Kids Voting Denver is starting out the year with a new organizational structure and new committee members. "Kids Voting has existed in Colorado since 1992 and is formally organizing an effort to expand the program to include more than 30,000 students in Denver," said Nancy Gilder, Kids Voting Denver Chair.

Kids Voting Denver provides an eight-week curriculum for participating schools, which trains teachers, and educates children about issues, candidates, and the democratic process. Students prepare projects and debates while learning how to vote. More than 16,000 students participated in the 2000 Kids Voting election. This year, Kids Voting Denver hopes to work with students from across the city of Denver in public and private schools.

The mission of Kid's Voting is to enhance citizen involvement in the democracy of the United States by preparing current and future generations of informed Denver voters to participate in greater numbers. The goal is to build a community partnership around Kids Voting Denver and to have Kids Voting curriculum in all schools, where possible, for the 2002 election.

Kids Voting Denver is seeking help from the community. Volunteers are needed to work in schools on Election Day, assist with fundraising efforts and help communicate the Kids Voting message of civic responsibility.

Kids Voting Denver is a partnership of the Mayor's Office, City and County of Denver, Denver Public Schools, League of Women Voters, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and several other community organizations. Kids Voting Colorado/Denver is part of a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization affiliated with Kids Voting USA, which is active in 38 states.

For more information, please contact Nancy Gilder at 720-913-0307.