Weekly Email 3/16/26

Before we dive in, take 4 minutes to watch this. Heineken's "Open Your World" ad is a brilliant reminder that what we have in common is almost always greater than what divides us. Watch here! 

Dear Restore the Balance Community,

This week, we're taking a step back from the headlines to look at something worth celebrating: a nationwide surge in civic engagement, and what it means for communities like ours right here in Western Colorado.

Topic of the Week: The Rise of Civic Engagement

Over the past decade, the ecosystem around democracy reform and civic engagement has grown rapidly. Dozens of new nonprofits, civic-tech organizations, and grassroots movements have emerged to address voter participation, election rules, and public trust in democratic institutions, ranging from grassroots groups like Restore the Balance to technology platforms and coalitions working to improve transparency and electoral systems.

Why is this surge happening? Researchers and civic leaders point to several factors: growing polarization and dissatisfaction with political institutions; the expansion of digital organizing tools; increasing interest in electoral reforms such as ranked-choice voting and open primaries; large philanthropic networks funding civic initiatives; and younger generations seeking new forms of civic participation.

For more on this topic, check out the Policy Circle Civic Engagement Brief.

Spotlight: RTB Partner - Courageous Colorado

RTB partners with organizations that share our values, and one of our most important partners is Courageous Colorado.

Founded in the summer of 2025, Courageous Colorado was built around a big idea: bringing Colorado together to build bolder and more courageous politics. Early conversations with leaders across the political spectrum revealed a shared concern: the need for more courage in our political landscape. Courage to disagree with friends. Courage to reach across the aisle. Courage to engage in difficult conversations for the common good.

They pursue that mission through three strategies:

Convene: Bringing people together from rural towns to urban centers, from grassroots activists to civic leaders, to identify shared priorities and imagine a better political future.

Connect: Linking leaders, organizations, and everyday citizens across sectors, regions, and political affiliations.

Catalyze: Turning ideas into action by supporting local opportunities, investing in community-driven initiatives, building new infrastructure, and advancing policies that expand participation and representation.

Courageous Colorado sees itself as an umbrella organization connecting like-minded efforts across the state to promote information sharing and collaboration toward common goals. Learn more at courageouscolorado.org.

This week, Courageous Colorado is launching Courageous Communities, a new initiative supporting locally led efforts to strengthen civic participation, transparency, and collaboration across Colorado. They'll be hosting short community webinars to introduce the initiative and share opportunities for local leaders to get involved:

Tuesday, March 17

Grand Junction Webinar — 11:00 a.m. | Register here

Durango Webinar — 3:00 p.m. | Register here

Also This Week

Tuesday, March 17 — Western Slope Virtual Town Hall | 5:00 p.m.The bipartisan caucus of Western Slope legislators will host a virtual town hall to provide an update on the 2026 legislative session. Register here

Wednesday, March 18 — RTB Social Hour | 4:30–6:30 p.m. The Feisty Pint, 359 Colorado Ave., Grand Junction.

Come meet representatives from Courageous Colorado and your RTB friends. All are welcome!

Check out our website calendar for April events and more!

On the Radar: Local Government Meetings

• Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9am

• Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30pm

• Town of Palisade Board of Trustees Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6pm

• Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7pm

• D51 School Board: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 5pm (public comments accepted on 3rd Tuesdays only)

• Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30pm

• Public Health Board: Monthly Tuesdays @ 3pm

RTB Member Insights

Here are some recommendations from our members:

• Watch: Filibuster 101: How One Senator Can Stop Everything on PBS. You've probably heard reports of eliminating the 60-vote filibuster in the Senate. Here's a brief explanation of its history, evolution, rules, and potential reforms.

• Listen: Sowing the Seeds of Love — Tears for Fears.

Thank you to all who have submitted photos, podcasts, and video recommendations. We will publish a recommendation in each category every week. Please keep them coming!

Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter?

Our best recommendations come from you! Have you read a thought-provoking book? Listened to an insightful podcast? Found an article worth sharing? Captured a beautiful photo of Western Colorado? We want to feature your discoveries and perspectives in our Monday Update.

You can share resources, suggest topics you'd like RTB to address, or submit photos from around our community. All submissions can be anonymous or attributed to you; it's your choice.

Submit your recommendations here

Let's learn from each other and build a more informed community together.

Don't forget to vote in 2026: June primaries, November general.