UU Colorado Action Network (UUCAN) is a network of Unitarian Universalist individuals, congregations, and organizations across Colorado, and their allies and partners, working for social and environmental justice. UUCAN is Colorado’s first UU Statewide Action Network.

DRAFT Vision:  

Our vision is an interconnected web of Unitarian Universalists across the state of Colorado who faithfully live their values in collective action. 

DRAFT Mission: 

• We will work together, through our congregations, individuals and community partnerships, to 

  • build meaningful relationships with each other, community partners, and those most impacted by oppression

  • take direct action on social justice issues, 

  • advocate for policy changes statewide with intentional, faithful, and accountable action, and

  • provide mutual aid within and outside of our communities.

The Need : 

Colorado UUs are very active in social justice individually and in our local congregations.  The UU Colorado Action Network (UUCAN) addresses the yearning we have to better coordinate our UU actions and have the greatest impact, support one another in joyful ways, and amplify our UU values in the Colorado public square and nationally.  

UUCAN Origin story: 

In 2026, two UU ministers were inspired by the citizens of Minneapolis coming together to resist fascism. They saw what was possible with a robust UU state action network and started imagining what could be done in Colorado. Back home, Rev. Ruth Rinehart and Rev. Lydia Ferrante-Roseberry connected with fellow clergy and UUs across the state to gauge interest in forming our own state action network. And people responded – a dozen ministers attended the clergy-focused meetings in April, with many more expressing interest, and seventy people registered for the inaugural gathering at the end of May.  

In our inaugural meeting we clarified being intentional about inclusion of marginalized populations, including geographic marginalization. We acknowledge that much focus in our state is on the urban corridor of the Front Range, while many detrimental political and policy decisions impact the rural parts of our state. For example, our rural areas are much more likely to be chosen for data center locations and ICE detention centers, and have been home to election fraud.  

Planned Activities:

• hosting a Solidarity Summit in the fall of 2026

• regular Action Hours - Zoom gatherings where we all learn about issues and take action then and there.

• regional gatherings around the state to build relationships and listen to needs and desires

• engagement in the important CO fall elections, where both the governor and attorney general seats are up for grabs. 

Benefits of Being Connected:

Maybe you’re already a part of your congregation’s social justice committee or you’ve been out in the streets with activist groups for a while now. You might wonder, “Why bother adding another organizational layer?” A state-level UU action network like UUCAN offers a lot of resources and opportunities like the following:

• Timely information on actions affecting your community.

• Resources and research on justice issues.

• A community of like-minded folks you can activate for specific events.

• Support and guidance for getting your congregation involved in justice work at the local level.

• Justice-oriented worship services to inspire and inform your congregation