LGBTQ Trainer Trainings Courtesy of Colorado Anti-Violence Program

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program’s 'Train the Trainer' program prepares volunteers to lead engaging workshops and trainings that support our work to build justice and safety in LGBTQ communities.

CAVP's team of trainers is committed to bringing you a powerful, interactive, and engaging series of workshops using theater of the oppressed games, activities, discussions and role playing. In this interactive weekend long training, participants will learn and practice popular education theory, workshop development and how to incorporate anti-oppression, racial and gender justice frameworks. 



Next training takes place March 29 and 30 from 10am to 5pm. Click here for more information or to register.

Op-Ed: Dangerous Denver Cops allowed back on streets while the city fights their full reinstatement

By COAVP and Colorado Progressive Coalition

The Denver Civil Service Commission ruled not to honor the city's request to keep officers involved in the Denver Diner beatings off the streets while the city fights for their removal. Victims of the incident are calling foul on the decision while the Colorado Progressive Coalition (CPC) along with the Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) are asking for a federal investigation of a system that has failed Denver residents.  

While officers Kevin Devine and Ricky Nixon where removed from the force after lying on a report concerning their beating and macing of handcuffed women in front of the Denver Diner in 2009, the Civil Service Commission decided that their omissions did not constitute removable offenses. The city attorney appealed this decision after the community rose in opposition to the Commission's decision. However, the attorney failed to issue a stay on the officers' return to the force before the appropriate deadline.  

While the Civil Service Commission board could have upheld the stay today, the board chose not to do so. As a result, the officers are scheduled to return to the force, gaining back pay, while the city's appeal to remove them continues.  

"These people are not just names or statistics," said Mu Son Chi, Racial Justice and Civil Rights Director for the Colorado Progressive Coalition. "They are people whose lives have been crushed by a policing system and culture that has for too long overlooked police brutality committed against our communities. We are disappointed that the city's stay was not honored and the officers will be allowed back on the force."  

Victims are greatly concerned by the board's action.  

Miriam Peña, one of the women involved in the Denver Diner beatings and CPC Co-Executive Director, said the decision would put more people at risk while the board looks at the city's desire to remove them from office.  

"This is a warning to all residents of Denver. No one is safe when abusive officers return to the streets," said Peña.

Victims in the Denver Diner incident, CPC and CAVP are calling for the Civil Service Commission to remove the officers involved in the Denver Diner case. Likewise, CPC and CAVP are concerned that the commission will show similar leniency when it comes to similar cases.  

The Commission board was scheduled to provide a decision on whether the city will be allowed to fire officers involved in the Lower Downtown beating of Michael DeHerrera, that decision has been scheduled for release April 9. The DeHerrera family have been waiting for justice on this case for three long years.  

Michael DeHerrera was beaten by officers Randy Murr and Devin Sparks in 2009 while speaking on his cell phone to his father, a Pueblo sheriff's deputy, in downtown Denver. While the city fired the officers, the Civil Service Commission determined that they had already been punished for their action via a three day suspension with pay. The city attorney appealed that ruling asking for their removal from the force, and the Board will be responding to that appeal on the April 9.  

Anthony DeHerrera, Michael's father, while stating the delay of his son's ruling was understandable as long as justice was served, saw today's ruling as another example of what is wrong with the current police discipline system.

"These officers are yet again getting off on a technicality. It is yet another part of the appeal process that should be changed," said Anthony DeHerrera. "Seeing these officers be reinstated is re-victimizing the victims of police brutality."

CPC and CAVP strongly urge the commission to side with the city's appeal and remove officers in both cases from the force. In both cases, officers lied on reports about their violent actions which, along with the beatings themselves, constitutes a considerable threat to both the city's residents and the integrity of the police force.  

"The reality is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people of color continue to be disproportionately targeted with police brutality and misconduct, despite Colorado's inclusive anti-discrimination laws. Upholding the City's appeal and removing these officers is the first step in police accountability," said Crystal Middlestadt, Director of Training and Education at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program.

Today's ruling indicates a further breakdown in the Denver law enforcement system and is just one of many indicators that Denver law enforcement is in need of a federal investigation as called for by former Independent Monitor Richard Rosenthal.

An incident in 2009 could have prevented both Denver Diner and LoDo incidents from occurring -- had it been resolved promptly.  

The decision on whether to discipline three officers, Murr, Nixon and Tiffany Middleton, involved in a 2009 incident in which Alex Landau was nearly beaten to death while racial slurs were hurled at him has been pushed back by the Denver Police Department. Had Nixon and Murr been removed at the time the initial investigation began in Landau's case, it is likely they would not have had the opportunity to strike again.  

"If those officers involved in the Alex Landau case in 2009 would have been removed from the force, the DeHerrera and the Denver Diner incident may not have happened," said Peña. "How many more police brutality cases have to happen in order to say enough is enough and excessive force and lying will not be tolerated?"

Landau agreed with Anthony DeHerrera, stating that the system has once again failed Denver.

"Our city has promised reform in the department and again through technicality we have been let down," said Landau. "Things like this are reasons we need the help of the Department of Justice. It is extemely important that decision making power is removed from the Civil Service Commission because it is obvious that those who are unaffected by police violence and misconduct are the ones making decisions."

"As an organization we are extremely disappointed in the recent decision," Peña said. "As a city, we can do better, and a good starting point would be to stand up for the residents of Denver, even more importantly the victims of these cases."

Kelly Costello to leave Colorado Anti-Violence Program

Kelly Costello, community activist, writer, and Director of Advocacy for CAVP has announced that he will be leaving the Colorado Anti-Violence Program in early 2010.

Costello writes, "The past three years with CAVP have been a source of growth for me, both personally and professionally. I consider it an honor to have been able to participate in Colorado’s LGBTQ community in ways that focus on building relationships, honoring identities and fostering healing. I have been inspired by the resilience of those in my community as we have been able to support each other through difficult times and still make space to experience joy and love.

While this decision will, in some ways, take me in a different direction, I remain dedicated to the continued growth and strengthening of CAVP. I am impressed by how intentional this organization has been on so many levels, from implementing a new shared leadership staff model to the way input from all parts of our community is valued (staff, board, volunteers, community members and donors). The new vision statement has provided an ability to talk about how we do this work, a framework that I will take with me as I move forward in other areas of my life."

Colorado Anti-Violence Program launches Queer Youth Violence Prevention Project

CAVP is launching a new program focused on preventing sexual assault in LGBTQ youth communities throughout Colorado.

Though there is little doubt that the issue of sexual violence in queer communities is a serious one, many educational systems and mainstream service providers continue to ignore the unique ways sexual and dating violence impact LGBTQ communities.

The Queer Youth Violence Prevention Project (QYVPP) will be driven by project manager Eleanor Dewey (pictured) in partnership with youth, adult allies, LGBTQ communities & organizations, and people of color communities.

For more information visit the Colorado Anti-Violence Program online.