Welcome to the League of Women Voters of La Plata County

The League of Women Voters of La Plata County is pleased to partner with other Leagues across Congressional District Three (CD3) in Colorado to present this important candidate forum on June 8, 2022.

Please check back here or on our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for more information, including the link which will be provided as we get closer to the date of the forum.

This candidate forum will be held live on Zoom with live streaming on Facebook;
thoughtful questions for the candidates are being sought from voters within CD3.

Watch or listen for information in the local press as well as social media on how you can submit your question.

We thank all of the candidates for their participation, and we hope to see you there!

The League of Women Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or oppose any political party or candidate.

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Do you believe we have more in common than what divides us? Have a conversation, and see for yourself.

Join in community conversations sponsored by our local NPR station, KSUT – and their new project “One Small Step”.

One Small Step conversations are not to debate or convince. They’re simply a chance to break the ice: to talk about who we are as people, what we care about, and our dreams for the future.

Ask and answer questions like:

“Who has been the most influential person in your life? What did they teach you?”

“Is there someone you disagree with but still love or respect?”

“What are your fears or concerns about the future of our country?”

One Small Step helps us move beyond labels like "Democrat" and "Republican" and into the life experiences that shaped how each of us sees our world.

KSUT is teaming up with civic organizations, churches, and other community groups and leaders to spread the word and connect Four Corners residents from all backgrounds who are ready to take One Small Step.

Do you want to get your group or organization involved in the effort? Contact Adam Burke at onesmallstepksut@gmail.com for more details. KSUT will be matching participants and hosting recorded conversations throughout 2022.

Click here to learn more and sign up for a conversation

The Golden Rule

LWV La Plata’s Annual Meeting

Tuesday June 21, 2022

4:00-5:30pm

Edgemont Highlands Community Center

Featuring Guest Speaker Patrick Sharp, CEO

Mercy Medical Center, Durango

Elect Your New Board of Directors

Approve the 2022-2023 Budget

Consider Changes to the By-Laws

Give Direction to the Leadership Team

Learn About What’s Happening with Your League

See you there!

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The Healthcare Committee needs you! Help us meet our goal of reaching out to 1,000 residents of La Plata County with a quick survey on health care. Click here to take the online survey: LWV Health Care Survey. The survey data will be used to provide feedback to legislators and health care providers on local, state and federal levels with the hope of stimulating further discussion and policy changes to improve health care access, affordability and outcomes in the area.

Did you know that a local group of retired Mercy physicians began meeting in 2019 due to concerns over the apparent, dramatic loss in health care providers – particularly those employed by Mercy over the last 4-5 years?

An October 2021 invitation to select community members was issued with the intent of forming a work group to assess health care provider adequacy in La Plata County and to establish a plan for improvement. At its last meeting the Work Group prepared a document which describes their findings and plans for improvement in each of our 10 provider specialties of concern. Check back here for the finalized report - we'll post it as soon as it is available.

Get the facts! Want to know more about health care reform and LWV La Plata's Health Care Committee? Click here for a great new booklet: Health Care Information Booklet.

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League of Women Voters Responds to Leaked Supreme Court Opinion in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization

If this draft opinion holds, and overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it not only strips women and pregnant people of their personal autonomy but opens the door to erode more fundamental rights.

May 3, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today the League of Women Voters of the United States president Dr. Deborah Turner and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón issued the following joint statement in response to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey:

“Reproductive care is essential health care and a fundamental right that the Supreme Court is preparing to undermine. If this draft opinion holds, and overturns Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it not only strips women and pregnant people of their personal autonomy but opens the door to erode more fundamental rights. As an organization that believes in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy, we will fight to preserve the individual rights of women to make their own reproductive choices.

“The leaked Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is an affront to our values that support access to health care, reproductive rights, and individual liberties and privacy. If this draft opinion is finalized as leaked, it will be an unprecedented blow to women and will put the reproductive health of millions in danger. This opinion is also a direct attack on Black women and all underserved communities who already experience unfair barriers and limited access to adequate health care services.

“All people deserve access to quality health care, including abortion, and the privacy to make reproductive choices. Today Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey are still the law, and we will stand with our allies to protect women’s access to care. It is critical that we show up in solidarity, and make our voices heard for reproductive choice. Our democracy depends on it.”

The League of Women Voters of the United States filed an amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and we await the official published opinion from the Court.

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La Plata County clerk assails false elections claims, saying ‘enough’s enough’

Read the article in The Durango Herald Here

League Advocacy and Action

A Voting Rights Rollercoaster

After escalating actions demanding that President Biden do all within his power to promote voting rights legislation, the League was thrilled to see POTUS stand for the freedom to vote and call for the end of the filibuster. His shift was a direct result of all the work activists undertook in 2021.

January also saw disappointments, such as the Senate's failure to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. During this time, we're reminded of the many obstacles that the Voting Rights Act faced before passing; we know that our current fight, though no less challenging, will be successful.

Tackling Gerrymandered Maps

State Leagues and partners across the US are taking legal action to counter gerrymandered maps. The League has joined cases in Baltimore County, MD, and the state of Georgiaopposing racial gerrymandering.

To stay up to date on this work, sign up for our People Powered Fair Maps ™newsletter.

New Staff and Digital Design in 2022

The League kicked off the new year by welcoming several new team members to the national office, including Press Secretary Shannon Augustus and Senior Director for Voting and Elections Adam Ambrogi. The recruitment process isn't over, either—the League is currently searching for organizers, analysts, marketers, and more to join our team.

We also launched a fresh new website design to better showcase the League's priorities and promote resources like VOTE411 and our legal cases. This is just the first in a series of digital enhancements, so stay tuned!

About Us - LWVLPC Leadership Team

The League is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. We encourage informed and active participation in government, and work to increase understanding of major public policy issues. We influence public policy through education and advocacy based on policy positions that are adopted by our members following studies and agreement.

The League of Women Voters of La Plata County has restated its goals
for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion -

The League of Women Voters of La Plata County works for a stronger democracy, rooted in principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our JEDI working group is committed to ensuring that every voice is heard, every individual is counted, and every person has a seat at the table. 2/22/2021

Our LWVLPC Leadership Team for 2021-2022

Board of Directors

Laurie Meininger, President

Diane Goodchild, Vice President

Siggy Palmer, Treasurer

Martha Mason, Secretary (not pictured)

Trish Pegram, Director at Large (not pictured)

Alex Lemmel, Director at Large

Jean Aaro, Immediate Past President

Committee Leaders

Karen McManus– Voter Services Team * (looking of a new team leader)

Diane Goodchild - Membership Team

Alex Lemmel - JEDI Team

Jan Phillips - Health Care Advocacy and Action Team

Gale Zander-Barlow - Climate Advocacy and Action Team (not pictured)

Vacant – Communications & Technology Team, Webmaster