Denver

The ACLU of Colorado is the state’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. They are a private institution funded exclusively by the generous donations of their supporters. Their mission is to protect, defend and extend the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Colorado through litigation, education and advocacy.

Colorado Freedom Fund (CFF) is a revolving community bond fund that pays ransom for their neighbors unjustly detained in cages across Colorado who cannot afford to buy their own freedom. Founded in 2018, they are an abolitionist organization working to end wealth-based detention via legislation, litigation, and direct action. Posting money bonds (paying cash bail) is one way they work to #BringOurNeighborsHome.

Creative Strategies for Change’s (CSC) mission is to mobilize arts and education for social justice. They define social justice as both a process and a goal. Informed social change, with lasting effect requires substantial time and responsiveness. CSC programs work for change on a variety of levels. They believe that institutional, interpersonal, and internal change all require large-scale ideological change, or cultural change for true lasting impact. This is one way the arts come into play. They work with communities, schools, organizations, and institutions, and their approach is community-based.

Denver Justice Project formed in 2015 through a community-led effort to recall then Denver District Attorney (DA) Mitch Morrissey for his lack of prosecuting police officers who assaulted or murdered community members. While that effort did not result in recalling the DA, it was successful as it emerged a coalition determined to achieve meaningful lasting improvement for people’s lives by transforming the criminal legal system. The Denver Justice Project (DJP) works with historically marginalized communities to address systemic racism by transforming law enforcement and the structure of the criminal justice system through intersectional movement building, direct action, advocacy, and collaborative education.

SURJ Denver is part of a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability.