May 2026 Newsletter
Community Economic Defense Project
Hi everyone, At CEDP, we know that home is about more than just having a place to live. It is what roots people in a community, keeps people connected to networks of care and support, and creates the stability people need to move through difficult moments with dignity. This month, we’re sharing Armod’s story, an Air Force veteran who was able to keep his home and remain connected to his community with support from CEDP’s veteran services team and partners. His story reflects the care and commitment our staff brings to this work every day, and the broader work we are doing to advance policies and protections that help people build stability in their lives. With gratitude, Five Big Things in This Month’s Newsletter
Impact in Action: Armod’s Story
When Armod, an Air Force veteran, came to CEDP, he was recovering from brain surgery and facing the possibility of losing the downtown Denver apartment that had finally become his home after years of instability and rebuilding his life. He loved his neighbors, his building, and the view that let him watch the sunrise and paint from his window. The thought of leaving that community behind felt overwhelming. By the time he reached CEDP, Armod had already tried multiple programs and was exhausted by confusing systems over funding rules. He often felt unseen in the process. Working with CEDP’s veteran services team — including Veteran Case Manager Kendle Grosso — felt different: he felt heard, respected, and supported by people who followed through on what they said they would do. As Kendle shared, the goal was to show up with “care, empathy, and integrity” so Armod did not have to navigate a health crisis and housing crisis alone. Through coordinated support from CEDP staff and community partners, Armod received help securing a Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher and other supports — including rental and utility assistance and connections to food and digital access resources. Together, those resources helped him remain in his home and lower his rent to something sustainable. Today, he describes the impact as a “domino effect in a great way”: instead of starting over somewhere else, he was able to keep the community he had built, and maintain a home that has opened up what he calls a “geometric expansion” of possibilities for his future. Armod’s story reflects a broader pattern CEDP sees every day. In the first four months of 2026, CEDP received 19 homelessness prevention referrals for veterans, with many households stabilizing their housing within the same month they reached out for help. Veterans exiting CEDP’s homelessness prevention program this year have done so with their housing stabilized, demonstrating how responsive, hands‑on support from CEDP’s staff and partners can help veterans remain safely housed during moments of crisis. What We’re WatchingWe’re always listening and paying attention to how state and national conversations and policies ripple through our communities here in Colorado. Here’s what’s on our radar this month: Colorado’s AI law is being rewritten – and CEDP is at the table Governor Jared Polis signed SB26-189 into law, creating new transparency and accountability protections when AI is used in decisions that impact people’s lives, including housing, employment, health care, education, insurance, financial services, and government services. CEDP’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer, Marissa Molina, represented CEDP in conversations around the legislation and the negotiated policy framework that helped shape the bill. For CEDP, this work is deeply connected to housing stability. When automated systems quietly undermine people’s access to jobs, housing, credit, benefits, and essential services, they also threaten the economic stability people need to stay housed. SB26-189 is an important step toward ensuring these systems are transparent, accountable, and fair.
More families are facing utility shutoffs in Colorado – and need help staying connected A recent Denver Post story pointed to rising residential utility disconnections in Colorado, with more households falling behind on their energy bills and facing the threat of shutoffs. In this environment, CEDP’s partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado is more important than ever, helping eligible households get financial assistance with past-due utility payments and keep the lights, heat, and essential services on while they work through a crisis. CEDP in the CommunityOn May Day, CEDP and CED Law joined partners at the State Capitol as lawmakers once again debated the Worker Protection Act, a key labor bill that would strengthen workers’ ability to enforce existing rights and that Governor Polis has vetoed before and is again signaling opposition to this year. CEDP is part of the field committee within Colorado Workers Rights United (CWRU), a coalition that has been a driving force behind the strategy and organizing for the bill, meeting regularly on logistics, messaging, and turnout throughout the session. After the Capitol action, CEDP staff, including Lorenzo Harris, Maria Eugenia Ruiz, and Karl Brevik, joined the resource fair in Washington Park, where they tabled alongside other CWRU partners. Throughout the day, they shared information about tenant protections, legal and financial resources, and CEDP and CED Law’s services, helping connect workers and tenants who are directly affected by the policies debated under the dome with concrete support in their own neighborhoods. Upcoming Events & Community PresenceMay 2026 Saturday, 5/16 | 10 AM–2:00 PM HOST Housing Fair (2401 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206) Monday, 5/18 | 6:00–7:30 PM Know Your Rights presentation on navigating troubles and brief free legal consultations. Wednesday, 5/20 | 6:00-8:30 PM EC3 Monthly Legal Clinic (1195 Newport St, Denver, CO 80220) Know Your Rights presentation and brief free legal consultations. Thursday, 5/28 | 1:15-5:15 PM Access for All: Resource Navigation Fair (1100 E 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80218) Thursday, 5/28 | 4:00–7:00 PM Urban Land Conservancy Non-Profit Mission Mixer (1740 Pontiac St, Denver, CO 80220) Get Support & Stay Connected 🏠 Get Help📞 CARE Center
💡Gas, Electricity & Other Utility Assistance 🐾 Denver District 10 Pet Deposit Assistance Thank you for being part of our work to protect housing stability and economic justice across Colorado. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to CEDP. Your support helps families stay housed and navigate financial crises with dignity. 💙 Connect with us on social media
© 2026 CEDP
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