Announcing our new nonprofit!

Colorado’s Pro-Vaccine Advocates Launch Nonprofit Organization
Colorado Immunization Advocates will continue to advance the work of parents
and concerned citizens on behalf of science-based public health policy

COLORADO – In the often-contentious discussions around vaccine policy at the Colorado State Capitol, pro-vaccine parents and citizen advocates have long played an important role. Originally organized as an informal grassroots group in 2013 to support the passage of HB 14-1288, a bill to improve school-entry vaccine guidelines, Colorado’s pro-vaccine citizen advocacy group has grown to include thousands of members across the state. Formerly known as “Colorado Parents for Vaccinated Communities,” they are a consistent presence at the Capitol to speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority of parents that vaccinate their families and believe in the science of vaccines.
 
The pro-vaccine advocacy group has reorganized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit called Colorado Immunization Advocates (CIA). The focus of the organization is on providing grassroots advocacy education and engaging Colorado’s pro-vaccine majority so that they can speak up in favor of science-based public health policies.
 
“It is so important to have the voices and perspectives of parents who understand and believe in the science of vaccines when looking at policy,” said Representative Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn), who partnered with a broad public health coalition to pass SB 20-163 last year. “It’s why I am so excited to see the formation of Colorado Immunization Advocates.”
 
CIA’s Board of Directors consists of parent and grandparent advocates that have testified at legislative hearings, shared their personal stories with elected officials, and helped to support other citizen advocates in raising their voices. Elizabeth Fashing, who frequently spoke at the Capitol in her role as a parent advocate, is stepping up to serve as CIA’s Interim Executive Director.
 
“As Interim Executive Director, I hope to use my experience advocating for science-based immunization policies to inspire other pro-vaccine parents to raise their voices for science,” said Elizabeth. “We know that science-based policies are successful in increasing the vaccination rates within communities and I look forward to assisting Colorado Immunization Advocates in achieving that goal.”