Happy New Year to all our Weld Dems! I think most of us are saying a big WHEW that 2025 is over. I can hardly believe that so much damage could have been done in so short of a time by one incompetent man, our Demander in Chief. The east wing of the White House isn’t the only thing left in ruins. Health care, the Department of Education, immigration, civil rights protections, the economy and international relations and trade, NCAR here in Colorado, the rule of law and so much more. So many catastrophes, almost too many to think about. After a year like 2025, we can begin to see that folks are getting pretty tired of the chaos, broken promises and quality of life slipping away by the day.
Lately, maybe you have noticed a little spark of change, of rebellion, of hope that seems to be igniting. There is a hint the tide is turning, of a rising blue wave washing away the red. The elections at the end of 2025 were a wake-up call to the dysfunctional administration and a taste of what is to come. Twenty twenty-six is going to be a horse of a different color.
On February 17th, 2026, becomes the year of the Fire Horse! In Chinese astrology the horse is the zodiac’s untamed wanderer. Add to this sign the fire element and the year promises to be an unbridled year of rapid progress, passion and leadership. It is a year that calls us to live boldly and embrace courage and freedom. The fire horse brings us along with rapid unstoppable momentum, moving forward with purposeful intention and action. Sounds like just what the Dems need to blaze a new trail away from the cruel, authoritarian regime we have now.
The last time the year-of-the-fire-horse appeared was 60 years ago in 1966. It was a year of cultural shifts and groundbreaking events. The first episode of Star Trek aired, going where no man has gone before. The Black Panther Party was founded. Miranda rights were established by the Supreme court. The National Organization for Women was founded, The Freedom of information Act was signed into law. The first Gay Rights demonstration took place. The Clean Water Restoration Act passed. The first Super Bowl was played. Space exploration really took off with the space race with the Soviets. The Cultural Revolution in China began. The first Kwanza was celebrated. The first artificial heart was successfully implanted in a human. With the last fire horse year bringing so much change, advancement and success, surely this coming year will be no less transformative.
The year of the fire horse can bring passion-fueled creativity and charisma and collective and successful teamwork. However, on the downside, it could also bring some bucking and chaos. Challenges could include restlessness and difficulty committing, clashing egos and impulsive decisions and something Dems often do, overthrowing structure before building new systems. No matter what the new year brings we can take hope and move with confidence that we can motivate voters. We will make a difference and preserve our Democratic values as we build a better, stronger America for everyone. We will hold accountable those who would undermine the American Dream.
So, what does that mean for the average Weld Dem? We are asking you to be bold, get involved, be a part of something greater than yourself. The first step you can take is to plan on participating in caucus. Help us create momentum. Find out about our current candidates and help us find more qualified candidates for the state house and senate seats that have no one running. Most importantly we must elect precinct leaders to get out the vote. They are the framework, the backbone of the party and we are woefully short of leaders to make our efforts a success. Commit to going on to our Democratic Party Assembly to help our candidates. Make suggestions to our platform committee and select and increase our delegates to the State Assembly. These are basic, grassroots efforts that you, as a concerned Weld resident, should be a part of to make big changes in our county, state and country. Come and find out how the system works, how your voice makes a difference and how you can help us motivate others to vote.
Our Weld County Caucus will be held on March 7. It will be a virtual event that you can participate in from your own home or come down to our office in Greeley if you can’t connect. We will also have help around the county to make sure you can participate. Please watch your email for instructions on how to join and be involved. Also keep in mind that pre-registered young Dems who are 16 years or older may participate in caucus. We will be sending out multiple notices on how to participate, so tell your friends that to join the event, we need their email address. Any Weld Dem can fill out this form. More information about caucus can be found at our website. Please spread the word to other Dems you know. Our assembly will be a week later on March 14th, in person at the DoubleTree in Downtown Greeley. From this assembly, delegates will be chosen to go on to the State Assembly in Pueblo at the end of March.
Get ready. It is going to be a bucking wild ride of a year. We have momentum in our favor. We have strong, educated, experienced, intelligent public-servant candidates that want to make life better for all those in Weld and the country. As Dems, we see you and know that the economy is not good for you. Your healthcare and living expenses are just untenable.
Greeley and Weld have unique challenges that a lot of the other counties around us don’t. The average household income in Greeley is at $63,526, which is 31% less than neighboring counties and the state average. The state average is over $92,911. The poverty rate here is between 14.5 and 15.9%, (depending where you are in the city and county. The national poverty rate is 9.5). Our cost of living here is 1.1 times higher than the national average and 20 percent have or are eligible for Medicaid. We are a city and county of good, hardworking people that don’t deserve the outrageous treatment of our government. We can do something about that this year. It is going to take all of us. So, saddle up people, giddy up and Yee Haw, we are going to make a difference!
Bev Wallace, Vice Chair