Bylaws of the Northern Colorado Local Chapter
of Democratic Socialists of America
Adopted 01.30.2021, amended 02.07.2026
ARTICLE I. Name and Territory.
Section 1. Name.
The name of the Chapter shall be the Northern Colorado Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and shall be referred to as “DSA Northern Colorado.” DSA is a not-for-profit corporation.
Section 2. Territory.
The Chapter shall conduct activities in the Northern Colorado region with the territory defined by the charter granted by the national DSA to DSA Northern Colorado.
ARTICLE II. Purpose.
The Northern Colorado Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means and resources of production are democratically and socially controlled. The Chapter is organized primarily to promote social welfare.
DSA rejects an economic order based solely on private profit, alienated labor, gross inequalities of wealth and power, discrimination based on race, ability, gender, or sexual orientation, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.
DSA envisions a humane social order based on popular control of resources, production, and economic planning; economic and environmental sustainability; equitable distribution; gender, racial, and ethnic equality; and non-oppressive relationships.
Our conception of socialism is a profoundly democratic one. It is rooted in the belief that human beings should be free to develop to their fullest potential, that public policies should be determined not by wealth but by popular participation, and that individual liberties should be carefully safeguarded. It is committed to a freedom of speech that does not recoil from dissent, to a freedom to organize independent trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and other formations — recognizing these as essential bulwarks against the dangers of an intrusive state. It is committed to a freedom of religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central.
We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are building a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic Left. In the long run, we hope to build a majority movement capable of making democratic socialism a reality in the United States. Our strategy acknowledges the class structure of the U.S. society. This class structure means that there is a basic conflict of interest between those sectors with enormous economic power and the vast majority of the population.
ARTICLE III. Membership.
Section 1. Membership.
Members of DSA Northern Colorado shall be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full and who reside and/or work in Northern Colorado. Individuals may not be members of the Local Chapter without being members of national DSA.
It shall be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the Local Chapter, to elect Chapter officers, to elect delegates to the National Convention, to vote on matters related to national policy, to volunteer for Chapter activities and duties, and to make recommendations on issues and other matters to the National Political Committee of DSA.
A member may resign from the Local Chapter and national DSA by contacting DSA’s national office.
Section 2. Removal of Members.
If a member in good standing is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of national DSA, or if they are found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic or disruptive behavior, the Local Chapter may vote to expel them from the Local Chapter of DSA. In order for such a finding to be made, another DSA member must formally submit written charges against the member in question to the Local Chapter Steering Committee, which shall set the date of a Local Chapter Meeting for deliberations on the charges. The member in question must receive a copy of the written charges and notice of the meeting a minimum of two (2) weeks before that meeting takes place. Expulsion of a member requires a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Local Chapter Meeting.
Expulsion from a chapter is treated as a suspension by DSA National and must be forwarded up to the National Grievance Panel to begin the national expulsion process. Decisions on expulsion by either the Chapter or National Organization may be appealed to the National Political Committee or to the National Convention.
Section 3. Voluntary Donations.
As mandated by the National Constitution and Bylaws, the Local Chapter may establish a Local Chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members. The payment of a Local Chapter donation shall not be a requirement for voting or for holding Local Chapter office.
Section 4. Privacy Concerns.
The Steering Committee shall create and maintain policy and procedures to secure all member data, including but not limited to contact and billing information.
ARTICLE IV. Local Chapter Meetings.
Section 1. Local Convention.
The Local Chapter shall hold a minimum of one (1) Local Convention annually, typically during the month of December, for purposes of electing officers. The Local Convention may coincide with a General Meeting. All members in good standing of the Local Chapter shall be sent notice of, and an agenda for, the Local Convention. The Steering Committee shall electronically or physically send written notice of the convention to all members no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the convention. The Steering Committee shall publish the agenda to the membership no less than ten (10) days prior to the convention.
The Local Convention shall vote on the annual budget proposed by the Treasurer for the upcoming year.
The Steering Committee shall place the date and time of the next meeting on the calendar immediately upon the conclusion of the Local Convention.
Section 2. General Meetings.
The Local Chapter shall hold General Meetings at least four (4) times annually, the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Local Chapter Steering Committee. The General Meetings shall set Local Chapter policy and work priorities.
After soliciting agenda items from the membership and from Committee chairs, the the Local Chapter Steering Committee shall prepare and disseminate the agenda for General Meetings. A draft agenda for the General Meeting shall be shared with members in good standing at least five (5) days prior to the General Meeting.
The Steering Committee shall place the date and time of the next General Meeting on the calendar not less than two weeks before its occurrence.
In general, the General Meeting is the operating legislative body of the Local Chapter.
Section 3. Emergency Meetings.
The Local Chapter Steering Committee may call an Emergency Meeting of the Local Chapter on five (5) days’ notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum of 10 percent of the members in good standing (but not fewer than six (6) persons) is required for General, or Emergency Meetings to transact business.
Section 5. Rules.
The Chapter may elect to adopt standing rules, which shall not be inconsistent with these bylaws, to administer the process and procedures of Local Chapter Meetings.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all Local Chapter Meetings to which they apply. If Robert’s Rules are inconsistent with these bylaws or standing rules, then these bylaws or standing rules shall apply.
Any action taken by a Local Chapter Meeting in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.
ARTICLE V. Local Chapter Officers: Powers and Duties.
Section 1. Officers and Terms Lengths.
The officers of the Local Chapter shall be the two Co-Chairs, Chairs of Standing Committees, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Each officer must be a member of the Local Chapter and be current in their dues by 30 days before the election and throughout the duration of their term. No member shall hold more than one office at any given time.
The term of office for each officer shall be one year, and shall run from January to the following January, or until their successors are elected. Whenever possible, the officers should not all be of the same gender.
Section 2. Elections.
Elections for officers shall be announced at the Chapter Convention unless otherwise stated in these bylaws. The Steering Committee shall open nominations no less than thirty (30) days prior to the election and call for nominations to the membership. No candidate may run their own election. Members must be in good standing for 30 days to vote in elections for chapter-wide leadership. Uncontested elections may be decided by acclamation without objection, otherwise elections shall be determined by instant-runoff voting. Elections shall be governed by any rules and procedures under Article XI, Section 3.
Section 3. Vacancies.
In the event of a vacancy in any Local Chapter office, the Local Chapter Steering Committee shall open nominations to the position to all members in good standing within one (1) week of notification of the vacancy.
In the event of a vacancy in the position of Chapter Secretary or Chapter Treasurer, the Local Chapter Steering Committee may immediately appoint any member in good standing as an interim officer to the vacant position for up to two (2) months. An election for the position shall be held during a General Meeting not less than two weeks and not more than two months after the Steering Committee is notified of the vacancy.
In the event of a vacancy in any Chair position, the Local Chapter Steering Committee shall appoint a replacement from the nominees for the remainder of the term during a Steering Committee Meeting.
Section 4. Co-Chairs.
a. The Co-Chairs shall be the chief executive officers of the Local Chapter. They shall preside over Local Chapter and Steering Committee meetings or shall appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding officer as specified in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
b. The Co-Chairs shall be the official public spokespersons for the Local Chapter and shall initiate such actions and policies as the Local Chapter’s general welfare may demand. The Co-Chairs shall be responsible also for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Local Chapter’s Branches and Committees.
c. The Co-Chairs shall report to Local Chapter General Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings, at which time a copy of the minutes of those meetings shall be available for inspection.
Section 5. Secretary.
a. The Secretary shall be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Local Chapter and for maintaining an up-to-date membership list of the Local Chapter. They shall ensure effective communication with national DSA. They shall temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Co-Chair, if neither Co-Chair is able to do so.
b. The Secretary shall be responsible also for the taking of minutes of all Local Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports and other official records of the Local Chapter. Minutes shall include attendance. The Secretary shall be responsible for providing Local Chapter Meeting minutes to National DSA.
c. The Secretary shall transfer official records in good condition to their successor. Official records shall include meeting minutes and member lists. The Secretary is responsible for storing and ensuring members’ access to the latest versions of these bylaws, meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, standing rules, and all other materials in the interest of the membership.
Section 6. Treasurer.
a. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local Chapter. All funds collected by the Local Chapter shall be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in a bank account under the name of the Local Chapter. In cooperation with the Secretary, the Treasurer shall be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are current. The Treasurer shall prepare budgets and financial reports for consideration at Local Chapter Meetings and as requested by the Steering Committee and shall ensure the Local Chapter’s regulatory compliance.
b. The Treasurer shall create and document policies and procedures for carrying out their duties and for maintaining healthy Local Chapter finances. The Treasurer shall transfer to their successor the documented policies and procedures, financial records and reports, and access to financial accounts securely.
Section 7. Additional Duties.
The Local Chapter Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to an officer of the Local Chapter, so long as such assignments do not conflict with the designation of responsibilities outlined in these Bylaws.
Section 8. Officer Independence from Elected Officials.
a. No member of DSA Northern Colorado may serve as an officer while simultaneously serving as an elected official.
b. This firewall between chapter officers and elected officials is intended to apply to those occupying positions on School Boards, City Councils, County Committees, State Legislatures, and all Federal Offices.
c. This firewall is not intended to apply to precinct organizers, city and county advisory boards, party leadership, or other positions that do not wield legal power and are not regulated by campaign finance laws.
d. Officers that intend to become elected officials must resign from their positions prior to filing to run.
Section 8. Resignation.
Any officer of the Local Chapter may electronically or physically submit their resignation to either the Steering Committee or Local Chapter Meeting. Upon resignation, the Steering Committee shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term either by scheduling an election no less than thirty (30) days away from a Local Chapter General Meeting or by appointment via simple majority vote of the Steering Committee.
Section 9. Suspension.
Any officer of the Chapter may be temporarily suspended for thirty (30) days at a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. Any member may motion to recall and shall state with particularity the acts of malfeasance, nonfeasance, gross negligence, or undemocratic or uncomradely behavior comprising the grounds for removal and must be seconded. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt such a motion by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.
ARTICLE VI. Steering Committee.
Section 1. Composition.
The Local Chapter Steering Committee shall be composed of the officers of the Local Chapter and the chair(s) of any Local Chapter Branches.
Section 2. Duties.
a. The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Local Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the General Meetings; it may also propose policy to the General Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Branch, and advise thereon, to call Emergency Meetings of the Local Chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Local Chapter, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the Chapter Convention and General Meetings.
b. The Local Chapter Steering Committee shall be responsible for establishing program activities for the Local Chapter, for proposing guidelines and policies that shall subsequently be voted on by members in good standing of DSA, and for acting on the organization’s behalf between Local Chapter Meetings.
Section 3. Meetings.
The meetings of the Steering Committee shall be held at the call of one (1) of the Co-Chairs at such intervals as may be determined by a prior Steering Committee Meeting or by consultation with any three (3) members of the Steering Committee. All members of the Steering Committee must (ordinarily) be given four (4) days oral, written, or electronic notice of regular Steering Committee Meetings; a 24-hour notice may be given under special emergency circumstances.
Any member in good standing of the Local Chapter may observe Steering Committee Meetings. The Steering Committee shall allow for a question and answer period if capacity permits.
The Steering Committee may go into executive session by simple majority vote to discuss any sensitive matters.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum of a simple majority, including a majority of the officers, is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business.
Section 5. Voting.
The Steering Committee may make decisions on business by vote of a simple majority of the committee at a Steering Committee Meeting. Any vote that occurs between Steering Committee Meetings on regular business of the Local Chapter shall be reported in the meeting minutes.
ARTICLE VII. Branches.
Section 1. Definition.
A Branch is a subgroup of the Local Chapter consisting of at least five (5) members in good standing with national DSA. Branches may be defined by geography or language. The chairs of Branches shall hold membership on the Local Chapter Steering Committee.
Section 2. Creation.
A charter application must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Chapter who would be members of the Branch, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIII of these bylaws.
A charter application must define the purpose of the Branch, the nature of its leadership, the scope and nature of its membership, and how the Branch makes decisions. Membership by geography shall not overlap with another Branch defined by geography. The Local Chapter Meeting may approve a charter application under this article by a simple majority vote.
Section 3. Meetings.
Branches must meet at least quarterly. The meetings shall be governed by the parliamentary procedure authorized by these bylaws. Branch meetings shall be open to all members in good standing of the given territory or defining characteristic of the Branch, who may propose business in order for it to be debated and voted upon by the Branch.
Section 4. Dissolution.
A motion to dissolve a Branch must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Chapter, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIII of these bylaws. The Local Chapter Meeting may dissolve a Branch under this article by a simple majority vote.
A motion to dissolve a Branch may include an amendment to these bylaws for the purpose of removing Branch representation on the Steering Committee. The Local Chapter Meeting may approve a motion to dissolve a Branch with a bylaws amendment under this article by a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote.
Section 5. YDSA Chapters.
Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapters within the geographic area defined by a DSA Local Chapter may affiliate as a branch of that Local Chapter, in which case the local YDSA chapter may send a representative to the Local Chapter Steering Committee.
ARTICLE VIII. Committees.
Section 1. Definition.
(a) Committees of the Local Chapter are formally established bodies organized for the realization of the Local Chapter’s strategies and tactics relevant to its long-term external and internal priorities.
(b) Committees may focus on any special topic which is deemed central to the Local Chapter’s mission and goals by the at-large membership of the Local Chapter.
Section 2. Committee Chairs.
Each Committee shall have one Chair elected by members in good standing at a General Meeting. Committee Chairs must be members in good standing of the Local Chapter.
Section 3. Membership.
Membership in a Committee is open to members in good standing of DSA Northern Colorado. The Committee shall establish guidelines for functioning and will review and update the guidelines at least yearly. The guidelines established by the Committee shall be maintained by the Secretary.
Section 4. Duties.
Each Committee shall provide regular reports of progress, on activities general and specific, to the general membership and the Steering Committee during regular business meetings of the Local Chapter. Each Committee shall publish its agenda at least two days prior to its meeting, maintain minutes of its meetings, and publish its draft minutes no later than two days after its meeting.
Section 5. Formation of Committees.
A new Committee may form if three Local Chapter members in good standing present a resolution to the Steering Committee outlining the new Committee’s purpose and one of the members shall agree to serve as its chair. At that time, the creation of the Committee and the confirmation of its chair shall be brought to a vote at the following General Meeting and may pass with a two-thirds majority.
Section 6. Dissolution of Committees.
A Committee which has ceased to function as defined in its constituting resolution may be dissolved by a majority vote in any General Meeting of the Local Chapter, of a resolution, originating from the Steering Committee of the Local Chapter, dissolving the defunct Committee.
Section 7. Active Committees.
An up-to-date list of active Committees shall be maintained on the Local Chapter’s website.
ARTICLE IX. Delegates to National, Regional, and State Bodies.
Section 1. Eligibility to Vote.
Members in good standing of the Local Chapter as of 30 days prior to the election shall elect Local Chapter delegates and alternates to the National Convention, as well as to any regional or state organizations.
Section 2. Schedule of Elections to National, Regional, or State Organizations.
Elections for the National Convention delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the national organization. Elections to regional or state organizations shall be held on the schedule announced by those organizations.
Section 3. Method of Voting.
Following Article V, Section 5 of national DSA’s Constitution, delegates to the National Convention must be elected by secret ballot. And, “No election for delegates to the National Convention shall be held more than four months, or less than forty-five days, prior to the opening of the National Convention. No election for delegates shall be conducted before the apportionment of delegates.”
Following Article III, Section 5 of National DSA’s Bylaws, no candidate may run their own election.
Following Article VI, Section 3, of National DSA’s Bylaws, elections of delegates to the National Convention shall be by Scottish Single Transferable Vote.
ARTICLE X. Prohibited Activity.
Northern Colorado Local Chapter shall not engage in activity prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501(c)(4) organizations or similar rules established by the state of Colorado. Nor shall the Local Chapter engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA’s National Convention or DSA’s National Political Committee.
ARTICLE XI. Nominations, Elections, and Recall.
Section 1. Nominations Group.
By vote at a General Meeting, a three (3)-person Nominations Group shall be established at least one (1) month prior to every election. It shall solicit and receive nominations and candidate biographies for the positions to be elected. In accordance with Article V, Section 2, members of the Nominations Group may not be candidates for office in the election they are overseeing.
Section 2. Nominations Process.
Nominations for Local Chapter officers shall be open for at least fourteen (14) days. The call for nominations shall be announced to all members in good standing of Northern Colorado DSA as soon as nominations are open.
Section 3. Elections Process
Elections shall take place asynchronously using an online voting platform. Elections shall be open for at least five (5) days. The Nominations Group shall provide Members in Good Standing with biographies prepared by the candidates along with the ballots.
Section 4. Uncontested Positions.
If a position is uncontested, the nominee may be declared elected by acclamation.
Section 5. Recall
Any officer of the Chapter of DSA may be recalled for malfeasance or failure to fulfill their duties or obligations as an officer.
a. Recall by Vote of the Membership.
In order to recall or remove an officer, a member in good standing must formally refer a request to remove said officer to the Local Chapter Steering Committee, which shall set a date of a Local Chapter Meeting for deliberations on the accused officer’s removal. The officer in question must receive written documentation of the specific reasons for the removal request and notice of the meeting a minimum of two weeks before the meeting takes place. The accused officer shall be given a chance to speak in their own defense at this meeting. Removal of an officer requires a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter Meeting.
b. Recall by Vote of the Steering Committee.
An officer may be recalled by vote of the Steering Committee only under narrow circumstances for failure to do their duty. If an officer misses three consecutive Steering Committee meetings without excuse and fails to respond to attempts by Steering Committee members to communicate, that officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Steering Committee. This action must be reported at the next Local Chapter Meeting, at which time members in good standing may overturn the vote.
ARTICLE XII. Amendments.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members of the Local Chapter of DSA and submitted to the Steering Committee at least one (1) month in advance of a General Meeting. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least two (2) weeks’ written or electronic notice of the proposed amendments. The amendment must be approved by at least two-thirds majority vote of a Local Chapter Meeting.
ARTICLE XIII. Resolutions.
Section 1. Types of Resolutions
Members of the Local Chapter may introduce a resolution to codify chapter goals and stances including, but not limited to, endorsements of candidates running for office in accordance with Article XI, approval of chapter publications, the formation of committees in accordance with Article VIII, and proposing amendments to the existing bylaws in accordance with Article XII.
Section 2. Process
- The process for creating a resolution to form or dissolve a committee is located in Article VIII, Sections 5 and 6. The process for creating a resolution to amend the existing bylaws is found in Article XII. For other resolutions, the process is as follows.
- Written resolutions, endorsed by at minimum three (3) members in good standing, may be submitted to the Steering Committee two weeks prior to a General Meeting to be voted on by the Local Chapter.
- Written resolutions, discussed and approved by a committee, may be introduced during a General Meeting by that committee’s Chair to be voted on by the Local Chapter.
Section 3. Role of the Steering Committee
Resolutions that are proposed by the required number of members in good standing, that do not violate these bylaws or the bylaws of National DSA, and that are written in a manner the Committee finds comprehensible, shall be placed on the agenda for the next General or Emergency Meeting that resolution was drafted for, and notice of a vote on the resolution, including the text of the resolution, shall be transmitted to the membership
ARTICLE XIV. Rules of the Local Chapter.
Section 1. Rules.
The Rules contained in the current Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern this Local Chapter in cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws. Consensus decision-making is desirable where feasible, but meetings must submit to the current Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised upon the request of a member.
Section 2. Action Out of Order.
Any action taken by an officer or member of the Local Chapter in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void.
Section 3. Harassment Policy.
The Local Chapter shall follow the Harassment Policy of national DSA.
ARTICLE XV. Conflict Resolution
The Local Chapter shall follow the Unified Grievance Policy of National DSA.
Any conflict between DSA Northern Colorado members that affects the viability or effectiveness of our group, and cannot be resolved in good faith efforts, shall be subject to mediation. A neutral member of DSA Northern Colorado not involved in the conflict, and agreed upon by all parties involved, shall first meet with each party separately. The mediator shall then lead a conversation between the parties. Agreed upon resolutions shall prioritize effective communication between involved parties. Personal reconciliation should not be a priority for mediation.
Should the initial mediation fail to produce an effective working relationship between parties, any Member in Good Standing may request group mediation to resolve the conflict, which shall take place at the following General Meeting. The conflict shall be described by the mediator, focusing on barriers to working relationships. Group members may then discuss solutions, which should focus on developing a professional, working relationship between those involved.
ARTICLE XVI. Distribution of assets.
Upon dissolution of the organization, any residual assets shall become property of the national organization of Democratic Socialists of America.
Bylaws of DSA Northern Colorado, adopted 01.30.2021, amended 02.07.2026.