THANKS to EVERYONE who attended our Champions of Democracy Celebration! The crowd was inspired by our Keynote Speaker, US Rep. Melanie Stansbury, from New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. (Trust us. She's one to watch!)

Pictures from the event will be posted here soon!

If you were not able to attend but would love to help cover the cost of your precinct’s voter guides, a GOTV textbank, or an order of Know Your Rights cards — or if you’re able to provide us monthly support, you can donate here — THANK YOU!

...your “scrollable” program for the 2026 Champions of Democracy Celebration, — our 51st Annual Fundraising Event, held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Nissi's Entertainment & Event Venue in Lafayette, Colorado.

We want to thank all the attendees, as well as our sponsors, for their generosity!

YOUR SUPPORT helps us do the critical DEMOCRACY fortifying work that we do —
GOTV: the BCDP Voter Guide (printed and online), Vote Notes, voter education, with text outreach, materials for our precinct leaders, area coordinators, and our many volunteers, robust and action oriented communications to our large list of subscribers.

AND SO MUCH MORE: Resources and support for our amazing BCDP Teams and their projects, including KNOW YOUR RIGHTS training and awareness (from our Outreach & Inclusion Team), REGISTER RENTERS (from our Field Team). These projects come from dedicated, experienced COMMUNITY volunteers, and are all the more effective with YOUR SUPPORT.
THANK YOU!

If you are using your phone, this program is best viewed horizontally 😉 — scroll down, and you'll find the agenda, ads from stellar Democratic candidates and electeds, profiles of our 2026 Awardees, and more. 

Our amazing 51-year tradition continues... ENJOY!

Tonight, we welcome
US REPRESENTATIVE, New Mexico, CD1
Melanie Stansbury

MELANIE STANSBURY IS A PROUD NEW MEXICAN who has spent her career working to protect our lands and waters, and address the critical issues facing our communities.

As someone who grew up in a working family in Albuquerque, Melanie knows what it means to struggle to make ends meet and knows the urgency of bringing real solutions to help our families. Serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives (2019-2021), Melanie was a leader in tackling the pandemic, food and hunger issues, climate change, growing our economy and meaningful jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure, and protecting our natural resources.

As our Congresswoman, Melanie took that fight to Washington D.C. in 2021 because the stakes are high and New Mexico needs a leader who will fight for our communities and the issues that matter most. Rep. Stansbury currently sits on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

The Boulder County Democratic Party welcomes Representative Stansbury, as Keynote Speaker for the 51st Annual Champions of Democracy Celebration!

the BCDP 51st ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CELEBRATION

— agenda: SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026 —

5:00pm | doors open, mingle with friends

5:30 – 6:30pm | buffet

then it's time to start the show!:

6:30pm | welcome

Emcees: Katie Malzbender, Emcee, Champions Fundraising Team Lead:

and
Jonathan Singer, Emcee, Paddle Master, former State House Rep., 2012–2021:

Message from the State & County Party Chairs:

Shad Murib
Colorado Democratic Party

Ben Cowan
Boulder County Democratic Party

Recognition of Champions Team, Electeds and Candidates
Ann Stewart Zachwieja, Candidate Team Lead:

Gratitude for our generous Sponsors
Katie Malzbender, Champions Fundraising Team Lead:

•••

6:45pm | PRESENTATION OF TONIGHT'S AWARDS

2026 TOM MAYER AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
presented by Lisa Lesniak, Democratic Women of Boulder County to

2025 JOSIE HEATH OUTSTANDING YOUNG DEMOCRAT AWARD
presented by State Senator Janice Marchman, SD15 to:

Andrew Barton

STAY TUNED: We'll announce this year's Champion of Democracy, and THEN, tonight's Keynote, — REP. MELANIE STANSBURY — after the Paddle Raise!

(Also after Paddle Raise — THANK YOU — please scroll down to read all about our stellar 2026 Champions of Democracy Awardees...they make us proud!)

• • •

7:00pm | PADDLE RAISE

with Special Guest, Emcee, and Paddle Master, 2012-2021 State Rep. for HD11,
Jonathan Singer

DONATE TO THE PADDLE RAISE:

paddle raise donation

• • •

Presented by BCDP Chair, Ben Cowan to
US Representative for CD2:

Joe Neguse

• • •

7:35pm | TONIGHT'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER

US Representative
Melanie Stansbury, CD1, New Mexico

• • •

Closing Remarks:
Katie Malzbender & Jonathan Singer

• • •

Keep scrolling down for more Champions content!
You’ll find ads from stellar Democratic reps and sponsors, profiles of our 2026 Awardees, a list of our generous sponsors — thank you! — and more.

OUR ESTEEMED ELECTED OFFICIALS

our 2026 champions award recipients

THE TOM MAYER AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE is given each year in memory of former Boulder County Commissioner Tom Mayer, who was committed to health and human services, limiting growth, and preservation of open spaces. Senator Mark Udall once described Tom Mayer as a volunteer “with a big heart and never-ending compassion... timelessly fighting for the underprivileged . . . (and making) Boulder County a better place for all of us.”

THE 2026 TOM MAYER AWARDEES: Kristen Aldretti & Cathy Carlson

KRISTEN ALDRETTI, INSPIRED BY HER IMMIGRANT FAMILY ROOTS in Southern Colorado coal mining, began supporting newcomers in Metro Denver in late 2023 by coordinating essential supplies and helping families find stable housing. Since early 2025, she has co-led the Boulder County Immigrant Partnership Team, focusing on public action and community engagement. She also participates in several immigrant rights organizations, including Interfaith Immigration Network, Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, and No Concentration Camps in Colorado.  — Congratulations, Kristen!

CATHY CARLSON IS A RETIRED LOBBYIST AND CONSULTANT, with experience in conservation efforts at the national, state, and local levels. She worked for 15 years at the National Wildlife Federation in Washington DC and Boulder, and since 2001 has focused on environmental policy and nonprofit management. Currently, Cathy co-leads the Immigrant Partnership Team for Boulder County, supporting vulnerable families facing housing, food insecurity, and immigration concerns. She is active in Colorado and national politics, serves on the boards of Democratic Women of Boulder County and the Colorado BlueFlower Fund helping women win political office.  — Congratulations, Cathy!

— ADVERTISEMENT —

PAID FOR BY JOE NEGUSE FOR CONGRESS 

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PAID FOR BY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF BOULDER COUNTY 

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PAID FOR BY TINA MARQUIS FOR BOULDER CITY COUNCIL 

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PAID FOR BY BILL WILSON

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PAID FOR BY PHIL FOR COLORADO

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PAID FOR BY JUNIE JOSEPH

our 2026 champions award recipients continued

THE JOSIE HEATH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG DEMOCRAT honors Josie Heath, a community activist, educator, political contender and yes, even a long time precinct leader, Josie is committed to improving the quality of life of Colorado citizens. She was Boulder County Commissioner from 1982-1990, Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1990 and 1992 and is, perhaps, best known for leadership as President of the Community Foundation serving Boulder County. Josie explains: “We just need to keep focused on the positive things, keep taking the risks to be pacesetters. I’m sure new folks will bring fresh ideas.”

THE 2026 JOSIE HEATH OUTSTANDING YOUNG DEMOCRAT AWARDEE:
Andrew Barton

ANDREW BARTON HAS BEEN A LONG TIME BOULDER COUNTY ORGANIZER, dedicated to building a more inclusive, representative, and participatory democracy. He has worked across candidate and issue campaigns, knocked tens of thousands of doors, and helped elect Democrats, grow progressive majorities, and advance policies that reflect the values of our community.

His commitment has also shaped policy work at the Colorado Capitol, where he has supported members of Boulder County’s legislative delegation on issues including clean energy adoption, gun violence prevention, and expanded access and funding for public schools and educators.

Andrew also restarted the Boulder County Young Democrats, creating space for the next generation of Democratic and civic leaders to organize, lead, and be heard. Through his work with organizations such as New Era Colorado and Common Cause, he has helped break down barriers to democratic participation, including efforts to protect voters from intimidation and strengthen voting rights in Colorado.

Andrew’s leadership reflects the spirit of this award: service, courage, organizing, and a deep belief that democracy is strongest when more people can participate. — Congratulations, Andrew!

— ADVERTISEMENT —

PAID FOR BY MICHAEL FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

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PAID FOR BY EDIE FOR CU

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PAID FOR BY LESLEY SMITH

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PAID FOR BY ADDERLY GRANT LORD

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PAID FOR BY JANICE MARCHMAN FOR COLORADO

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PAID FOR BY AARON BROCKETT AND CHERRY ANDERSON

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PAID FOR BY KAREN FOR CO

 — the —

THE 2026 CHAMPIONS OF DEMOCRACY AWARD recognizes individuals who are living our party’s values and thereby protecting Democracy. But in these incredibly challenging times, we need fighters. This year's Champion proves time and again how much the fight is within him, and that gives us hope:

Congressman Joe Neguse
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CD2

IN CONGRESS, JOE NEGUSE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY — enacting more laws than any member of the state’s delegation, including legislation to protect consumers, preserve our forests & public lands, strengthen ethics and anti-trust laws, expand opportunities for small businesses, and invest in our rural schools and mountain economies.

Rep. Neguse served as an impeachment manager during Donald Trump’s 2nd trial in front of the United States Senate on the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. He underscored the importance of holding Trump accountable for his efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election and pushing for the preservation of the peaceful transfer of power.

We're so grateful for Joe's leadership and thrilled to honor him as this year's Champion of Democracy. — Congratulations!

— ADVERTISEMENT —

PAID FOR BY FENBERG LEADERSHIP FUND 

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PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF KUBS LALCHANDANI

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PAID FOR BY CLAIRE FOR BOULDER COUNTY

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PAID FOR BY FRIEND FOR TREASURER

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PAID FOR BY CURTIS JOHNSON FOR SHERIFF

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PAID FOR BY NICOLE SPEER

heartfelt thanks to our sponsors

Your donations help us do the work we do, and the resources we need to do it, from office space and supplies, to our robust Get Out the Vote efforts, to our various Teams, including Outreach & Inclusion, to media communications, to putting on a yearly event to properly appreciate our hundreds of precinct organizers and volunteers, support of our very successful Register Renters effort, to the production of our BCDP Voter Guide, with over 80,000 of those guides dropped or mailed to neighborhoods all over Boulder County each election. No doubt about it — our democracy is at risk — and the best way to protect it is ENGAGEMENT and TURNOUT!

WE STAND READY AND INSPIRED BY YOUR SUPPORT...THANK YOU!

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PAID FOR BY MURRAY FOR REGENT

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PAID FOR BY JACK FOR RTD

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PAID FOR BY PHIL & SUSIE CARAGOL

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PAID FOR BY ELECT JUDY AMABILE

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PAID FOR BY JENN FOR COLORADO

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US DO THE WORK WE DO, LIKE: — REGISTER RENTERS: Serving an underserved demographic, apartment dwellers!

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US TO DO THE WORK THAT WE DO, LIKE — KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: From our Outreach and Inclusion Team, listening to communities under threat, building trust and providing help. For more information, contact OIT@bocodems.org 

ANOTHER PROJECT from our amazing Outreach and Inclusion Team, promoting voter registration, and participation in our upcoming primary, June 30. For more information, contact OIT@bocodems.org: 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS WHO WERE UNABLE TO JOIN US THIS EVENING — ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO GIVE: Consider a monthly donation of $10 a month! It's easy and the best way to invest in one of the finest field teams in the state, helping voters to vote BLUE on every part of their ballot! donate to the bcdp

Remembering our first time...

THE FIRST BOULDER COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY TRUMAN DINNER was held on February 13, 1976, in the “Memorial Center Ballroom” at CU. Rumor has it there were 500 in attendance, but we don’t know what the menu was.

We’re guessing chicken.

In 1976, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst served as our party chair. Dickey Lee and the previous chair, Ron Stewart, decided to have an annual event, calling it the Truman Dinner.

Dickey Lee and a lot of good Democratic volunteers made it a reality. Senator Gary Hart, who had recently been elected in 1974, helped secure George McGovern (shown here, with Dickie Lee at our first Truman Dinner in 1976), South Dakota Senator, and our Presidential candidate in 1972, as the first keynote speaker. McGovern gave the audience a glimpse of what the country may have looked like if he had triumphed over Richard Nixon.

That first Truman Dinner boasted some local Colorado celebrities, too. Among them were newly elected Governor Dick Lamm and Congressman Tim Wirth, along with Lt. Governor George Brown and Attorney General J. D. MacFarlane. Some names from the 1976 Truman Dinner team are familiar to us today: along with Dickey Lee and Ron, there’s Charlotte Houston, Barbara Lamm, and Linda Flack.

Just like in 1976, this event is only made possible by the many volunteers who help plan and organize it. We thank Dickey Lee and Ron for getting it started, and every volunteer since then, for keeping it going.

— This engaging piece of history was written by Candace Bowie, in 2015, the same year that Dickie Lee Hullinghorst was Colorado Speaker of the House, and as we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Truman Dinner. Candace was a valued member of the BCDP Field Team, but also worked many years on the organizing of the Truman Celebration and continues to be an active and cherished member of the BoCoDem community. We hope that as we continue the latest era of the Champions of Democracy Celebration, that we do Candace, Dickie Lee, and the countless volunteers who came before us — proud. And in the process, perhaps get a wink from Harry Truman himself!

Thank you to our
Executive Director:

Dr. Stuart C. Lord

2026 Champions Team:

Judi Bodinger

Ben Cowan

Marisa Dirks

Amy Fouchey Reilly

Stanley Karombo

Stuart Lord

Katie Malzbender

Deborah Miller

Yvette Rollins

Jonathan Singer

Ann Stewart Zachwieja

Carol Teal

Laura Uhls

Susan Winter

“I should like to talk to you briefly about civil rights and human freedom. It is my deep conviction that we have reached a turning point in the long history of our country’s efforts to guarantee freedom and equality to all our citizens. Recent events in the United States and abroad have made us realize that it is more important today than ever before to ensure that all Americans enjoy these rights. … [And] When I say all Americans, I mean all Americans...

“We cannot be content with a civil liberties program which emphasizes only the need of protection against the possibility of tyranny by the government,” Truman continued. “We cannot stop there...

“Our immediate task is to remove the last remnants of the barriers which stand between millions of our citizens and their birthright. There is no justifiable reason for discrimination because of ancestry, or religion, or race, or color.

“We must not tolerate such limitations on the freedom of any of our people and on their enjoyment of basic rights which every citizen in a truly democratic society must possess. Every man should have the right to a decent home, the right to an education, the right to adequate medical care, the right to a worthwhile job, the right to an equal share in making the public decisions through the ballot, and the right to a fair trial in a fair court. We must ensure that these rights — on equal terms — are enjoyed by every citizen. To these principles I pledge my full and continued support.

“Many of our people still suffer the indignity of insult, the harrowing fear of intimidation, and, I regret to say, the threat of physical injury and mob violence. Prejudice and intolerance in which these evils are rooted still exist. The conscience of our nation, and the legal machinery which enforces it, have not yet secured to each citizen full freedom from fear.”

— HARRY S. TRUMAN, JUNE 29, 1947