Colorado is ready to preserve voting rights
Upon the inauguration of the president, America witnessed one of the most vicious attacks on humanity in its history. How did we arrive at this era where hatred and division have become the new normal? As a Denver native, raised as a Southern Baptist Christian by a father born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, I was taught the golden rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' This principle was not just a nice sentiment, but a way of life.
I've lived across this state — Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs — and have seen firsthand the power of unity and democracy. For nearly 50 years, the federal Voting Rights Act had bipartisan support. Now in 2025, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in Washington, D.C., authored by Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama's 7th Congressional District, would protect voters if lawmakers pass it. But why, in this day and age, are we still fighting for what is right in voting? Getting the John Lewis Act passed is a long haul, not because it's the right thing to do, but because doing the right thing is no longer the norm.
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I'll never forget the day in 2016 when it was announced that Hillary Clinton had lost. I wept for an entire day — not because of the loss, but because it signaled that despite the election of Barack Obama, one of the most intelligent presidents in history, nothing had changed for Black people. The memo was clear: racism, sexism and bigotry were still alive and well in our country.
Fast forward to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, where her powerful message was, 'Let's save democracy.' While this rallying cry seemed poised to propel her to become the first woman of color in office, it ultimately fell short of securing her success. As a mother of a college student, I find myself deeply reflecting on what the future holds for America. We talk often about democracy and freedom, but do we truly understand what they mean? How can the younger generation grasp the essence of democracy when they've never experienced life without it?
Democracy holds meaning only when we fully understand the consequences of a life without choice, voice or vote — when we understand the profound absence of a Barack Obama or a Kamala Harris. Growing up, I never imagined I would live to see a Black president, let alone a Black woman as vice president. But has their success sparked resentment among right-wing Christian groups, driving efforts to suppress the vote? More troubling still, has their success misled people of color into believing our voting rights are equal — when, in reality, they are far from it? It's time for our elected officials to step down from their ivory towers and understand why voting truly matters.
Protecting the vote in Colorado isn't about race or division — it's about humanity. Voting is fundamental to our democracy, a right that must be cherished and safeguarded. Yet, instead of progressing, we've seen troubling steps backward. As we move through 2025, political discourse remains fixated on figures like Trump, but the real issue runs deeper. A culture of hatred and division has taken root, and confronting it is imperative.
Colorado holds a unique place in this fight. I saw this firsthand when I attended Brown University and told my peers I was from Denver. Their reaction — silence, followed by judgmental stereotypes — suggested Colorado was only for white people, as if skiing and hiking weren't for people of color like me. What could Colorado possibly offer an immigrant or a person of color? Yet, our state has the power to shatter those misconceptions. By championing voting rights, Colorado can lead the way toward a more just and inclusive democracy for all.
On the federal level, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore protections removed from the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It would help ensure that every voter — regardless of race, income, language, or location — has an equal voice in our democracy. But Colorado cannot wait for Congress to do the right thing. We must compel the federal legislators by leading as an example.
Voting is not a privilege; it's a promise. A promise that each of us should have an equal say in the decisions that shape our lives. Let's keep that promise.
Senate Bill 25-1, the Colorado Voting Rights Act, would restore crucial protections, expand access to multilingual ballots, and ensure fairness in our election process across the state. It's about fairness. It's about ensuring that every Coloradan, no matter their race, income, location in the state or language, has an equal voice in our democracy
We have come a long way, but the work is not done. The racial turnout gap in Colorado is one of the largest in the nation, and it's crucial that we address this gap through measures like the Colorado Voting Rights Act.
This bill would help eliminate systematic disenfranchisement, expand access, and ensure that our elections are fair and accessible to all. We can't afford to wait for Washington to act. The right to vote should be protected, and COVRA is a critical step in ensuring that every voter in Colorado has the opportunity to cast their ballot free from fear or intimidation.
Let's keep Colorado a leader in accessible and fair elections. Let's protect our democracy and ensure that every vote counts.
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