About Boulder DSA
The Big Tent
Boulder DSA is a chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the largest socialist organization in the United States with over 95,000 members nationwide.
We're a "big tent" organization. Our members hold different views on strategy, theory, and tactics—but we share a commitment to building a world where working people have democratic control over our government, our economy, and our workplaces.
We're not a political party. We're an activist organization. We don't wait to be told what to do—we organize around the causes that matter to us and build the power we need to win.
How to get involved
Come to a meeting
The easiest way to get started is to show up. Our General Meetings are held on the first Saturday of every month, rotating between Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont. Meetings are open to the public. You don't have to be a member to check us out.
New to socialism? Come to a Socialism 101 session. No background required, just curiosity.
Join DSA
Boulder DSA is a chapter of the national Democratic Socialists of America. To become a voting member, you'll need to join national DSA and pay dues. Dues are on a sliding scale—pay what you can.
Once you've joined, email your proof of membership to boulderdsa@gmail.com, and we'll get you set up with access to our Slack, where most of our coordination happens.
Join a working group
Working groups are where the work happens. Pick one that matches your interests—or start by just showing up to see what clicks. Learn more about our working groups below.
Don't see what you're looking for? You can start a new working group with just two other members. Check Article VIII of our bylaws for details.
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We support workers organizing for better conditions, wages, and dignity. Our members train as organizers, support union drives, show up on picket lines, and fight for living wages.
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Housing is a human right. We fight for tenant protections, eviction defense, and policies that put people over profit. Our members organized and won the No Eviction Without Representation ballot measure.
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We're fighting for publicly funded healthcare as a human right—and standing in solidarity with movements for reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, and disability justice.
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We find and support candidates who share our values, knock doors, and hold elected officials accountable. We also produce voter guides to help working people make informed decisions.
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The climate crisis demands system change. We organize around publicly owned renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, indigenous justice, and a just transition for workers.
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We oppose U.S. militarism and intervention abroad. We stand in solidarity with workers and oppressed people around the world fighting for self-determination.
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We recruit new members and help them find their place in the chapter. If you care about building the organization, this is your group.
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Comms keeps the chapter running and connected. We handle email communications, social media, press outreach, meeting minutes, website updates, and organizing meeting locations. We work across every committee to support communications around all our initiatives—if you want to understand how the whole chapter operates, this is the place to be.
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Our reading group explores socialist theory, history, and strategy. We read and discuss together—no background required, just curiosity and a willingness to dig in. This is where we sharpen our analysis and learn from the movements that came before us.
Policies
Bylaws
How we run our chapter—structure, elections, working groups, and decision-making.
Our commitment to keeping members safe and how we handle misconduct.
Anti-Harassment Policy
Discussion Guidelines
How we talk to each other in meetings—respectful, productive, in solidarity.
Accessibility
We want everyone to be able to participate.
Building a movement means removing barriers—not just in society, but in our own spaces. We're committed to making Boulder DSA accessible to all members, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, immigration status, religion, income, housing status, or family situation.
Here are some ways we put this into practice:
Childcare
We can provide childcare at General Meetings so parents and caregivers can participate. Kids are welcome in our movement. If need childcare at a meeting please let us know ahead of time so we can help arrange it. Email boulder.dsa.accessibility@gmail.com.
Meeting access
Many of our meetings and working groups offer remote options via Zoom. We will always have Zoom access to our General Meeting and the link will be shared in Slack before the meeting.
If you need accommodations for in-person meetings—mobility access, ASL interpretation, language interpretation, large-print materials, or anything else—let us know, and we'll work with you.
Financial barriers
DSA dues are on a sliding scale. If cost is a barrier to participation, reach out—we have options regarding dues relief.
If you have any other accessibility questions or requests, please email boulder.dsa.accessibility@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime for help getting started.
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General meetings are where we conduct chapter business, such as voting on priorities, hearing updates from working groups, and making decisions together.
If you want to speak, raise your hand and someone will add you to "stack" so everyone gets a turn in order.
Everyone is welcome to speak but you don't have to talk—it's fine to just listen your first time.
Only dues-paying members can vote.
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Most of our discussion and coordination happens on Slack. Once you've joined national DSA and paid dues, email your proof of membership to boulderdsa@gmail.com, and we'll send you an invite. We also announce meetings and events through our email list.
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To become a voting member, yes—you'll need to join national DSA and pay dues. Dues are on a sliding scale, so pay what you can. If cost is a barrier, reach out and we'll figure it out.
You do not have to be a dues-paying member to participate in activities or come to meetings.
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DSA is democratically run. No one is going to tell you what to do. But we need people to show up and take action.
Join a working group, come to meetings, knock doors, or help wherever you can. The more you put in, the more we win.
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A caucus is an organized group within DSA that advocates for a particular political strategy or vision. Think of them as internal factions; members who share a perspective on how DSA should operate, what campaigns to prioritize, or how to build socialism.
Caucuses debate, organize, and run candidates for national leadership positions.
If you're interested in shaping DSA at the national level, this guide explains the major caucuses and their differences.
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Yes. If you have a cause that doesn't fit within any of our current working groups, you can start a new one. We recommend sitting in on a few working group sessions first to learn how they operate.
To officially form a working group, you need two other members and a majority vote at a General Meeting. Check Article VIII of our bylaws for details.
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Start by attending one of our Socialism 101 meetings—you can check the calendar for our next meeting.
Once you’re a member, you can also join our Reading Group—we read socialist theory, history, and strategy together.
To start your research, you can also explore:
Stay in the loop
Get updates on actions, meetings, and ways to plug in.