The Colorado Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs
is an active and growing advocacy group for the rights of all
motorcyclists in general, and motorcycle club members in particular.
Working with state motorcycle rights organizations, the National
Coalition of Motorcyclists, and an attorney who provides Aid to
Injured Motorcyclists, the Colorado COC has a proud track record.
Its membership has helped defeat proposals for a helmet law in
Colorado, pushed for sane and biker-safe traffic laws, fought
discrimination in bars, restaurants and other public establishments,
battled the City & County of Denver over its nefarious “spy files,”
and rallied with others for bikers’ rights and children’s charities.
The Colorado Confederation was formed in the
mid-1990’s when J.R., the National President of the Sons of Silence,
MC, found a kindred spirit in California motorcyclist / attorney
Richard Lester. The concept of motorcycle clubs joining together
to fight for biker rights had resulted in a growing network of
state or regional “confederations” under NCOM, the National Coalition
of Motorcyclists. Richard Lester had worked with attorneys across
the country to help build such networks, and to provide the legal
services to help motorcycle clubs battle harassment and discrimination.
J.R. also saw a Colorado Confederation of Clubs
as a means for the state’s various patch-holders to get to know
each other, and to coexist in harmony. From its early days, at
standing-room-only meetings in the sometimes nervous atmosphere
of an Arvada DAV hall, various clubs got used to being around
each other. The initial top officers were Bandido Wild Bill (President),
Nick Nichols (V.P.), and J.R. (as Liaison Officer).
To provide legal skills to help the COC meet
it challenge and fight biker discrimination, Richard Lester interviewed
and retained local attorney Wade Eldridge, a motorcyclist with
biker litigation experience under his belt. Since then, he has
served as the legal advisor to the Colorado Confederation, and
attorney for many of our club members. Wade is one of many “Aid
to Injured Motorcyclist” attorneys nationwide (1-800-ON-A-BIKE)
who specialize in personal injury, discrimination, criminal law,
and first amendment cases.
Before he passed away, J.R. not only saw his
dream of club cooperation come true, but he witnessed his creation,
the Colorado COC, grow and flourish. Such was his influence that,
today, no hint of animosity exists between any attendees at the
Confederation’s approximately nine meetings per year, nor at any
COC events.
Roughly every six weeks, representatives of
(on average) 45 clubs, 5 associate members, and 4 state motorcycle
rights organizations, gather at the VFW hall at 2190 South Platte
River Drive in Denver for Colorado Confederation of Clubs meetings
(members and invited guests only). Issues affecting bikers and
our civil and legal rights are always a topic of discussion, from
local attempts to crack down on noise or biker-friendly establishments,
to federal terrorist laws that have been misapplied to go after
lawful U.S. citizens (and—gasp!—bikers). Candidates for office
are discussed and sometimes dissected, and forums have been held
on controversial legal and activist issues. The COC supports clubs
and confederations in other states that are embroiled in hassles
and legal battles that could eventually have an impact here at
home. We participate in, and hold our own, holiday toy drives
for disadvantaged children, and we throw the occasional biker-friendly
party (ours are the good ones).
Any Colorado Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs
party or event is open to all persons who care about bikers and
motorcyclist rights. We’re an important part of Colorado’s motorcycling
community, and we draw on the strengths of over 50 diverse clubs
and organizations that comprise our membership. Coming events,
and more information about the Colorado COC and its member clubs,
can be found on our EVENTS
PAGE. For as long as two-wheelers roam our highways
and bikers form clubs to ride, we will be here supporting the
rights of all motorcyclists. “Our colors are our creed.”