Setting the Climate for Legislative Change: Letter Writing to Editors and Law Makers

Start: 2021-09-28 11:00:00 UTC Mountain Daylight Time (US & Canada) (GMT-06:00)

End: 2021-09-28 12:00:00 UTC Mountain Daylight Time (US & Canada) (GMT-06:00)

This is a virtual event

It's time for a change! Colorado needs everyone who wants to participate in the economy to be able to do so.  Older workers were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic and left the labor market at historic rates. COVID-19 compounded the ever-present ageism that already makes work at age 50+ more precarious.

During "normal times", workers age 50+ already face long-term unemployment at nearly twice the levels of other workers. Plus, older workers:
  • are more likely to become discouraged and drop out of the workforce;
  • are more likely to take jobs that pay less than their previous job;
  • are less likely to receive training; and
  • are more likely to have not searched for a job in a long time.

Inequalities associated with gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability combine with ageism to create greater barriers to work opportunities, adding to financial strains today and retirement insecurities tomorrow.

Changing the Narrative, Bell Policy Center, Colorado Center for Aging, along with many others, will be working to create meaningful policies to support older works in the 2022 legislative session. Specifically, we'd like to strengthen the consequences for workplace age discrimination and prohibit employers from asking for graduation dates on applications. And, we need your help!

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP?

We can spread the word about the importance of this legislation to all Coloradans. We can use our voices and share our stories to create a climate that is ready to support and champion this vital change in 2022.

In this workshop you will learn:

  • The components of an effective letter to influence.
  • How to tailor letters to both editors and legislators.
  • How to personalize your letters based on your values and your unique relationship to the issue.
  • How to clearly state solutions and the actions the reader needs to take.

Leave with the tools and resources you need to take action, as well as connection to the larger community of people like you who want to make Colorado an age-inclusive place.

REGISTER NOW: The workshop is free, but you must register in advance.

Spots are limited, so please sign up quickly using the form to the right. We'll send you Zoom log in information 24 hours before the workshop, and again the day of.