Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Brad Clark Leaving One Colorado

From Bobby Clark, Chair, One Colorado Board of Directors:

It has been a privilege over the last three years, as a board member of One Colorado, to work alongside our remarkable executive director, Brad Clark. So it is truly bittersweet to announce today that Brad will leave us in September to take on an exciting new challenge. Each and every one of us can be proud of Brad and happy that his talents have been recognized. But he will certainly be missed by the One Colorado community.

One Colorado’s board of directors has immediately initiated the process of identifying Brad’s successor, and we will share more about that process in the days ahead. We will, of course, work closely with Brad and with the outstanding One Colorado staff over the next few weeks on a detailed transition plan.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Brad. Under his extraordinary leadership, One Colorado has achieved phenomenal success in a very short period of time: 


Building a coalition of more than 150 organizations, 200 faith leaders and over 50 congregations representing 1.2 million Coloradans in support of relationship recognition.
Passing the Colorado Civil Union Act to ensure our families have the dignity and legal protections they need.


Passing a statewide anti-bullying law and ensuring that more than 150,000 students can access a gay-straight alliance support network in their school.


Working to end discrimination in health care against transgender Coloradans through a groundbreaking new bulletin from the state Division of Insurance.


Together with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, launching a nationally recognized joint organizing project to secure relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples, as well as tuition equity for deserving undocumented students.


Blocking a dangerous and deceptive “Religious Liberty” ballot measure that would have deeply undermined hard-won rights and protections for LGBT Coloradans.


Building a network of more than 30,000 supporters representing every county of the state – with over 2,000 individual donors and a robust statewide presence with organizing from the Western Slope to Northern and Southern Colorado.


Generating more than 100,000 contacts with elected officials through email, calls, postcard campaigns, lobby days, and in-district visits.


In total, generating over 500 volunteer hours to ensure that nearly 25,000 doors were knocked or calls made, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support pro-equality candidates.


Raising $2.8 million to support advocacy, public education, and political efforts to advance a fair and just Colorado.

There’s no doubt that One Colorado has tremendous momentum to meet the challenges ahead, and there is much work to be done. LGBT students still face bullying and harassment in our schools. Transgender Coloradans still are denied access to the health care they need. And thousands of loving, committed couples across our state still do not have the freedom to marry.

The incredibly talented staff of One Colorado – Ashley, Daniel, Heidi, Jon, Keri, Lia, Nina, Preston, Ryan, and Sara – played a central role in the accomplishments listed above, and they are more than ready for the road ahead. Their tireless commitment to a fair and just Colorado is truly unparalleled.

We have an outstanding board of directors who have selflessly committed time and treasure to build this organization from the ground up. Their strategic vision and steady hand will continue to serve One Colorado well in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

But now, let’s take a moment to honor Brad and all that we’ve achieved under his leadership. We simply wouldn’t be where we are today without him, and we wish him continued success in his new role – the details of which we will learn more about in the coming days. In the meantime, we are proud to thank him for a job well done.

Sincerely,