GILPIN COUNTY – A newly formed grassroots activist group, tentatively called Tricounty Unity for Democracy, held its second meeting on Sunday, March 16, at the Gilpin County Public Library.

The group, which draws members from Gilpin, Boulder, and Jefferson counties, is still in the early stages of defining its mission and goals. While Brandy Hale played a significant role in organizing the group, she was absent from the meeting, leaving John Foot to facilitate the discussion.

“I'm here because I'm annoyed,” said John Graham bluntly, summarizing a shared sentiment among attendees who voiced frustration with the current political climate and a desire for action.

Foot acknowledged the group's evolving nature. “We're still not really sure what it is that we're trying to accomplish yet, what our goals are, or even if we have a name for our group,” he said. 

Apparently, the group is still trying to find its “footing,” pun intended. 

"The general idea, though, is that we’re a group of progressives upset with what’s currently at play."

Expanding outreach and addressing rural challenges

As the discussion continued, attendees debated the geographic scope of their activism. Should the group remain focused on Front Range mountain communities, or expand into other areas like Evergreen and Conifer?

Some members raised concerns about the lack of progressive engagement in rural communities. One participant emphasized the need for a progressive rural strategy, pointing out that while rural voters often lean conservative, there are opportunities to engage them on issues like energy efficiency, renewable energy for farms, and direct farm-to-table initiatives.

“You look at the election maps, and every county outside the city is practically Trumpland,” he noted. “But Trump isn’t doing anything for farmers or ranchers.”

Organizing for action

The meeting focused on housekeeping matters, including how the group should operate and communicate. One key topic was the recent launch of a Discord server, on which members are encouraged to share information, organize events, and coordinate efforts.

“We’ve tried doing it through a group text message, but that was proving to be really ineffective,” Foot explained. “With Discord, we can be more nimble and respond quickly.”

In addition to discussing internal organization, attendees explored potential collaborations with other activist groups, including Indivisible and Red Wine and Blue, a network focused on mobilizing suburban women voters.

Members were encouraged to attend a Red Wine and Blue event later that evening at Augustina's Winery in Nederland.

Taking political action

The group also discussed direct political engagement, including calls to legislators. Some members encouraged using apps like FiveCalls, which helps users connect with their representatives on key issues.

Others mentioned organizations such as Americans of Conscience, which provides weekly action checklists. Several attendees expressed frustration with the overwhelming number of fundraising emails from political groups, noting that many progressive organizations primarily ask for donations rather than offering ways to take action.

“So far, all I’ve been able to do is make cash donations. I want to do something more,” one participant said.

Building community and resilience

Beyond activism, the meeting served as a space for members to support one another in an increasingly divisive political climate.

Foot acknowledged the emotional toll of political engagement. “It can feel isolating up here in the mountains,” he said. “We don’t always see our neighbors, and we don’t always feel comfortable sharing what we’re going through.”

As part of their community support efforts, the group discussed upcoming food drives for the Gilpin County Food Pantry, and emphasized the importance of mutual aid.

Next steps

Despite the group's loose structure, members agreed to continue meeting bi-weekly on Sundays at noon at the library.

They also plan to finalize their name and mission statement in the coming weeks. As the meeting concluded, Foot urged attendees to stay engaged.

“Before we put gas in the car, we have to decide where we’re going. But that doesn’t mean we stop moving.”

If you would like to participate, attend the next meeting at noon on March 30, 2025, in the Gilpin County Public Library multimedia room. The library is located at 15131 Highway 119, Black Hawk.