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Paid Family Leave Benefits available for Colorado Workers

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Paid Family Leave Benefits available for Colorado Workers

New Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Approves Benefits for Early Workers Needing Temporary Time Off from Work

Colorado workers who have been waiting for a state solution to paid family and medical leave are getting the program they voted for this week. The Department of Labor and Family Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Division Colorado Employment announced today that the state’s first FAMLI claims will begin tomorrow and payments will go to workers next week so they can temporarily take time away from their jobs. Starting tomorrow, Colorado’s Paid Leave FAMLI can be used for life events such as the arrival of a new child, caring for a serious health condition, or caring for a loved one with a serious health problem.

Colorado is the first state to establish a paid leave program through a public vote, rather than through the legislature. FAMLI launched the Colorado application portal (called My FAMLI+ ) in late November so that workers who need permits right at the beginning of 2024 can file their claims early.

  • “We are proud to have created a claims application system that makes it as easy as possible for Colorado workers to access this important benefit,” said FAMLI Division Director Tracy Marshall. “Most Coloradans have been paying FAMLI premiums for a year, and we are very pleased to have reached this important milestone of issuing our first round of benefit payments.”

As of December 31, Colorado has filed 5,213 claims. Among them, 3,262 have been approved.

  • 68.00 percent of the claims were to establish an emotional bond with a new child.
  • 25.03 percent of claims were to treat a serious health condition.
  • 6.02 percent of claims were to help a loved one facing a serious health condition.
  • 0.74 percent of claims were to address their own health and safety needs following sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment or stalking.
  • 0.19 percent of claims were for needs arising from a family member’s active military service.

The first round of approved wage replacement benefit payments will be distributed the week of January 8. Applicantscanchoosetoreceivetheirpaymentsdirectlyinto a bank account or on a reloadable debit card. Individuals who have filed a claim in advance will need to log into their My

FAMLI+ account to inform the Division that their leave has officially begun before receiving their first benefit payment. As a reminder, anyone who works for an employer that uses an approved private insurance plan should talk to their employers about applying for benefits under that plan instead of filing a claim through the State’s My FAMLI+ portal.

To help everyone navigate the process and get answers to their questions about applying for FAMLI benefits, the FAMLI Division has hosted two upcoming virtual state forums in English and Spanish:

  • In January, on the 10th : English: 11 am – 12 pm Spanish: 3 – 4 pm
  • In February, day 1 : English: 11 am – 12 pm Spanish: 3 – 4 pm

Details on registration and the Zoom broadcast are available.

For more information, visit famli.colorado.gov where you will find how-to videos , a user guide , webinars, and FAQs to help you navigate the program.

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

What’s Happening?

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What’s Happening?

Community

Pressing for Change: Located in the heart of the Arts District on Santa Fe, the Center for Visual Art is the off-campus art gallery of Metropolitan State University of Denver, examining current issues through contemporary art. In addition to showing significant contemporary art, the award-winning CVA serves as an interactive art laboratory for both MSU Denver students and the community. The CVA is free and open to the public and offers a full schedule of changing exhibitions of significant local, regional and international contemporary art. Tours are available upon request. Group size limitations are based on the current exhibition. Artists in the exhibition examine the state of our vulnerable environment, either directly or through its effects on culture and identity, and the changing world. These multidisciplinary artists have printmaking at the core of their artmaking practice. Pressing for Change was curated by Melanie Finlayson. The exhibition will be on view January 5 – March 23, 2024 at Center for Visual Art, MSU Denver.

Photo courtesy: MSU Denver

Satisfy your science curiosity during our SCFD Free Days and Free Nights. No need to reserve your Free Day or Free Night ticket ahead of time online. Walk up anytime during Free Days or Free Nights and gain access to the Wildlife Halls or our permanent exhibitions. Feel free to reserve an online ticket if you’d like to visit a temporary exhibition, the planetarium or Infinity Theater. The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District is a voter-approved special district in the seven-county metro area that provides a stable source of supplemental funding to more than 300 scientific and cultural organizations inside the district’s boundaries. The SCFD collects a one-tenth of 1 percent sales-and-use tax (or one penny on every $10 spent), providing approximately $40 million each year to area cultural attractions both small and large.

Que Pasa? is compiled by La Voz Staff. To submit an event for consideration please email attractions@lavozcolorado.com with Que Pasa in the subject line by Friday at 5 p.m.

RTD launching systemwide lower fares

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RTD launching systemwide lower fares

Standard Monthly Pass $88; Discount Monthly Pass $27

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) implemented a new systemwide fare structure on Jan. 1. This is the first time the agency has lowered fares for all RTD services. The change is a result of a yearlong fare study and equity analysis aimed at creating a fare structure that is more equitable, affordable and simple. The updated fare structure was adopted by RTD’s Board of Directors in July.

RTD’s new fare structure includes:

Standard fare:

• $2.75 for a 3-Hour pass (no Airport)
• $5.50 for a Day Pass (no Airport)
• $10 for an Airport Day Pass (good for travel across the system including to/from the Airport)
• $88 for a Monthly Pass (includes Airport)

Discount fare:

• $1.35 for a 3-Hour Pass
• $2.70 for a Day Pass
• $27 for a Monthly Pass
• All Discount fare products include travel to/from the Airport

Customers who qualify for Discount fare are seniors 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients and individuals enrolled in LiVE, RTD’s income-based fare discount program

Access-a-Ride

• $4.50 for one-way standard fares
• The regional fare is being eliminated
• $19 for one-way to the Airport
• $27 for six-ride ticket books

In March, the 50 percent LiVE discount will become available to Access-a-Ride customers

LiVE program

• LiVE participants’ discounts increase to 50 percent

Customers can exchange 2020-2023 unused tickets at RTD sales outlets (up to 20 ticket books) or by mail through Jan. 31, 2024. Visit the RTD ticket exchange page for complete information (https://www.rtd-denver.com/fares-passes/).

Making connections easy

Customers can use RTD’s Trip Planner and Next Ride web apps to plan trips in advance and see bus locations in real time. To anonymously report safety and security concerns use the Transit Watch app . For the latest details about service, sign up for Service Alerts. RTD’s Customer Care division is available 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays at 303.299.6000.

Photo courtesy: RTD Facebook

Our Government

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Our Government

White House

A Proclamation on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2024: More than 27 million people around the world endure the abhorrent abuse of human trafficking and forced labor, including thousands of people right here in the United States. It is a threat to global security, public safety, and human dignity. During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we reaffirm our commitment to ending these predatory crimes at home and across the globe. In 2021, I signed an updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, outlining my Administration’s efforts to prevent trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, and protect survivors. The plan reflects our commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable among us, and it is a foundation for our work to ensure safe, orderly, and humane migration. Federal agencies are today working closely with governments and organizations around the world to address the root causes of trafficking, bring traffickers to justice, and support survivors as they recover and rebuild their lives.

Colorado Governor

Governor Polis, in partnership with the State Legislature and Department of Local Affairs, announced the IIJA and IRA Grant Writing and Technical Assistance Program to help local governments access funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). “We want to ensure that Colorado continues to punch above our weight in drawing down critical federal funds. By offering support for grant writing and project planning, local governments and Tribes will have more tools to access funding and create a stronger future for our great state,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Denver Mayor

Mayor Mike Johnston announced that more than 850 people experiencing homelessness have been connected to stable housing and support services since the start of his House1000 initiative. The city has also permanently closed eight of Denver’s largest encampments. These areas will be permanently closed to camping. This week, individuals living at two additional encampments will be offered safe and stable housing with wraparound services at converted hotel units and micro-communities. “This is an exciting and historic week for Denver,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “By providing stable housing and closing encamp- ments, we are transforming the lives of our neighbors and revitalizing the core of our neighborhoods. This milestone is a huge win for the people of Denver and represents crucial progress toward our goal to bring 1,000 people indoors before the end of the year.”

A Week In Review

Joseph Rios
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A Week In Review

Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo declares winner in election

The Democratic Republic of Congo declared President Felix Tshisekedi winner of the country’s presidential election. He won nearly 73 percent of the vote, and the election was extended because of logistical problems. Many polling stations opened late, and 30 percent of voting machines did not work on the first day of the vote.

United Nations peacekeepers leave Mali

For the first time in 10 years, the United Nations is removing peacekeepers from Mali. The United Nations deployed peacekeepers after an armed rebellion took place. The country’s ruling military asked the United Nations to remove peacekeepers in Mali. It was the United Nations’s second deadliest mission worldwide as around 310 peacekeepers were killed.

Asia

North Korea continues military efforts

Throughout 2023, North Korea continued to ramp up its military through nuclear weapon tests and spy satellites. The country is planning to launch three more spy satellites next year. In November, North Korea put a spy satellite into space and claimed to photograph major U.S. and South Korea military sites. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un promised his efforts would lead to “fundamental change” in South Korea in 2024.

India reaches the moon

During the summer, India successfully reached the lunar south pole region of the Moon, an area that no one had reached before. India joined other countries like the U.S., the Soviet Union and China who all achieved a soft landing on the moon. The country also carried out an observation mission to the sun and a key test flight ahead of a mission to send astronauts into space in 2025.

Europe

Russia continues Ukraine invasion

Throughout the year, headlines in Europe and throughout the world were dominated by news of Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine. In his end of the year speech, Russia President Vladimir Putin called for united support of his army without referring to the war in Ukraine. He also did not mention the thousands of Russian casualties in the war with Ukraine. Putin announced he would stand for a fifth term in office this year as well.

Finland/Sweden join NATO

On April 4, Finland became the 31st country to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. After the invasion of Ukraine, countries like Finland and Sweden abandoned their policy of military non-alignment. Turkey leadership had previously stalled Sweden’s joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, saying it was concerned the country was harboring militants. Those concerns were set aside, and Sweden will join the organization in early 2024.

Latin America

Amazon drought intensifies

The Amazon rainforest continued to see troubling signs this past year as it experienced its worst drought on record. This caused many villages to become unreachable by river, started wildfires, and killed wildlife. Scientists have expressed fear that the forest is heading toward a point where it dries, breaks apart, and becomes a savannah.

Migrants continue to leave Mexico

Over the 12 months ending in October, around 180,000 Mexican migrants crossed the border into the United States. That is four times more than the previous year as many Mexicans sought to escape violence and economic hardships. It is unknown how many of those migrants will be able to stay in the U.S. legally, and over the last 20 years, immigrant courts denied 85 percent of asylum claims by Mexican applicants.

North America

Submarine lost at sea leaves five dead

Over the summer, the world’s attention turned to the submersible called the Titan that carried five people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. However after its launch, the submarine was lost at sea. Due to only a 96-hour supply of oxygen, officials carried out a large search for the vessel in the North Atlantic. Sadly, the United States announced it had found a debris field from the Titan.

Trump indicted four times

Former President Donald Trump dealt with legal issues all throughout 2023. He was indicted on four felony counts related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and on 13 felony counts in Georgia for alleged election interference. He was also indicted on 34 felony counts in New York over hush money payments to a porn star. Finally, Trump was also indicted on 40 felony counts in Florida for possession of classified documents and for hindering the government’s efforts to retain those documents.

Colorado rules Trump is ineligible to run

Ernest Gurulé
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Colorado rules Trump is ineligible to run

The 4-3 decision by the Colorado State Supreme Court that determined former president Donald Trump did commit an act of insurrection rendering him ineligible for a place on Colorado’s presidential primary ballot was intended to clear the matter up. It didn’t. In fact, it created a division that had even hardcore Trump detractors dissenting with the court’s decision and many of his most ardent supporters agreeing with it.

Last Tuesday’s ruling was historic. No state has ever barred a presidential candidate from a place on the ballot under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. So unprecedented is the ruling that it will almost certainly be left up to the U.S. Supreme Court to make a final determination.

The four justices affirming that Trump should be left off the ballot for his role in the insurrection were Justices Richard L. Gabriel, Melissa Hart, Monica Márquez and William W. Hood III. Those dissenting were Chief Justice Brian Boatright, Justice Carlos Samour and Justice Maria Berkenkotter.

To reach this point, one must first know the name Norma Anderson. She is the ‘Anderson’ in the now historic Anderson v Griswold case taken up by the state Supreme Court. Anderson, for newcomers to Colorado, once rode herd over the state’s Republicans in both houses of the state legislature. She was also well respected on both sides of the aisle for her leadership and political skills in getting things done. Griswold is Gena Griswold the Colorado Secretary of State whose office is responsible for the names on state election ballots.

A Republican to her core, Anderson said that January 6th, 2021, a day when she, like millions of others, was glued to news coverage of the attempted siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, was an insurrection inspired by and at the behest of Donald Trump. The state’s high court ruling only confirmed what she saw.

“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was all day long,” she said in a recent phone interview. “I cried. What is going on? That’s our democracy.” What made the painful images on the television screen even more searing, Anderson remembered, was Trump’s inaction.

“The president is the only one who calls out the National Guard and he did not do it. He sat there and enjoyed it. I was livid.”

Because of the historic nature of the ruling, as well as a massive difference of opinion on whether or not Trump’s actions—or inaction—rise to the level of insurrection, the case has created some odd bedfellows.

For example, Maryland Democratic Congressman and constitutional scholar Jamie Raskin and retired federal judge and Republican J. Michael Luttig, the man former Vice President Pence consulted before certifying votes for the 2020 Presidential Election, agree with the ruling. Disagreeing are former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill and former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr who call it a victory for Trump.

The Court’s decision has created a Colorado conundrum. Griswold, you see, must create ballots for the state’s presidential primary scheduled for March 5th. But not knowing if the state’s high court ruling is upheld and Trump is allowed on the ballot has forced her to wait until January 4th before she can greenlight the primary’s ballot. Without word from the U.S. Supreme Court, Griswold and the rest of the nation must remain in a fog. A number of other state’s are now weighing the same questions as the one Colorado’s high court just decided.

“If the case is either denied a hearing by the Supreme Court or the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is affirmed by the Supreme Court, Donald Trump will be ineligible to be on the ballot,” said the Secretary of State’s office in replying to a LaVozColorado question. “Voters,” it added, “would not be able to cast a ballot for Donald Trump in Colorado and write-in votes for Trump would not be counted.” Trump, said Griswold’s office, “has not filed any paperwork to be considered a write-in candidate.” Griswold has said she will follow whatever court decision is in place when it is time to certify ballots.

Both Griswold and Anderson said that they have been the targets of either threats or hate-filled messages following the historic ruling. Immediately after Anderson v. Griswold was filed, Griswold said death threats began rolling in. Griswold counted 64 actual death threats and 900 non-lethal threats of abuse. But the reality is that Griswold had nothing to do with the filing. It was Anderson’s group, which included four Republicans and two Democrats who filed the suit.

Anderson, who wears her Republican convictions proudly, said she has received plenty of calls but none from ‘a Republican’. “My party, (the one) I was born in, raised in, worked in, and elected by was a party that believed in strong business, strong economy, strong defense,” she said. “I was proud of being a world power and that’s all gone.” The party she once served, she said, is Trump’s party. She said, her critics and Trump’s people, call her a RINO, Republican in Name Only.

While there has been plenty of speculation about what comes next following Colorado’s momentous court ruling, there has been silence from the Supreme Court. But it may boil down to a few realistic options. Most agree that the most likely option would be the Supreme Court overruling the Colorado decision.

Preparing the next generation of DJs

Joseph Rios
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Preparing the next generation of DJs

Mario “DJ Chonz” Rodriguez has had a long, illustrious career DJing for several radio stations and working alongside popular hip hop artists.

Photo courtesy: DJChonz Instagram

Born and raised in Denver, Rodriguez has worked for several Denver radio stations, including KS 107.5 where he was on the air weekends, afternoons and nights. After leaving the station, he did some mixing for Flow 107.1 mixing before leaving broadcasting in 2022. His career has included shows from opening up for hip hop artists Drake and Lil Wayne to touring with the Wu-Tang Clan. But now, the long-time Denver DJ is focused on the next generation of DJs.

In 2018, Rodriguez and his wife Brenda Rodriguez started the Denver DJ School with his former business partner, DJ Stacks. Located at 1339 W. 38th Ave., the Denver DJ School is focused on empowering and supporting the community in fostering entrepreneurship and skills needed through the art of DJing.

DJ classes are offered to beginners and those who are more advanced in DJing with the goal of helping DJ’s careers advance to the next level. The school also offers courses in podcasting and music production.

“We hope (our students) are satisfied, and that we can provide the knowledge to pursue (DJing) as a career and that they will have all the proper tools to be successful. We’re a DJ school, we sell all the equipment, anything you need to be in the business,” said Rodriguez. “We’re a 360 shop. We can tell you what equipment to buy, and no one needs to go anywhere except stay at the Denver DJ School. They know we’re going to give them the best deal we can and give them the best opinion.”

Outside of his Denver DJ School location, Rodriguez has brought DJ courses, music production lessons, and podcast- ing classes to middle school students at Lake Middle School where he oversees the school’s Multi-Media Department.

In his classes at Lake Middle School, students are reading and writing daily, and they’re learning how to communicate in public, Rodriguez said.

“What we’re doing is we’re doubling down on the language arts and the mathematics. They’re learning these subjects without even knowing it,” said Rodriguez. “It’s kind of phenomenal what we’re doing on the middle school level.”

Rodriguez noted that other schools have expressed interest in his curriculum. And while he has enjoyed his DJing career, Rodriguez hopes to positively impact the younger generation through the courses he offers.

If you or someone you know is interested in the Denver DJ School visit denverdjschool.com call 720-615-0009.

“There is nothing better than creating something from nothing. That means if you start a night, and there’s no one on the dance floor, and you cultivate a party and a vibe, you create that,” said Rodriguez. “That’s the best part. You can create the vibe you want. It’s obviously not as easy as that, but if people are going for a specific event to listen to you and what you do, and you can create that vibe — it’s a pretty cool feeling.”

Colorado fans always have the Avs and Nuggets to fall back on

Brandon Rivera
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Colorado fans always have the Avs and Nuggets to fall back on

The luxury of having two recent championship teams in the City of Denver is one that makes cheering for a team like the Broncos an easier pill to swallow.

Over the weekend the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Phoenix Coyotes at Ball Arena on Saturday night. The Avs had previously defeated the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night 6-4 in Denver where Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen accounted for all of Colorado’s 6 points with Mackinnon chalking up 5 points in that game.

On Saturday night the Avs added another check to the win column when they defeated the Arizona Coyotes. The Avs dominated in the first two periods scoring all four of their goals before Arizona finally got on the board with a single goal in the third.

The Avs will be in Arizona to face the Coyotes again this week before heading to St. Louis to face the Blues on Friday (December 29th at 6 p.m.). Colorado returns to Denver this weekend to host the Sharks on New Years Eve (Sunday, December 31) at 6 p.m.

The Denver Nuggets have won five of their last six games; their most recent win came against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas day. Stephen ‘Steph’ Curry and Warriors came to Denver after also winning five of their last six hoping to extend their lead after three straight wins at home to the Portland Trailblazers, the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics.

Despite not having one of their top defensive players Draymond Green who was suspended indefinitely after slapping Jusuf Nurkic two weeks ago, the Warriors kept it close and actually led heading into the half.

The Nuggets out-scored the Warriors in both the third and fourth quarters beating the Warriors 120-114 on Christmas Day, giving the fans in Denver a cheerful present.

The only teams to not offer cheer to the fans for the holidays were the Denver Broncos. On Sunday the Broncos hosted the 3-11 New England Patriots a team they were expected to beat on their path to the postseason.

Photo courtesy: Empower Field at Mile Hi Twitter

Unfortunately for Denver fans the Patriots spoiled Denver’s hopes while fans got to see first hand, in real time their chances of making it to the playoffs slowly diminish with each passing quarter. Both teams had trouble getting any progress from their offenses with Denver leading 7-3 at the half. By the third the Patriots broke the game wide open scoring 20 unanswered points leading Denver 23-7.

Denver quarterback Russell Wilson lead Denver to two touchdowns with two successful two-point-conversions; however, poor clock management and play calling at the end of regulation put the Patriots in field position for the game winning field goal. Denver lost 26-23, dampening any shot at the playoffs.

The Broncos are now behind the Oakland Raiders who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead on Monday night. The Broncos are at home to host the Chargers this weekend before heading to Las Vegas to play the Raiders in their final game of the season.

New CSU-Pueblo President has deep roots and big dreams of new job

Ernest Gurulé
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New CSU-Pueblo President has deep roots and big dreams of new job

Southern Colorado’s largest institution of higher education has announced the appointment of its 16th president and he is a man who knows the land as well as anyone who has ever held the job. He is Armando Valdez, a native of the San Luis Valley and whose family’s roots in the region date back generations.

Photo courtesy: CSU-Pueblo – News

Valdez, who was the sole finalist for the position, succeeds Dr. Timothy Mottet, who announced his resignation earlier this year after serving in the position for the previous six years. Valdez is currently the Colorado Director for USDA-Rural Development. He is also the president of his family’s ranching and cattle operation in Capulin, Colorado, Valdez Land & Livestock.

While Valdez will be the 16th president of CSU-Pueblo, his background makes him, perhaps, the most unique individual to ever hold the title. He is a native of the San Luis Valley and can trace his family’s presence to northern New Mexico to the early 1600s. Valdez says his family and a handful of other families moved north arriving in the Valley and Conejos County in the 1860s.

The December 15th announcement naming Valdez the school’s new president was greeted with the unanimous support of many of the state’s political and educational leader, including Governor Jared Polis. Polis praised the selection and said Valdez would lead the university as “an engine of opportunity and growth for Southern Colorado.”

Tony Frank, former president of CSU-Fort Collins and now Chancellor of the CSU system, called Valdez a “solid leader who know this campus and community…and is 100 percent invested in the future of Southern Colorado.”

Valdez’s first day on the job will not take place until February 1st but with his experience serving on the CSU System Board of Governors he has gained ample knowledge of the school. He has chaired the Board since June 2023.

“During my time on the Board of Governors,” Valdez told The Pueblo Chieftain, “I have always admired the hard work, dedication and commitment of the faculty, staff and administrators of CSU Pueblo.”

Hard work is something Valdez knows well. A descendant of a long line of ranchers, Valdez raises cattle, sheep, hay and some grain on his Capulin operation. He also holds the title of assistant professor of management in the Adams State University School of Business. He also serves on a number of boards, including the governing board of Saint Joseph parish, in Capulin, and the church he grew up in.

CSU-Pueblo has been southern Colorado’s higher education launching pad for thousands of young people for nine decades beginning in 1933 when it was a very mod- est three-room junior college. From its humble beginnings, the school has been known by a number of names before assuming its current appellation.

In 1963 it transitioned from Pueblo Junior College, a two-year program, into a four-year institution then known as Southern Colorado State College. As the school grew and new degree granting programs were added, in 1975, it became the University of Southern Colorado. The school adopted its current name in 2003 with the signature of Governor Bill Owens.

CSU-Pueblo is one of Colorado’s Hispanic Serving Institutions, a designation granted when a school has a full-time enrollment of at least 25 percent Hispanic stu- dents. In 2008, it was named the top HIS by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Today, the school has a full-time enrollment of nearly 4,000.

CSU-Pueblo has a Hispanic enrollment of nearly 50 percent and also identifies nearly 40 percent of its enroll- ment as first-generation college students. It is something Valdez can identify with, as he told STATE, the magazine of the CSU System.

“My parents were first-generation college students. So, for my entire life, I’ve been the beneficiary of their opportunity to pursue higher education,” he said. Educating a cohort of students who may be the first to attend college, Valdez believes, is a launch pad to higher earning and greater opportunity but also a key element in shaping the future of communities as business and political leaders.

While winning the endorsement of Governor Polis and CSU Chancellor Frank, Valdez also drew praise from Amy Parsons, President of CSU Fort Collins. Valdez, she said, “is a wonderful and service-minded colleague whose work and leadership on the CSU Board of Governors has been outstanding…CSU Pueblo will benefit from Amando’s longtime experience.”

Outgoing CSU-Pueblo President Mottet’s last day on the job was December 15th. Valdez will serve out the remaining two and a half years of Mottet’s term. At that point the CSU Board of Governors will do an evaluation to determine if Valdez continues in his role as President.

President Mottet announced his intention earlier this year to resign after a six-year tenure. At the end of that 2.5-year term, the Board and Valdez will assess how and whether to move forward.

Birth of Christ lights up the world

David Conde
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Birth of Christ lights up the world
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs

Marshall McLuhan in his generational book, Understanding Media: the Extensions of Man (1964), presents us with the notion that in the electronic age, the medium is the message because it has the ability to manipulate information to reach certain understanding of the world around us. Light as a medium, for example, is most creative when it reveals new images out of the shadows of darkness.

I have heard ministers and preachers talk about Christ as “the light of the world.” They tend to associate this phenomenon with truth in the Christian belief system.

Actually, Jesus’ association with the light is both real and symbolic. He did come as the “light of the world” and much more than that.

Mary’s journey to have the Christ Child in Bethlehem was filled with historic symbols of the past and extremely dark dangers and threats in the present. Giving birth to Jesus in a manger in a small dark town gloriously lit up the place and brought certainty to the notion that the Son of God was at hand.

In one of my literary essays, I analyzed the personal story of a feminine hero named Alejandra in an Argentine novel. One of the major points I made showed how she dealt with obstacles in contrast to her male counterparts.

In the traditional adventure of the hero stories, the male heroes tend to confront, attack and overcome their enemies by force. In the case of Alejandra, she defeated the threatening shadows in a dark room by turning on the light.

Mary did something similar by giving birth to Jesus and thereby “lighting up” the world. The joy of a bright and multicolored Christmas has been the tradition that follows that concept.

In a pre-Colombian site called Xochicalco located close to the City of Cuernavaca, Mexico, there is a cave that when one enters it leads to an ancient observatory where the whole room lights up during the Spring Solstice in March. That light was a signal for farmers to begin planting their crops.

The agricultural society of Christ’s time would not have been any different. “One text from the year 243 CE designates March 25 as the birthday of Jesus. In the Roman calendar the vernal Equinox was set for March 25, the day the Spring begins to triumph over Winter and new life bursts fourth in the realm of nature.”

There were several reason given for the change of Jesus’ birth from the Spring to the Winter Solstice. Among them is that it is a replacement of other pagan holidays that occurred at the same time or the symbolic fact that having the Baby born on the shortest day of the year allowed for the concept of a new beginning.

Another important and powerful reason is that in the longest and darkest night of Winter, Jesus made the dark- ness retreat. The darkness symbolically held the evil things Christ came to defeat.

Be it as it may, we celebrate the birth of the Savior on December 25th with Christmas gifts, gathering of families and the joy that goes with it. The Christmas tree with white or multicolored lights adorning the branches is the center-piece and symbol of the world Jesus was born to construct.

One no doubt notices the halo around the images of the Lord, the Virgin Mary and the saints depicted on walls and canvases. Those halos or sometimes short stripes around the holy figures reflect the light the Baby Jesus brought to the world. Merry Christmas.

The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.

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