Celebrating 11 Years of Faith-Fueled ACTION to End Gun Violence!

December 2025 Digest

In this edition of the Digest:

• Take Action:  Remember all Victims of Gun Violence
• Take Action:  Read About and then Volunteer for HIP
• Take Action:  Support CFCU on Colorado Gives Day
• Take Action:  Help Get the Word Out About ERPO
• Take Action:   Contact Senators and Reps to Stop "Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act"
• Take Action:  Volunteer and Spread the Word:  St. Andrews United Methodist Hosts Guns to Gardens December 13
• What to Watch:  All the Empty Rooms 
• CFCU December Calendar

CFCU Members Find Meaning and Impact

Volunteering for Denver’s  Handgun Intervention Program (HIP)

Reverend Deacon Jack Karn and Joan Bradt.  Deacon Karn is the newest HIP volunteer, and Joan is the longest serving.

CFCU volunteers have been involved with this life changing and lifesaving program since its founding in 2021 and now comprise a majority of program volunteers.  HIP helps youth convicted of first-time, non-violent firearm offenses chart a new and safer path through education/training, community support and individualized planning.  Upon successful completion of HIP and probation, their record is expunged. 

For questions or to sign up, contact publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org

WHEN - The 14^th HIP Cohort is  scheduled  to start on January 12  through March 9 on Monday nights from 4:30 – 7:00  (excluding the Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 20) and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 19)

WHERE – First Mennonite Church, 430 W. 9^th Ave. Denver

VOLUNTEER ROLE - As a Community Accountability Board (CAB) member, volunteers meet with youth, their family members and other community volunteers to learn together; build a trust relationship; and develop a plan for a future without guns. 

Here’s what CFCU’s current volunteers say about their HIP experience:

Joan Bradt - Columbine Unitarian Universalist  Church (Joan has volunteered with every HIP Cohort since its founding)

I have been fortunate in my life, receiving benefits and opportunities not everyone gets. In gratitude for this, I want to help others who have not been so fortunate.  While I can - and do - write checks, there is a whole other level when I work with a youth in the HIP program over a period of weeks, offering sympathy, possibly advice, and certainly support as they work to make some life changes.  There is nothing like knowing you are making a positive contribution to someone else’s life.

Bill Binet, Most Precious Blood Parish Catholic Church

The youths and families served by the HIP program volunteers need the reinforcement and encouragement we have for them.  The HIP program is thoughtfully designed to enable volunteers to have a positive impact with those families.

Mary Helen Coughlin, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church

Second chances can strengthen communities. The Handgun Intervention Program presents such unique opportunities for the young participants to hear about positive behavioral changes. Listening to their life stories and helping them reflect on the presentations gives volunteers a chance to guide participants and their families to a more hopeful future. In turn, this second chance program will strengthen all the communities involved.

The Rev. Deacon Jack Karn, Saint John's Episcopal Cathedral

(Rev. Deacon Jack is HIP’s newest volunteer)

HIP is a unique, creative, and powerful program to address gun violence among young people in the Denver area. By offering teens a real second chance, along with mentorship and support services, it embodies a more just and merciful way forward. I am honored to participate in this good work. Excited to join Cohort #14.

Nancy Litwack-Strong, Temple Micah

I volunteer for two reasons.  The program has been proven to be successful in terms of a very high rate of attendees staying out of the justice system after completing the program.  In addition, as an unexpected benefit, it allows me to interact and learn about a segment of our population with whom I usually do not interact, both in terms of the youth and with their parents/family members. 

 Ruth Neil, First Plymouth Congregational Church

In a famous speech in Cape Town South Africa in 1966, Robert Kennedy reminded his audience that in a world full of huge problems, the acts and hopes of a single person can help turn the tide.  That is how I feel about my participation in HIP.  It is a privilege — and a responsibility— to share a bit of a life’s journey with a young person who has taken a wrong turn.  If something I say or do during our brief time together helps this youth choose a better path it’s a blessing for us both.  

Jerry Paul, Montview Presbyterian Church 

HIP is a wonderful program. The young men I have worked with are polite and focused on making positive changes in their lives. Some of the gentlemen have made plans so they will not get in trouble again. Personally, I found the HIP program rewarding  and highly recommend the HIP program to anyone who wants to work with youth. 

Alana Smart, B’nai Havurah

I always learn so much from these youth, their family members and other community volunteers.  They’ve all been good kids with caring and very hardworking families.  They shouldn’t feel the need to carry a gun—all our youth and families deserve safe communities.  HIP is the one place where I feel we can have a direct impact on gun violence by supporting  these youth as they chart a safer path.

Sue Tourjee, Living Light of Peace Mennonite Church

Volunteering for HIP has been very meaningful for me.  I plan to continue doing so.

Colorado Gives Foundation is a community foundation with a mission to make good happen by connecting people, ideas and nonprofits. 

Consider a donation to CFCU during this season of giving.  If you donate through Colorado Gives during December, CFCU will receive an extra portion, based on the percentage of donations we receive, compared to the whole.  

If you make your gift a monthly donation,  Colorado Gives will match your gift up to $100.  Your donation is used to help with the regular expenses of our work as well as providing programing and outreach.   We are grateful for the many donors who keep our work growing.

Help CFCU Inform Educators about New ERPO

(Extreme Risk Protection Order) Training

The 13^th Sandy Hook Anniversary and National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence in December call upon us to honor the victims of gun violence with faith fueled action.  Here’s one project of CFCU’s Public Health Strategies Action Team you can assist by forwarding a single email.

We need your help informing teachers you know (K-12 and college level) about the new ERPO Training curriculum developed by the AG’s office.  Training more educators to spot warning signs and use the ERPO tool when appropriate is a critical step to preventing school tragedies.  And reaching out to just one teacher can plant a seed leading to more teachers at that school  learning about this lifesaving tool.

Please take the time to identify at least one teacher you know personally or indirectly and encourage them to take this one hour training for which they can earn Continuing Education Credits  (My son’s roommate became a teacher so I’m reaching out to him.)

Here’s a sample message you can use or modify for outreach. CFCU is trying to monitor our outreach so please let us know which school(s)/District were contacted at  publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org

Sgt. Kevin Ford, who has worked with ERPO filings for the last two years, spoke to members of the Public Health Strategies Team at the November 19 Meeting.  You can watch the recording of his presentation here.

From the Advocacy Team   

Take Action in Honor of All Victims of Gun Violence!

URGENT!  Please help CFCU to Oppose

Federal House Bill H.R. 38, “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act”

Bill Summary and Background

“This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.”

Sponsored by House Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-9) with 189 co-sponsors, including Representatives Crank, Hurd, and Evans of Colorado.

Currently, 29 states now allow residents to carry loaded concealed firearms without a permit or safety training.   Under H.R.38, individuals from 27 of those states would be allowed to carry weapons anywhere in the country without even a background check. (Two of the 29 states require a background check to purchase some or all firearms.)

Current Status of H.R. 38

The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 18-9 along party lines. It is a high priority bill for the gun lobby and is expected to move relatively quickly through Congress.

Actions We All Can Take to Oppose H.R. 38

Please contact Colorado’s U.S. Senators and your Congressional Representative to ask that they vote against this dangerous bill.  There is no need to contact members of Congress who represent districts other than the one you live in. Below is their contact information, and below that are some talking points. As the bill moves through Congress, we will send updates and other actions to take.

U.S. Senators

Michael Bennet: 303-455-7600,

https://www.bennet.senate.gov

John Hickenlooper: 303-244-1628, https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/email-john/

U.S. House Representatives

Dianna DeGette (CO-1): 303-844-4988, https://degette.house.gov/contact/e-mail-diana

Joe Neguse (CO-2): 303-335-1045,

https://neguse.house.gov/contact

Jeff Hurd (CO-3): 970)-208-0455, https://hurd.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

Lauren Boebert (CO-4): 970-702-2136,

https://boebertforms.house.gov/contact/

Jeff Crank (CO-5): 719-520-0055,

https://crank.house.gov/contact/email-me

Jason Crow (CO-6): 720- 748-7514,

https://crow.house.gov/contact/email-me

Brittany Pettersen (CO-7): 303-274-7944, https://pettersen.house.gov/contact/

Gabe Evans (CO-8): 303-723-6560, https://gabeevans.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

Talking Points

• H.R. 38 would override state laws. 
• H.R. 38 would undermine state sovereignty.
• H.R. 38 would enable people with convictions for violent crimes in their home states to conceal carry in states whose laws would not allow them to.
• H.R. 38 would allow individuals from nearly all permitless carry states to carry concealed weapons nationwide without background checks.
• There is no widely endorsed research that expanding public concealed carry has any public safety benefits.
• H.R. 38 would undermine sensitive spaces laws in CO and other states.
• H.R. 38 would penalize law enforcement officers personally for enforcing state gun safety laws. 

St Andrew United Methodist Church

Hosts Guns to Gardens 

Saturday, December 13

10 AM - 12 PM

9203 S University Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

If you or any family members have an unwanted firearm that you would like to be rid of, consider inviting them to bring their unloaded gun to be disposed of safely.

If you would like to support our effort, please download and print this sign and take it to merchants and friends in. your neighborhood.  

We still need a few volunteers!  Use this link:  Volunteer for G2G at St. Andrew UMC

What to Watch:  All the Empty Rooms

During this season of gatherings with family and friends, many, many families have an empty place at the table, an empty room, and empty hearts.  CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman wrote to every family that lost a child to a school shooting since Columbine.  He visited families and learned about the children who were killed through the lens of their still untouched bedrooms.   He says "The reason I was so drawn to making this film is that it reframes the issue of school shootings by putting the focus on the children who were killed, and on the families who are clinging to the memory of their children through these empty bedrooms. I believe that framing makes it harder for us to ignore this or to look away — that we will never again read a headline about a mass shooting without thinking of the empty rooms. "

You can watch this film on Netflix.

CFCU is a project of Colorado Nonprofit Development Center.  Donations, grants and dues payments are tax deductible.

CFCU Calendar  for December

• Wednesday December 3, 1:30 PM.  Advocacy Meeting on Zoom.  For more information, please contact Stephanie: advocacy@cfcu-co.org
• Saturday, December 13:  10 AM - 12 PM:   Guns to Gardens Safe Disposal Event.   St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch.  
• Tuesday, December 16:  3 - 5 PM:  Steering Committee Meeting on Zoom.  For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
• Thursday, December 18:  11 AM -12 PM:  Communications Meeting on Zoom.    This meeting is tentative, please contact Daryl Foelske to confirm.  (dfoelske@gmail.com)
• Monday, January 12:  4:30 - 7:00 PM:  The 14^th HIP Cohort begins, and runs through March 9 (excepting MLK and Presidents' Day holidays)  For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
  
• Sunday, January 25:  2- 5 pm:  CFCU Leadership Retreat and Strategic Planning Meeting
•  Wednesday, January 28:  10:00 - 11:30 AM:  Public Health Strategies Meeting on Zoom.   For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)

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