Purpose

To promote the collective actions necessary to advance equity and justice in Colorado’s systems and policies in issue areas aligned with League positions.

This is a sub-committee of the Healthcare Task Force.

The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force's purpose is to inform and engage members across the state to promote collective actions around gun violence prevention issues as they are strongly aligned with a stated League position(s). By increasing the understanding and importance of this issue through education, this Task Force hopes to  influence public policy and legislation at all levels through advocacy, while speaking with one League voice. 

The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force coordinates with local Leagues and other organizations advocating for policies in this area. They will organize webinars, workshops and presentations on major topics of interest within the gun violence prevention subject area and promote justice and equity through advocacy at all levels of government. They are closely aligned with the efforts of the LWVCO Legislative Action Committee and the LWVUS to ensure cohesion.  

LWV Positions on Gun Violence Prevention

On Public Safety: Ensuring the protection of the public by safeguarding people from crimes, disaster, and other potential dangers and threats. 

On Gun Control or Gun Safety: We must address the dangers of gun violence and enact comprehensive legislation towards gun reform. 

Committee Liaisons to the LAC:
Maud Naroll, Rionda Osman

Board & Staff:
Anne McGihon (LWVCO Board of Directors)
Andrea Wilkins (LWVCO staff Legislative Liaison)
Beth Hendrix (LWVCO Executive Director)

Current Partners: Colorado Ceasefire, Giffords, & Moms Demand Action

Past Events

Dr Emmy Betz, Founding director Firearm Injury Prevention

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

The ERPO Law in Colorado

with Rachel Dane, Esq.

25 October 2023

Rachel Dane, Esq. is a staff attorney at Bridge to Justice who spearheads their Pathways From Violence Initiative, which is Colorado's first program that provides free attorneys for clients requesting Extreme Risk Protection Orders ("ERPOs"). Rachel provides training on ERPOs to attorneys, mental health practitioners, concerned community members, and the general public throughout Colorado. She has been litigating safety issues for eight years through her work with survivors of domestic violence and brings a wealth of knowledge about the real world experiences of people threatened by firearm violence. Rachel will provide an overview of the ERPO law in Colorado, data on how it's being applied, and examples of how it affects the lives of Coloradans.

View the video  here.

Using What Works to Prevent Gun Violence

with Dr. Beverly Kingston, Director of the University of Colorado's Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence

20 September 2023

Research consistently finds that a comprehensive approach to violence prevention offers the greatest potential for preventing violence. This presentation describes the current violence problem, defines the key components of a comprehensive approach to violence prevention, and provides ways to implement this approach in schools and communities. Beverly Kingston, Ph.D., is director and senior research associate at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her research focuses on addressing the root causes of violence by creating the conditions that support healthy human development throughout the life course.