As we close out 2023, Change.org has compiled a list of the cities with the most active changemakers and their respective petitions. While cities across the U.S. contributed significantly to the tapestry of change, Denver lands in the top ten – with the eighth most petitions created in 2023. 

Below, you can find a list of ten standout petitions that focused on Denver, as well as the full list of our top change-making cities of 2023. The petitions below demonstrate inspiring stories of resilience and courage, and the power of local advocacy to shape a community. 

TOP TEN STANDOUT PETITIONS FROM DENVER:

1. Urge Life Time Fitness to Cease Use of DPT Trademark – APTA Colorado started a petition that urges Life Time Fitness to discontinue its use of the ‘DPT: Dynamic Personal Training’ trademark, asserting that it causes confusion for consumers who associate ‘DPT’ with Doctors of Physical Therapy. With over 12,500 signatures, the American Physical Therapy Association calls on Life Time Fitness to respect professional designations, cease using the confusing trademark, and promote clear communication for informed consumer decisions.
2. Demand DPS to reinstate Mr. Kurt Dennis as Principal of McAuliffe International School – Eve Chen started this petition that demands the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Kurt Dennis, the highly regarded principal of McAuliffe International School in Denver Public Schools, who, according to her petition, was unjustly terminated. Families, community members, and more than 6,300 petition signers express outrage at the mishandling of children’s education and safety and attribute Mr. Dennis’s termination to his courageous exposure of the district’s misguided policy of daily pat-downs for students accused of serious crimes, emphasizing his genuine concern for children’s well-being and his exercise of freedom of speech.
3. Build a Pedestrian Bridge at Doherty High School – In her petition, Jennifer Arey calls for urgent action from the City of Colorado Springs and School District 11 to address the safety of students walking to Doherty High School after yet another child died from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. The petition, with more than 5,140 signatures, proposes the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Barnes Road to protect students and prevent further tragedies, emphasizing the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of children on their way to school.
4. Save the Esquire theatre from redevelopment – This petition by Jolee Harston aims to save the historic 96-year-old Esquire Theatre in Colorado, facing redevelopment plans as its lease expires in July 2024. More than 4,300 petition signers have noted that the theater, known for hosting independent cinema, monthly Rocky Horror screenings, and being a cultural meeting place, is an integral part of Denver’s subculture and history, and hope to prevent its closure. 
5. Strengthen Colorado’s Recreational Use Statute (CRUS) & Protect Outdoor Recreation Access – With almost 4,000 signatures, this petition urges lawmakers to enhance the Colorado Recreation Use Statute (CRUS) to protect recreation access on public and private lands in Colorado. Highlighting the recent liability issues faced by landowners and closures of iconic outdoor spaces, the petition calls for support to strengthen the CRUS and safeguard access to Colorado’s wild outdoor places, emphasizing the need for legislative action to protect public recreation access.
6. Vote NO on Taxing Vacation Rentals as Commercial Property – Al Furlone started this petition that calls for immediate action against a proposed bill in the Colorado State Legislature that could increase property taxes for short-term rental hosts by up to 400%. The bill suggests reclassifying homes rented for more than 90 days as ‘lodging property,’ subjecting them to a 27.9% assessment rate, over four times higher than residential property, potentially threatening the economic well-being of residents and communities relying on tourism. Almost 4,000 people have signed his petition. 
7. Stop A CSU Tuition Increase – With more than 3,800 signatures, this petition opposes the proposed early tuition increase of 4% for in-state and 5% for out-of-state students at Colorado State University (CSU) in the next academic year. The petition argues that students are already burdened with high tuition costs, which are significantly above national and state averages, and suggests that alternative funding sources, such as the $200 million received for the construction of the Spur Campus in Denver, should be utilized to pay faculty higher wages without increasing tuition.
8. Rescuing Charlie’s Place – Lisa Bossert started a petition that urges the Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties residents in Colorado to support Charlie’s Place (Clear Creek/Gilpin County Animal Shelter) to prevent its closure or further funding cuts. The shelter, established in 2007 as a no-kill facility in memory of a beloved German shepherd named Charlie, is facing financial challenges. More than 3,000 petition signers hope to keep it open and continue providing vital services for abandoned, homeless, and stray animals.
9. Protect Colorado’s Black Bears: Change CPW Policies for Non-Dangerous Encounters – Tyler Eshnaur started a petition calling Governor Polis to reevaluate and change Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) policies regarding black bear encounters. More than 1,700 people join in signing the petition emphasizing the importance of preserving Colorado’s black bears and advocating for non-lethal interventions, community involvement, data collection, appropriate signage, and trash ordinance enforcement to protect these majestic creatures and promote coexistence with humans.
10. Justice for Amiir Horton – The petition started by Christian Caldwell, which called for justice for Amiir Horton and challenged his unjust expulsion from Smoky Hill High School, has achieved success. The update to the petition announces that Amiir has been successfully admitted to Vista Peak Prep within Aurora Public Schools. This outcome signifies a victory for the petitioners, as the efforts to challenge the expulsion decision were effective, leading to Amiir being able to attend his new home school and potentially play basketball. More than 1,600 people signed the petition that led to this victory. 

You can find a list of all ten petitions mentioned above here. Our top ten change-making cities in order are New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Denver, Dallas, and Charlotte. 

This list was compiled by Christina Martin, Change.org’s Senior Local Media Specialist. Are you a member of the press who would like to write about a Change.org petition? Christina can help. Email cmartin@change.org with your inquiry.