East Colfax Community Collective

SUPPORT THE EAST COLFAX COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE (EC3)!

The EC3’s mission is to fight displacement and build collective power in our community to shape our own destiny. We do this through Coalition Building, Policy Advocacy, Community Ownership, and Resource Navigation. EC3 has established itself as the front line of defense against displacement for Small Businesses and Residents of East Colfax and Northwest Aurora.

In 2024 we advanced our mission on multiple fronts through: 

 Property Tax Advocacy–We advanced legislation at state level to allow small business owners to pay their property taxes in 12 installments to reduce the impact of rising taxes from gentrification. We will reintroduce this bill in 2025!

Tenant Organizing–We co-led advocacy and tenant organizing with partners at CBZ apartment complexes in Aurora that stopped hundreds of families from being evicted.

 Community Ownership–We launched the East Colfax Mixed Income Neighborhood Trust, a community governed ownership model focused on acquiring apartments and stabilizing the rents at a significant number of the units to address displacement. We cannot be displaced if we own the block!

Food Security–We built a sustainable Food Business Incubation program teaching local businesses and residents how to start catering businesses in addition, we have partnered with Park Hill United Methodist Church to fund a weekly food distribution program providing culturally sensitive foods and addressing food insecurity.

Public Health Advocacy– We are working with members and partners to build power and pass policies to fix the public health complaint process in Denver and Aurora to address the public health crisis our community is living in the apartments.

International Markets–We are working on strengthening the fabric of our community through our International Markets that celebrate the diversity of East Colfax and NW Aurora and connect local businesses to local residents.

 Membership Process – In 2024, we launched a formal membership model at our 2024 Membership Assembly, which will result in the majority of our Board of Directors being elected by our members by 2026! This demonstrates our commitment to being member-driven and ensuring that our values are reflected in our leadership.

We are so deeply appreciative of your contributions to advance our mission and promise to continue to fight for our values and our community with your support on Colorado Gives Day!

THANK YOU!