports preservations of comprehensive benefits for public employees through the PERA defined benefit plan. The Party opposes efforts to substitute a defined contribution plan for PERA benefits, as well as efforts to weaken the ability of the PERA Board of Trustees to full fill its fiduciary duties to its members and benefit recipients.

10. Education

A. Support an adequate tax base for quality and equitable public education which requires an increase in funding above and beyond Amendment 23 which, at a minimum (deleted)
B. Support keeping public funds in public schools - oppose vouchers.

11. Transportation - (This is repeated and covered in No. 15.)

12. Health Care

A. Establish a universal single-payer, national healthcare system, including prescriptions, in the U.S. not tied to employment.
B. Support adequate funding for evidence-based services for people with mental illness and thus save
emergency services and correctional facility costs.

13. Low Income Issues

A. Resolve to support affordable housing, health care and social supports for people living below the poverty line.
B. Support increasing the minimum wage to a wage that keeps workers above the poverty line.

14. Trustworthy Elections

Provide honest, publicly financed free elections with verifiable votes and instant runoff voting.

15. Transportation

A. Support economic and efficient transportation options for all residents of Colorado
B. Support the implementation of a comprehensive, mass-transit plan with rapid transit and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that shapes the formation of any transportation plans.

16. Military

Support our troops by increasing veteran benefits and G.I. Bill.

17. Democratic Values Statement

Urge the Democratic Party to adopt three to five statements affirming the party’s values, including fiscal responsibility and the common interest over special interests.

18. Labor

Support the passage of a Labor Rights Amendment to the CO Constitution restoring labor union rights, participation in union elections, collective bargaining by vote, and penalties against non-complying employers.

19. Immigration

A. Urge that all workers, whatever their country of origin, be treated fairly and with respect.

19. B. Resolve to enact stiffer immigration laws with no amnesty to illegal aliens. FAILED.

20. Trailhead Group

Urge a formal investigation of the robo-calls and activities which were sponsored by the Trailhead Group and any individuals associated with this group.

The above resolutions, except 19B, were adopted at the Denver County Assembly on April 8, 2006. Priority war given to issues within the purview of the state since 2006 is a non-national year for Colorado.

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The following issues were given moderate support and are mentioned for informational purposes only.

NATIONAL ISSUES

1. Support the right of Israel to exist in a peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East.

2. Urge the U.N. to recognize a Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem and undertake a peacemaking mission of indefinite duration.

3. We support fair trade agreements that guarantee worker protections, a reasonable living wage, environmental protections, and limitations on child labor. Fair trade also requires eliminating subsidies that undermine fair competition.

4. We support repealing portions of the Patriot Act that have undermined our privacy. We especially support requiring court orders for domestic surveillance and the right to habeas corpus.

5. We support the United Nations’ initiatives to intervene where necessary to prevent genocide.

6. We call for the end of the United States’ embargo on Cuba and the normalizing of relations with this nation.