Defend Colorado Now to launch immigration initiative effort

Wants non-emergency public services denied to illegals

News release: January 3, 2006

(DENVER, CO) The much anticipated ballot initiative effort to amend the Colorado constitution to deny non-emergency services to illegals will be unveiled on January 4, 2006, at 10:30 AM, at the State Capitol press conference room 326, organizers announced today. The organization, Defend Colorado Now (DCN), will be represented at the news conference by former Colo. Gov. Richard D. Lamm, Waldo Benavidez, Director of the Auraria Community Center - a west Denver social service agency, and DCN's director, Fred Elbel.

DCN literature says their effort is a "pro-citizen, pro-legal-immigrant initiative that would amend the Colorado constitution to prevent persons unlawfully present in Colorado from receiving publicly funded services that are not required by federal law."

If DCN supporters successfully collect the required number of voter-registered signatures, the proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot for voter approval in November, 2006. Approximately 68,000 valid petition signatures are required to place the proposed amendment on the ballot. Elbel said DCN anticipates overwhelming voter support for the initiative.

Contact:
Fred Elbel, Defend Colorado Now
PO Box 280289, Lakewood, CO 80228

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