We are thrilled to share the success of our very first locally run "mini-deliberation" – an experiment in collective problem-solving and inclusive decision-making, organized and executed entirely by local volunteers via the Catalyst and Connectors Club (CCC). This pioneering initiative has set the stage for future community-driven efforts across various issues related to the greater Montrose area.

In early 2024, the Catalyst and Connectors Club (CCC) initiated discussions to enhance Main Street’s appeal and mobility. On February 12, CCC members gathered and unanimously agreed on the need for clearer parking signage to guide visitors to nearby lots, improving accessibility. This widely supported idea became our first project. Unify Montrose, our dedicated volunteer group, presented the parking proposal to city officials, who responded positively. A dynamic team was quickly formed, including members from Unify Montrose and Michelle Wingfield from the Development and Revitalization Team (DART), the city’s Main Street program.

Our journey continued on February 15, when the team met at City Hall to discuss current challenges and strategies to enhance Main Street’s appeal. This meeting was crucial in establishing our shared goal and guiding our deliberative process.

Enhance Main Street’s appeal and accessibility by optimizing off-Main parking, encouraging walkability, and cultivating a connected downtown experience. We aim to balance the needs of businesses with the community’s vision for a vibrant, inviting space.

On March 11, Michelle Wingfield shared DART’s initiatives to boost business growth and community vibrancy, presenting key details about Main Street parking. We gathered ideas from CCC members and city efforts, compiling them into a series of 14 proposed actions.

The real magic happened during our deliberation sessions on April 26 and May 20. These sessions, attended by 14 and 13 participants respectively, were the heart of our mini-deliberation experiment. With the support of volunteer facilitators, we discussed the proposed actions, collected feedback through sticky notes, and shared insights openly. The collective input highlighted a strong community interest in improving Main Street’s parking and walkability, supporting a more inviting and efficient downtown area.

This report captures the essence of our deliberative process, showcasing the community’s collective insights and feedback. It’s a testament to the power of citizens coming together for a common cause.

Read our full report to discover the detailed findings and proposed actions.

The representative assembly of Montrose residents voted in November 2023, and five ideas to help solve the local childcare problem received more than two-thirds support.

Here’s the demographic details for the 46 Delegates who participated in the Assembly for the full 12 weeks.

Here’s the week-by-week experience of the Unify Montrose Assembly of Delegates

Unify America was searching for a municipality with between 15,000 and 50,000 people in which to run this pilot for a Citizen’s Assembl

Unify Montrose is a partnership between Montrose residents and Unify America, a national, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps communities collaboratively solve problems using the model of public deliberation.

The Deliberation begins with a shared goal, which was established after discussions with Montrose residents, business leaders, experts, and officials starting in February 2023 and finalizing the language in June 2023.

The randomly selected panel of 64 Delegates matches the demographics of Montrose County based on data from the 2020 Census within an 11% margin, and a majority of the demographic categories listed on the following page are below a 4% margin.

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, Unify Montrose randomly selected the community members to serve on the 64-person assembly to help solve the serious childcare shortage in Montrose.

Missed our Deliberation Lottery last night? No worries! Catch up and watch the recording now.

Thanks to the Forum for hosting Unify America founder Harry Nathan Gottlieb. Watch the full video here.

Unify Montrose is hiring for this summer! If you’re interested in a paid summer experience packed with new experiences, new people and perspectives, and purpose, you can join the team as a Contract Canvasser in Montrose, Colorado!

Read the March 2023 Montrose Daily Press’s coverage on how Unify America is bringing Montrose together for solutions.

Unify America is on a mission to replace political fighting with collaborative problem-solving. Here’s what that means for Montrose.