Celebrating 11 Years of Faith-Fueled ACTION to End Gun Violence!
May 2026 Digest
Fred Martin of RAWTools, shows Kathleen Brennan, Smoky Hill United Methodist Church, how to forge a gun part into a garden trowel at last summer's G2G picnic.
In this edition of the Digest:
Preview Showings of CFCU's Preventing Firearm Suicides 101
From the Advocacy Team:
A budget bill
Send your GVP Questions for the Upcoming Governor's Debate
In the Media (Emmy Betz on PBS and RAWTools South on NPR)
Guns to Gardens Sponsors A Toy Gun Exchange
Guns to Gardens on May 9 at Most Precious Blood
March Financial Report
CFCU May Calendar
CFCU-Produced Video is Now Ready for Showing:
Preventing Firearm Suicides 101
Lawrence Hermance, MSW
Lauren SinClair, MA, MPA, LPC
Laney Sheffel, MPA
Because over 70% of firearm deaths in Colorado are suicides, the Suicide Prevention/ERPO Public Education Work Group of CFCU’s Public Health Strategies Action Team produced a video about what caring people can do to help prevent firearm suicides. Suicides are preventable, and you don’t have to be a professional to help. While covering key prevention strategies, the video was designed to be less than one hour so it can be shown in congregations at convenient times, like after services.
The video features suicide prevention professionals* talking about:
How to recognize when someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts and what you can do to help
Secure storage strategies to safeguard Individuals and homes
And, as a last resort, how to seek additional help through an ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order).
*The following professionals featured in the video partnered with CFCU on this production and will be present at both previews to answer any questions:
· Lawrence Hermance, MSW, Suicide Prevention Specialist, Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer
· Lauren SinClair, MA, MPA, LPC, Suicide Prevention Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator (CEPC), Cheyenne VA Medical Center
Please join us for a special preview of this new video, Preventing Firearm Suicides 101. We're sure you will find it helpful and hope many will want to bring this to their congregations or community organizations.
The in-person preview will be at B’nai Havurah, 6445 East Ohio St. in Denver. Coffee and refreshments will be provided.
HB26-1410, the State’s budget bill – also called the Long Bill - will head to Gov. Polis after both chambers of the legislature agreed on April 28 to the final version approved by the Joint Budget Committee. Colorado’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) will be $46.8 billion.
Democratic Candidates for Governor Have a Live Debate
Coloradans will elect a new Governor this November. But first, the primary process will determine the candidate from each major party. The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on June 30th. The Democratic primary slate is already set, with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet vying to be the party’s candidate. On May 7, Senator Bennet and AG Weiser will face off during a live debate airing on Denver7 TV at 6 P.M. Moderators will include journalists from The Denver Post, Colorado Public Radio, and Denver7.
Once the Republican candidates for Governor are selected for their primary, the same team of journalists from the three outlets will team up for a debate between those contenders. CFCU will send out the information on that debate when it’s available.
Although CFCU cannot endorse candidates running in primaries or general elections, we encourage you to submit debate questions having to do with the candidates’ positions on gun violence prevention policy issues. As GVP advocates, we’ll want to know their thinking, regardless of the party they represent.
Here are a few sample questions for you to consider:
What steps would you take as Governor to ensure that firearm purchases include strong safeguards to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands?
What steps would you take as Governor to ensure that minors are not able to purchase firearms and drugs on social media platforms?
As Governor, would you support the passage of a law that requires a permit to purchase all forms of firearms, which would include local background checks, fingerprinting, and safety training before someone can buy a gun? Why or why not?
Evidence from states with strong firearm permit-to-purchase laws shows reductions in gun violence. Would you be in favor of adopting these policies in our state? Why or why not?
To submit your question in advance of the May 7 debate:
We’ll also have an opportunity to submit questions to the Republican candidate debate once the slate of primary candidates is determined.
Bill Update
With less than two weeks to go until the General Assembly adjourns on May 13, nine of the 10 bills we addressed this session, either to support or oppose, have completed the legislative process. Two were signed by the Governor, four await signing, and three (really bad) bills were defeated in their first committee hearings. Only one remains in the legislature as of April 30: SB26-043 (Record Keeping & Regulation of Sale of Firearm Barrels).This bill passed its House 2nd reading on March 19, but its House 3rd reading has been postponed daily since March 20. It looks like the Legislature is letting the clock run out on this one. Please see the attachment for more details on the bills.
Emmy Betz's segment begins at minute 29.30 and ends at minute 36.13.
This radio interview is from North Carolina Public Radio and features RAWTools South. It lasts about 4 minutes.
Cultivate nonviolence in the younger generation!
How we play is practice for how we grow! Invite the kids in your life to round up their toy guns and then take them to Lakewood for a unique outing. This event will be fun for everyone with food trucks, activities and opportunities to hammer on a gun barrel at the blacksmith station!
CFCU’s very own Member Congregation, Lakewood UCC, is providing youth volunteers and other support for this event. And each of us can help to make it a success by TAKING ACTION and doing our part to help cultivate nonviolence.
It’s easy! Simply take a few seconds right now - click here and download the flyer. Then print, copy and share! Post it at your local coffee shop or community library. Include it in your congregation’s email newsletter. Share it with your neighbors.
Contact Cheryl Fleetwood at membership@cfcu-co.org with any questions. Otherwise, I’ll hope to see you there on May 16!
Please download and print this flyer! Post it in your favorite coffee shop, library or rec center! Help us get the word out and save lives.
Tuesday, May 5, 2 pm. Advocacy Team meeting on Zoom. For more information, please contact Stephanie at advocacy@cfcu-co.org
Saturday, May 9: 10 AM - 12 PM: Guns to Gardens Safe Disposal Event. Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2200 S. Harrison St, Denver
Saturday, May 16: 11-3: Toy Gun Exchange. Glennon Heights Mennonite Church. 11480 West Virginia Avenue, Lakewood.
Wednesday, May 20: 10:00 - 11:30 AM:In-Person Preview of Suicide 101, at B'nai Havurah,6445 East Ohio St., Denver. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Tuesday, May 19: 3- 5 PM: Steering Committee Meeting on Zoom. For more information please contact Alana Smart (publichealthstrategies@cfcu-co.org)
Thursday, May 21: 9- 10 AM: Communications Meeting on Zoom. For more information, please contact Daryl Foelske to confirm. (dfoelske@gmail.com)
