Contacts: Coco (CocoInCO@yahoo.com) or Karen Kos (kos@colorado.edu)Meeting schedule:
The Boulder Green Alliance meets the third Sunday of every month, usually in the International Order of Odd Fellows hall above the Boulder Surplus store at 16th and Pearl . Please e-mail kos@colorado.edu for details and location of the next meeting.The Boulder Green Alliance is the local expression of a global movement committed to ten key values:
Statement of PurposeThis list is not of ten seperate issues, but aspects of a coherent, unified world view that is inherently interconnected and contrasts with the current world situation. They convey our commitment to value-based politics--a new politics with a holistic perspective recognizing the interconnection of all life and social processes, and that neither social nor environmental problems can be solved in isolation from each other.
- Ecological wisdom
- Grassroots democracy
- Social justice
- Nonviolence
- Community-based economics
- Decentralization
- Feminism
- Respect for diversity
- Personal and global responsibility
- Future focus
These values are the basis of the Green network of local groups seeking fundamental change. Within The Greens, work is ongoing to refine and clarify these values and to translate them into local action.
In union with other like-spirited individuals and groups, Greens seek fundamental transformation in ourselves, our communities, and our institutions. We work to create a sustainable, healthy community and ecosystem based on the understanding that all life is interconnected and interdependent.
With our planet on the edge of ecological, social and economic breakdown, we seek to restore balance through: local and regional political involvement; mindful, ecological living; and equal empowerment of all, irrespective of species, race, gender, age, class, or sexual orientation. Join us in building a world in which we and future generations will live in dignity and harmony with each other and the earth.
The Boulder Green Alliance is one of hundreds of local groups across the country working to promote Green values. Formed in 1988 from a handful of people excited about working with other like-minded activists, the group eventually grew to have various working and community groups over the years on everything from eco-feminism to deep ecology.
The Boulder Green AllianceWe have sponsored monthly speaker meetings on a regular basis, to educate both the public and ourselves, on a wide range of subjects. In cooperation with many local activist groups, topics have included:
Some of the projects the BGA has been involved in recently include:
- Work and Peace
- Labor and Migrant Workers
- Syntex Chemicals
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- Lakewood Pipeline Project
Currently, the BGA:
- The Living Wage Campaign
- Local Food Store Survey--The BGA conducted extensive interviews of all area food stores, based on our four main values, and published an article in The Daily Camera (7/30/94) to help people translate Green values into action. This was just the first step in creating a local version of a Shopping for a Better World handbook.
- Green ECO/nomics--Developed a platform with local emphasis on a new economics in the areas of: Business; Work; Energy; Agriculture; Town Planning; and Taxation, Currency and Finance.
- Volunteer work with Community Food Share
- Participation at various public hearings--on issues such as Rocky Flats; CO Master Plan 2000 (on transportation); Voting by Phone.
- Participated in the formation of the Green Party of Colorado and the 1994 gubernatorial campaign of Philip Hufford and Krista Paradise. The candidates received 1.7% of the vote (19000 votes).
- Worked for a Charter Amendment for Boulder to replace the current method of replacing City Council members who quit (the amendment passed overwhelmingly in the November '96 election)
- Helped to get Ralph Nader on the ballot for President in 1996 as the candidate of the Green Party of Colorado.
- Supported Will Toor and Don Mock for City Council in Boulder in 1997.
- Opposed the megastore Safeway in North Boulder.
(Local projects are chosen by the members).
- Continues to support state legislation that facilitates ballot access for third parties (see the On-Line Lobbyist Central site for details).
- Is working on local campaign finance reform.
- Has two members on local boards: Mark Ruzzin (Planning Board) and Dean Myerson (Environmental Advisory Board).
- Is participating in the process for redeveloping Crossroads Mall.
Read excerpts from The Village Green, the Boulder Green Alliance newsletter Spring 2001..
Other BGA/Green news:
- BGA Proposes Local Campaign Finance Reform Initiative
- Green Party of Colorado is the first progressive party to get ballot status in Colorado in 84 years!
- TouchStone, Boulder's monthly e-newsletter on community activism and local politics.
- Greens Take City Government (Arcata, CA)
- Green Party Boasts Unsophisticated Appeal
- Green Party Grows (So Does Democrats' Dismay)- New York Times, July '98
We need you to help Green thought take root and grow. If you are interested in getting involved and helping us tackle new community issues, email Coco or Karen Kos to find out about our next meeting. You can play a vital role in making our region Green.
How You Can Get InvolvedA short history of the Green Party and the Green Party of Colorado
Additional sources of information:
Green Party of Colorado platform
Denver Green Party
Poudre Valley Greens
Green Parties of North America
Association of State Green Parties
Federation of the Green Parties of the Americas
Economic Democracy Information Network
EnviroLink
Email the webmaster to comment on this site.For more information on the Boulder Green Alliance, contact Coco.
Last revised: Oct 17, 2001