2025 Champions of Democracy Celebration
June 8, 2025
Thank you for attending!
Keynote Speaker:
US Representative, Maryland CD8
Jamie Raskin
2025 Champions of Democracy Award:
Longmont Area Democrats &
Democratic Women of Boulder County
2025 Tom Mayer Award for Community Service:
Mardi Moore
2025 Josie Heath Outstanding Young Democrat Award:
Fairview Young Democrats &
Niwot High School AP U.S. Government & Politics Students
~~~~~~~~~~
Sponsorships available
Email Champions@bocodems.org for more information
~~~~~~~~~~
We're so excited to be joined by Rep. Jamie Raskinat this crucial time in our Democracy – He was the lead impeachment manager for the second impeachment of President Donald Trump in response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021, and in Congress has fought to protect abortion rights, prevent discrimination against LGBTQIA individuals, and maintain the separation of church and state.
Prior to his election to Congress in 2016, Rep. Raskin served in the Maryland State Senate where he championed progressive policies like overturning the death penalty, instituting the National Popular Vote, and legalizing medical marijuana in Maryland. He also led the charge to pass same-sex marriage in Maryland.
Keeping with the Champions of Democracy event's focus on honoring those that defend and advocate for our democracy, Rep. Raskin was a constitutional law professor at American University Washington College of Law and has a deep understanding of our government and constitution.
Four years ago, Rep. Neguse served as an impeachment manager with Rep. Raskin, and the two of them were leading voices warning the country of the dangers that would follow if members of the Senate abdicated their constitutional duty by acquitting the president. The Senate didn't heed their warning, and the federal government under a second Trump term has been thrown into chaos.
That's why it's more important now than ever that we come together locally, regroup, and keep up the fight. By joining us at the Champions of Democracy celebration, you'll be doing just that.
Champions of Democracy Award Winners
Since 2003, the Longmont Area Democrats have been a local, energized, informed and fun group of unapologetic Democrats & progressives who believe in a robust Democracy – and the principle that our Democracy is only as strong as the level of people participation on the local, state and federal level. So the choice is simple: we can wring our hands, or roll up our sleeves!
They navigate through the issues of our time, inform, guide folks through the legislative process, hold candidate forums, provide voter & ballot education, raise alarms, and motivate – urging others to join in the fight to defend our beloved and shared democracy, whether during crisis, or in the prevention of crisis.
Issues of focus are affected by the democratic processes within Longmont's and surrounding districts, but their passion for these issues transcends all boundaries! In fact, they believe the model of Longmont Area Democrats could be a template for every community in America.
~~~~~~~~~~
Democratic Women of Boulder County is a 501(c)(4) non-profit social community organization with a mission to Educate, Engage, and Elect. For 60 years, progressive women and men who are politically active have come together to create a powerful community – DWBC. Meet monthly, covering timely topics, members include elected officials, community leaders, grassroots activists, and volunteers. We are concerned citizens who contribute to maintaining our democracy. They expand members’ action to support democracy by engaging in activities relevant to electing progressive candidates; protecting our nation’s democratic ideals; writing postcards; calling elected officials; and visiting the Capitol.
Tom Mayer Award for Community Service
Mardi Moore has dedicated her life’s work to elevating the rights, visibility, safety, and socio-economic status of the LGBTQ community, building grassroots organizations from the ground up, living through the AIDS pandemic, and continuing to see the gradual, albeit slower-than-wished, acceptance of the LGBTQ community into mainstream public discourse.
Moore has been on the frontlines of the good fight for 30 years at the local and national level, recognizing that her role in demanding inclusion and diversity needed to go beyond armchair activism. She currently serves as CEO for Rocky Mountain Equality, a Colorado-based not-for-profit organization with the mission to educate, advocate, and provide services, programs, and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans. Under her leadership, the organization has grown more than five-fold in the past 10 years by modeling equality, respect, intersectional empathy, and deep understanding of the fundamental human right to fall asleep at night dreaming of an optimistic, realistic tomorrow.
Prior to leading Rocky Mountain Equality, Moore held senior-level positions in New York City with the National LGBTQ Task Force and the NYC LGBT Center, and ran a fundraising business in Seattle raising over $2M annually for progressive causes.
Josie Heath Outstanding Young Democrat Award
At Fairview High School, a student-led civic movement sparked unprecedented levels of voter registration, resulting in the school receiving the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award, a statewide honor awarded by the Colorado Secretary of State to schools that register 85% or more of their eligible seniors to vote. In 2025, Fairview was the only public school in Boulder County to earn this prestigious recognition.
The Fairview Young Democrats’ success was driven by five outstanding student leaders: Natalie Cappelletti, Sigmund (Sigi) Persson, Kieran Schnitzspahn, Emma Weber, and Molly Weber. Their commitment to civic engagement began years before they were eligible to vote and has included work as election judges and environmental legislative advocates at both the local and state levels.
The group’s advisor, Aaron Hendrikson—AP Economics teacher and Liaison to the Boulder County Clerk’s Elections Division—has spent the past seven years fostering a culture of youth voter participation at Fairview. His mentorship has been crucial in transforming voter registration from a one-day effort into a continuous student-led tradition.
Meanwhile, at Niwot High School, students in Boulder County Election Liaison Sara Demmel’s AP United States Government & Politics classes have redefined what it means to be engaged learners. The curriculum goes beyond preparing for the AP exam—it challenges students to think critically, write persuasively, and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
In this class, students write to elected officials—receiving thoughtful responses from figures such as Representative Joe Neguse, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and former President Bill Clinton. They hold signs in public spaces to encourage voter turnout and to debate timely policy issues, including reproductive rights, immigration, and the ethics of prison labor. This immersive educational experience demonstrates how government directly impacts students’ lives and how young people, in turn, can impact government.
This year’s Niwot honorees include Miles Shaw, acknowledged for his outstanding civic spirit and leadership.
For more information, please email Champions@bocodems.org
Your generous contributions toward our organization enable us to
- support our hundreds of volunteers, precinct leaders, area coordinators — and voters;
- provide robust community outreach;
- maintain both physical office space and online video support for all of our organizers and events;
- print and mail our Voter Guide, as well as provide a Voter Guide website; and
- sustain essential infrastructure to provide services to candidates and volunteers.