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Why It Matters That You Vote

Writer: Colorado Black Health Collaborative
Colorado Black Health Collaborative
6 minutes ago
5 min read

Colorado Black Health Collaborative (CBHC) is not here to tell you who to vote for. Our objective is to provide voters with information about why voting matters and help them understand how the people elected to office reflect their values. As you consider a candidate, ask yourself: Could their decisions, actions, and campaign funding affect you and your family?


One of our primary focuses is on tobacco-nicotine use in the Black Community. This is important because people in our Black Community are among those most affected. The tobacco industry continues to market and sell tobacco-nicotine products in our Community and to our young people, which affects all of us. As we look at the current state of government, it is important to understand how money, policy, and public health can intersect.


Why Does This Matter?


Voting is your voice. It gives you a chance to have a say in the leaders and laws that ultimately can affect your day to day life. The people we elect to office help make decisions and create laws that affect our communities, families, and our future generations. On November 3, 2026, Colorado will hold its General Election. If you have never voted before, or if you have not voted recently, take the time to make sure you are registered and understand how to participate. Click on this Link to register to vote: Go Vote Colorado - Colorado Secretary of State


Voting Can Create Change!


CBHC has a keen focus on how voting can affect tobacco-nicotine-vape regulations, taxes, product sales, advertising, youth access, and public-health protections.

An Example:


Denver’s Ordinance 24-1765 - On December 18, 2024, an ordinance prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco-nicotine products in the City and County of Denver was signed into law and took effect in March 2025. The ordinance covers products such as flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored nicotine products. Small business owners, vape shops, and others tried to overturn the ban. However, In 2025, Denver voters voted to retain the ordinance. So, what is Ordinance 24-1765? It is a local law that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco-nicotine products in Denver, including menthol. Denver voters let their voices be heard and the ban was continued.


Hip Hop and Rap, Flavors Hook Kids!


Did you know menthol tobacco-nicotine isn't just being advertised in stores? It is also showing up in the social-media spaces that young people use. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that tobacco-nicotine companies have used hip-hop and rap artists, models, and music that appeal to young people to market menthol cigars on social media. We know that flavors are used to hook kids. This means young people are being exposed to tobacco-related content in the same spaces where they spend their time. A study conducted on TikTok found that videos associated with Swisher Sweets, a flavored cigarillo brand, were more likely to feature flavored products, Black people, and younger people. The study also found that influencers were more likely to post videos showing cigar purchasing behavior. These examples show why it is important to pay attention to the policies and decisions being made

about tobacco-nicotine products and who is making those decisions.


Candidates and Tobacco-Nicotine Policy:


There are candidates that are running in the November 3, 2026, Colorado General Election who have a documented connection to tobacco-related legislation, policy, and or campaign contributions. For instance, Federal campaign-finance records show that a campaign for a Colorado congressional district received a $7,500 contribution from Altria Group, Inc. PAC

(AltriaPAC). Altria Group is the parent company of several tobacco-nicotine businesses. For additional information, visit the Federal Election Commission.


State Tobacco-Nicotine Bill 2022:


In 2022, the Colorado House considered HB22-1064, a bill that proposed prohibiting the distribution of flavored tobacco-nicotine products. Several candidates supported the bill, which would have prohibited the distribution of these products in Colorado, but it did not become law. When it comes to politics, our representatives’ positions can change for a number of reasons.


Vote For What Matters to You!


We are not suggesting how you vote. We want you to be informed and to understand that our local (as well our federal) government is something we can have a voice in and take action on. If candidates receive support from companies that promote products that “aren’t good for anyone’s health,” we should pay attention to those relationships and consider how they may

influence the laws and rules that affect our communities. When choosing a candidate, it is important to consider whether their current stance aligns with what matters to you.

Even Small Ballots Matter.


Some people feel like their one individual vote does not matter or isn’t important. This is not the case. As an example, in the 2024 Colorado Springs state House race, the initial margin was six votes. After a recount, the winner was certified by just three votes.


VOTE - November 3, 2026!


Below is a list of the seats up for election this November. We won’t go through a candidate's background or position. Instead, we encourage you to educate yourself on who the candidates are, understand what they stand for, and ask yourself: Which candidates best reflect the needs and values of our community? Will they do what is best for my family and me?


Offices that are in this upcoming General Election:


Statewide Offices

● Governor

● Lieutenant Governor

● Secretary of State

● Attorney General

● State Treasurer


U.S. Senate

● One Colorado U.S. Senate seat


U.S. House

● Congressional Districts 1 through 8


Colorado General Assembly

● All 65 Colorado House Districts

● 21 Colorado Senate Districts are on the regular 2026 ballot, plus special Senate

elections.


Judicial

● Colorado Supreme Court retention

● Colorado Court of Appeals retention

● Other applicable judicial retention contests


State Board Positions

● Colorado State Board of Education

● Colorado Board of Regents


Voting Information:



Facts about Voting:


❖ You can register to vote on the same day as the election. *Only in person

❖ Mail-in-Ballot - register to vote by Oct 26 2026

❖ I have a felony, Can I vote?

➢ Are you currently serving time for that felony - No

➢ On Parole - Yes

➢ Had a felony conviction in the past - Yes

❖ I was registered to vote before I was incarcerated. Do I need to register again

➢ Yes

❖ Voters who are in line at their polling location before they close are allowed to vote no matter how long it takes! * Check your location times.


Knowledge is Power! Be in the Know Just for the Health of it!


Sources:

● Federal Election Commission: Home | FEC


info@cololoradoblackhealth.org | Phone: 720.579.2126

 
 
 

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