ACLU will try to grab the attention of the younger set

A civil-rights organization is offering free wine in an art gallery and a free-wheeling discussion of the Pikes Peak region’s culture in a new push to recruit younger members.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado is putting on the event for young professionals Thursday at the Business of Art Center in Manitou Springs.

Beyond recruiting new members, the idea is to encourage younger people to participate in government and defend civil rights, said Rachel Chaparro, development and education coordinator for the ACLU of Colorado.

Most of the ACLU’s half-million members nationwide are in their 50s and older, Chaparro said. Early last year, the national organization asked state chapters to come up with ways to attract young professionals.

The result in Colorado was monthly get-togethers in Denver with activists and politicians such as U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and state Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver.

Now, the effort is expanding to the Pikes Peak region.

It’s aimed at people ages 24 to 45, but “anybody is welcome,” Chaparro said. “If you’re interested in the topic, it doesn’t matter if you’re 65 or 16.”

Colorado Springs City Councilman Jerry Heimlicher will talk Thursday about whether Colorado Springs is welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds. Heimlicher is active in the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, a private group that tries to counter what members say is the city’s reputation for intolerance.

Heimlicher said he’ll ask people who attend whether Colorado Springs is perceived across the nation as intolerant, and if so whether the reputation is warranted. He’ll also solicit ideas for improving the city’s image.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Business of Art Center, 515 Manitou Ave.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com