Western Colorado Alliance held its 42nd Annual Conference on August 20, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Grand Junction. “Perspectives” was the theme of the conference this year.

A lot of attendees showed up early enough to stroll through the tables populated by Alliance ally groups such as the Hispanic Affairs Project, Action is Safer, and Grand Junction Mutual Aid. Alliance staff members were thrilled to be able to interact personally with members and friends for the first time since 2019. (Although this conference also marked our first hybrid live/Zoom conference, so attendees who couldn’t be present in person were still able to attend.)

Our Alliance’s annual business meeting kicked off at 10 am. Members ratified minor language modifications to our platform and re-elected Andreya Krieves and Bill Wellman to Board Chair and Treasurer, respectively.

This year, the Worley Award (named after celebrated activists and Alliance co-founders Chuck and Betsy Worley, and given out each year to a volunteer who has significantly contributed to making Western Colorado communities more healthy, just, and self-reliant) went to Robyn Cascade for her long-time work in both local foods and public lands.

Meanwhile, the Rising Star Award, given to one or more volunteers new to our Alliance who have made a real difference in the past year, went to Adriane Moline, who has stepped up as a volunteer in local foods and also become a Board member, and Julia Peréz-Chavéz, who has made significant contributions to our Deep Listening campaign and other work in Mesa County. This award is accompanied by a pledge to pay up to $200 toward education for the recipient’s personal development as an organizer.

The Board announced they will add a new award starting next year, to be named after long-time Board member and tireless volunteer Peggy Rawlins. The Rawlins Award will go to an Alliance member who has shown “determination and grit and fearlessness in speaking truth to power.”

The keynote speech was delivered this year by Paul Getsos, long-time movement leader and co-author of
Tools for Radical Democracy.

Most of the feedback we’ve received on this year’s Annual Conference was very positive. We’ll be happy to see you at next year’s event!