Pat Malone

Pat at a glance:

• Position in APA: New Member Coordinator
• My Favorite Arvada Restaurants:  Lot One
• Top Reason I Love Arvada area: It’s where I found my political ‘tribe’ after moving here 11 years ago.
• My Favorite Arvada Park: Wood Run, in my former neighborhood

Pat Malone has lived in Arvada for 11 years, and is often the first face you will encounter when attending or joining APA. Though she was on the original leadership team she stepped away to be an active member, primarily focusing on new members when they join APA, either via Facebook, showing up at a meeting, or via our website. “The devastation of Trump being elected brought me to the very first gathering that later became Arvadans for Progressive Action.”

Pat’s passions include Healthcare, Political Action, and Communications. “Health care is a human right. The fact that Americans go bankrupt or have to set up GoFundMe pages to pay medical bills is outrageous in the richest country in the world. I am passionate about seeing universal health care in Colorado, if not supported federally. I am also part of the APA Communications Team because it’s so important that we keep talking with each other, and sharing stories, to remain vigilant in protecting democracy. Political Action inspires me to support campaigns of candidates whose values reflect my own.” If you see someone keeping notes during a meeting for follow-up action items, you can bet it’s Pat. 

Pat’s interests include travel and staying connected with family and friends. “I spent 10 days visiting my 5 siblings and extended family back east this summer. This year I’ve gone to Puerto Vallarta, Washington, DC, Santa Fe, New York State, and have a Chicago trip coming up in October. My idea of fun is being with family and friends. Although I never had children, I managed to have 6 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter who all live locally.”

Taylor Jarnagin

Taylor at a glance:

• Position in APA: Environment Team Lead
• My Favorite Arvada Restaurants:  Las Potrancas – 64th & Simms
• Top Reason I Love Arvada area: It is where my family is: one spouse, two daughters, one son-in-law, and two of the best grandchildren in the world.
• My Favorite Arvada Park: Ralston Central Park

Taylor Jarnagin has lived in Arvada for five years, and joined APA because “I want to be involved in Progressive issues and make a difference at the local level: Think globally, act locally!” RFK said it best: “Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not.” This is what I feel is the beating heart of Progressivism. The belief that it is possible to improve human societies through personal, social, and political action.

Taylor’s passions include affordable housing, political action, and the environment – the latter of which he shepherds through leading APA’s Environment Action Team.  

I think that environmental degradation and global warming are the greatest physical threats humans face, today and in the future. I think income and wealth inequality are the root of the largest social issues we face as a community and country. I think the rise of authoritarian ideology and social/religious intolerance are the greatest societal threats we face today. I refuse not to fight back.

I believe that how we treat animals is a reflection of how we treat ourselves and others. “Love me, love my dog” quote from Ernest Thompson Seton, “Wild Animals I Have Known” Published: 1898

When Taylor is not leading a clean-up of the Ralston Creek, he enjoys reading, gaming (Lord of the Rings Online), walking, playing with his dog and grandsons, and working to elect local folks who will work to improve the quality of life in Arvada. Taylor was our grillmaster at the APA BBQ this summer.

Julie Callahan

Julie at a glance:

• Position in APA: Social Coordinator
• My Favorite Arvada Restaurants: Home Cookin’ and Tequila’s
• Top Reason I Love Arvada area: The people are friendly and the trails are epic!!
• My Favorite Arvada Park: Ralston Creek Trail and Danny Kendrick East Park

Julie Callahan has lived in Arvada for several years. She is active in APA and champions our social activities and other social events in the community. Julie’s passions include women’s rights and voting rights. 

Julie joined APA when Trump was elected because it was a “wake-up call” that we were losing the narrative to a (in my opinion) dangerous cult. Breaking through the “Fox News” cultish mindset is not easy. She considers herself an optimist and believes it can and must be done if we are to get back to any type of normal in our country.

“I believe most people agree on most things regarding our lives: good health, safe environment, good jobs, hope for the future. We are divided when bad actors stir up nonsensical issues (i.e. Hunter Biden’s laptop; migrant workers “invading”)  If we are open to meeting, chatting, discussing… we can impact others’ beliefs and experiences.”  

Something you might not know about Julie: “I was an MP in Desert Storm and guarded enemy prisoners of war.”

Hobbies: When not pursuing her passions, Julie enjoys reading, gardening, being outdoors, TALKING to people, watching movies, listening to some epic podcasts, and hanging out with my family!

A great way to meet Julie is to join the APA book club! Please send her a text (720-633-1348) if you would like to join!

Jim Crider

Jim at a glance:

• Position in APA: Treasurer
• My Favorite Arvada Restaurant: Still deciding
• Top Reason I Love Arvada area: Mountains and progressives!
• My Favorite Arvada Park: Ralston Creek Trail

Jim Crider has lived in Arvada for several years and joined APA because he believes that societies and communities need voluntarism and connection in order to thrive, and he wanted to meet like-minded people. Jim serves as the Treasurer for APA, and when he’s not advocating for the environment he enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and playing games.  

“Climate change is the essential issue of our time, affecting everyone in the world. Political action is how we make an impact on that and other big issues,” according to Jim. 

Jim grew up on the west coast, got history degrees from the University of the Pacific and Northern Illinois, and taught U.S. History, Sociology of Gender, and Contemporary American Issues in the Chicago suburbs.

He has written an unpublished book called “POTUS in Heels: 42 Women Who Should Have Been President (and what they’d have done with the job).”