Protections for renters are important for Colorado. Pro-tenant policies lead to greater housing stability, particularly for our lowest income households. They also can help prevent displacement and the process of gentrification – changing the character of a...
Tiffani previously served as Executive Director of CCLP. She previously served as president and CEO of Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation since 2017, and was the chief strategy officer of Ability Connection Colorado. Lennon also held leadership positions at the University of Denver from 2007-2014 including chair and faculty in the Law and Society and Community-Based Research programs. She currently serves as the Executive Director for ACLU of Florida.
Recent articles
Myths & Facts: Ending Colorado’s Unconstitutional Sponsorship Law
In the mid-90s, President Bill Clinton famously promised to “end welfare as we know it,” by capping the number of years for eligibility and imposing restrictions for certain public benefits. Non-citizens were hit particularly hard as part of that misguided goal as...
Part 2: What is Credit Reporting, and How Does It Harm People with Medical Debt?
Accessing and maintaining good credit is essential to achieving economic mobility. However, a derogatory mark on a credit report can likewise significantly harm one’s life. When an individual struggles to pay off medical debt, the resultant poor credit report can...
March Letter from Bethany Pray, Interim Executive Director
March brings change. The session is nearing the halfway point, the sub-zero temperatures are over in Denver — we hope! — and over the next four weeks, the thousands of fiscal decisions that go into the budget will come together and the legislative landscape will begin...
MLK’s Dream Lives On
“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
It may feel like there are few things we can agree on as a state and as a nation. One exception may be the macro-economic axiom that “rising tides lift all boats,” but that analogy is fraught because tides rise and fall and do not follow the same patterns in all places.
Recently, CCLP cited overwhelming data in its State of Working Colorado 2020 report, indicating that a great many Colorado workers do not benefit from positive macro-economic growth. In fact, the data show that there is a negative correlation when “economic tides” rise for some, they fall for others.
However, the intent of the tides analogy should be celebrated. It aligns with the sentiment of Dr. King’s belief that we should place humanity and humanitarian concerns above our individualistic concerns. If we focus our economic-relief efforts on those experiencing economic insecurity and poverty, then their security will help to bolster the economy for everyone.
Economic growth in the United States is based on consumption of goods and services. When more people are able to participate in a consumptive economy, everyone benefits — including big and small businesses. It is in everyone’s interest that we can ensure as many as possible participate in Colorado’s economy. Therefore, economic recovery should focus on inclusivity and break down structural and policy barriers that prevent people from fully taking part in a healthy economy.
While many of us will be unable to attend the MLK Marade because of COVID-19 limitations and restrictions this year, consider participating in a virtual event to honor and celebrate the great man’s legacy.
Finding inspiration in these dark times keeps the momentum moving, and there is no shortage of inspiration to be found in the life, words and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King.
With that, we wish you a contemplative and peaceful MLK Day.
-Tiffani Lennon, J.D., LL.M.
Recent articles
A Summary of Pro-Tenant Bills in the 2023 Legislative Session, Part 1
Protections for renters are important for Colorado. Pro-tenant policies lead to greater housing stability, particularly for our lowest income households. They also can help prevent displacement and the process of gentrification – changing the character of a...
Myths & Facts: Ending Colorado’s Unconstitutional Sponsorship Law
In the mid-90s, President Bill Clinton famously promised to “end welfare as we know it,” by capping the number of years for eligibility and imposing restrictions for certain public benefits. Non-citizens were hit particularly hard as part of that misguided goal as...
Part 2: What is Credit Reporting, and How Does It Harm People with Medical Debt?
Accessing and maintaining good credit is essential to achieving economic mobility. However, a derogatory mark on a credit report can likewise significantly harm one’s life. When an individual struggles to pay off medical debt, the resultant poor credit report can...
March Letter from Bethany Pray, Interim Executive Director
March brings change. The session is nearing the halfway point, the sub-zero temperatures are over in Denver — we hope! — and over the next four weeks, the thousands of fiscal decisions that go into the budget will come together and the legislative landscape will begin...