Category: Uncategorized

NOTE: ClimateCon! is a conference celebrating climate innovation and inspiring action. I founded ClimateCon! in 2023. This is the letter I’m sending the ClimateCon! community.

Dear ClimateCon! Community,

For over 2 years, as I’ve built this ClimateCon! community, I’ve worked hard to keep politics at the edge of these conferences, not front and center. Even as the disastrous election of last November unfolded, I kept it down. Way down. As the environmental consequences have taken shape, it has been harder and harder to keep politics at bay. Increasingly, I find it harder to keep my mouth shut. My tongue needs stitches over here, I’m biting it so hard and so frequently.
The fact is, my party, the Democratic Party, fucked up. And I don’t mean they kind of fucked up. They made the Mistake of the Century.
One core reason is that they have drifted away from working people, ever entranced by the money of the rich always hanging around with the powerful.
I’m running for office to offer the voters of Commerce City and Welby a chance to push the party back to it’s working class roots.
As many of you know, I work from 3am-9am as a Pre-Loader at UPS. It’s a union job. The Teamsters ensure us all both dignity at work and top notch health care at home. We get both not because of the kindness of company executives and shareholders. We are able to protect our rights and our families because of hard won demands from our rank and file workers, standing in unison behind a powerful union.
We work hard for low pay. But we get to do so with our dignity in tact and our health protected.
I’m running to represent the half of us who struggle to live on income below the median, which in Commerce City was $73,578 for an individual last year. For good or for bad, I find myself below median income once again. Like most of my life.
My race will be concluded on June 30th. The Democratic Party will have a primary here in the 32nd, which is all of Commerce City, Welby and a few other precincts. This district is heavily Democratic. Republicans don’t always even bother to field a candidate, and when they do, they lose mightily. Suffice to say, at the risk of sounding arrogant, that whoever wins the primary on June 30th will be our Representative here in Commerce City for the next 8 years when they will be termed out.
Party primaries are unique beasts. Most people don’t want to get into politics to begin with. When they do, it’s easier to put on your blue or your red and take a stand against the other side. General elections are clear and stark. Primaries are murky and can get ugly quickly.
A primary usually comes down small, almost trivial differences on policy. It can be determined by a small vote margin on a low voter turnout. Like 10-15% voter turnout.

It can swing on a better financed operation running a better ground game. But because primaries are intra-party, most people stay on the sidelines, and money is usually very hard to come by.
You can learn more about my nascent campaign at www.ScanlonForColorado.com. I’d be honored if you could donate $25 or $450. I’ve got a 10 month run, all or nothing, on an 8 year stint at the Capitol.
As you would expect, sustainability and climate action will be core issues for me.
Lastly, the campaign is hiring, if you know a young professional looking to continue or start in politics working hard for low pay have them email me at michael@scanlonforcolorado.com. Learn more here: www.ScanlonForColorado.com

Keep being awesome!

Love,
Michael

With the recent cuts to health care funding by the Trump Administration and his stooges in Congress (see Evans, Gabe) it is now more important than ever that we support the local, grassroots medical facilities that don’t turn away people over money.

Enter Kids First.

 https://www.kidsfirsthealthcare.org/  

With 8 clinics across Adams County – including 6 in schools – Kids First is providing health care to thousands of Adams County youth who wouldn’t get care otherwise.

You are invited to the BACK TO HEALTH -Kids First Breakfast on September 18^th, 2025, at Adams City High School (7200 Quebec Way, Commerce City, CO),  7:30 am.  There is no cost to attend.   There will be updates regarding Kids First continued growth to support Adams County children. 

This year Kids First opened a new pediatric primary care clinic inside of an affordable housing complex to serve the children of Westminster.  This is their second year-round clinic to serve ages birth to 21.

The speakers will be Dr. Tonia Lopez and her parents Tony and Dottie Johnson.  Dr. Lopez is a current board member of Kids First but more importantly a former client of Kids First.  Tonia is a graduate of Adams 14.  Tonia went on to become a teacher, asst. principal and a senior member of the Adams 14 organization.  Now she is a proud principal in the Jeffco School District.  The Johnsons have lived, worked, and supported the Commerce City Community for over 30 years.  The family story is a true testament of how Kids First impacts the lives of the community.

Although I can’t attend this breakfast due to a work conflict, I have just donated to this vital community health care provider. I hope you will too.

I’m seeking a Campaign Manager to lead my campaign for Colorado House District 32. This is a great entry-level opportunity for a motivated individual looking to start a career in Democratic politics in Colorado.

About the Campaign

I’m a working stiff, a Teamster, and a father of four, running to bring the Democratic Party back to its roots: representing the working families who built this country. My campaign is focused on a clear, powerful message that prioritizes the struggles of everyday Coloradans over the concerns of the wealthy elite. We’re building a grassroots approach and a dedicated team that’s ready to fight for our district.

Job Description and Responsibilities

As Campaign Manager, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day operations and tactics of a small-scale, grassroots political campaign. This is a role for a self-starter who can wear multiple hats.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Fundraising: Executing a fundraising plan, including managing donor outreach (building dial lists for me and organzing the database), organizing events, and ensuring we meet our financial goals – which will ensure your bonuses.
• Volunteer Coordination: Recruiting, training, and managing our team of dedicated volunteers for canvassing, phone banking, and events.
• Communications: Working with the candidate to craft and disseminate our campaign message through press releases, social media, and email.
• Event Planning: Organizing and managing campaign events.
• Administrative: Managing the campaign budget and database and ensuring all activities are compliant with state election laws.

Qualifications and Compensation

The ideal candidate is highly organized, a strong communicator, and passionate about the Democratic Party’s core values. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in all facets of a political campaign.

• Compensation: The position pays a low monthly salary, with the potential for additional monthly bonuses based on fundraising performance.
• Experience: Prior campaign or political experience is a plus, but not required. We are looking for someone with a strong work ethic who is eager to learn and grow. The ideal candidate has social media savvy.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining why you want to join this campaign to info@scanlonforcolorado.com. Do NOT use AI to write your cover letter. I can use AI, you can use AI, and we’re gonna use a lot of AI. This Ad was mostly AI written. I want your cover letter to tell me about you. Videos also accepted.

What I Stand For by Michael Scanlon
It would be easy to write an anti-Trump screed to define myself here in 2025.
But I’m going to assume you know I’m opposed to President Trump and his policies – and you’re absolutely right! Instead, I’m going to share my beliefs.
I’m gonna start in the deep end and go in random order:
1 I believe in univeral health care. Where universal means everyone.
2 I believe we have one planet, and we’re living against it, and we need to start living in harmony with Mother Earth because there is no Planet B.
3 I believe in justice. Real justice, not purchased justice for the rich and justice denied for the rest of us.
4 I believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s the equity that gets them all worked up. Another reason why you need a union.
5 I believe in unions. I believe in the free flow of capital. I’m a capitalist. I believe capital should be allowed to congonlomerate in any fashion it’s owner(s) choose. For us working stiffs, that’s our labor. These two hands might be the only capital we’ve got. We have the right to organize, associate and sell our labor any way we like. Union For All!
6 I believe in free markets. The science and the data have shown time and time again that a command and control economy will never be the most efficient and the most prosperous. Regardless what the Great Leader commands.
7 I oppose hatred in all its forms. Whether that’s hating people for being transgender or hating people for smoking cannabis, all hatred is harmful and wrong.
8 I believe in a great public education system. Not adequate. Not good. America at it’s best is an America with an amazing public education system. P-12+.
9 I believe in immigration. Let’s fix this broken system once and for all. We’re a nation of immigrants for God’s sakes!
10 I believe Coloradoans have the right to expect security in their homes and workplace, their schools and their shops.
11 I believe in a strong national defense. And I believe in rewarding, not ignoring, our military veterans. Veterans have unique needs. They deserve better. We owe them.
12 I believe in freedom, whether you’re a woman seeking an abortion, or a stressed our working guy seeking a little cannabis relief at the end of (another) long week of work, you’re entitled to freedom of choice. The government needs to be scaled back.
13 I believe the Democratic Party needs to get back to working people as our front and center priority. We must keep working folks top of mind in all policy decisions.