Occupy Denver's finance committee works toward nonprofit status

In the wake of the largest upheaval in the occupation since its eviction from Lincoln Park, Occupy Denver's focus is firmly on taking the steps necessary to guarantee a safer and more permanent future.

One option the group recently voted to support is taking steps toward financial security by establishing the group as an official nonprofit. The process, though, is a lengthy one.

Since the most recent round of 23 arrests, the Thunderdome and the group's legal team, led by the Denver Anarchist Black Cross, have severely diminished their resources by bailing out most of the arrestees so far. Even some of Occupy Denver's budget was allocated to bail fees this week, and with an almost weekly upgrade in the minimum bond rate per protester (this week it was $750), the regular distribution of funds puts a large strain on the occupation's finances.

Kelsey Whipple

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With the creation of the group's first finance committee and PayPal account, the goal was to organize all donations given to Occupy Denver and create budgets for how they are to be spent through the general assembly process. Last week, the GA took its stance one step further by voting to make Occupy Denver either a co-op or a nonprofit, though the second option is favored.

This step would add more stability and official oversight to the group's finances while perhaps making it more likely for people to donate to an institution whose paperwork has been documented and approved. Currently, on-site donations have been made more difficult through the police ticketing cars that stop temporarily in front of Broadway between Colfax and 14th.

"The treasury committee is looking to start a co-op and/or a 501(c)(3), and they're going to do things to make sure that we are self-sufficient and sustainable regarding all of our donations," says camp medic and longtime volunteer Patricia Hughes. "We would prefer not to have to rely on outside entities, and a tax exempt status would definitely help."

As of right now, no paperwork has been filed, but the group is in the process of researching and completing it. "While the headquarters is being taken care of, the committee is in the process of getting itself together," Hughes says. "They need the treasury committee to actually be fully functional before it can do anything, and we've been a bit slow-moving so far. The goal here is ultimate accountability and transparency across the board."

More from our Occupy Denver archive: "Occupy Denver: Police start ticketing drivers who stop to donate in front of Civic Center Park."