Meet Cidney Fisk of Wheat Ridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cidney Fisk.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Colorado to a tough but incredibly loving set of parents. I was born in Salida but spent most of my adolescence growing up in Delta. My household was very political as my father was a coal miner and my mother would organize secret union meetings for the miners at our house. I was involved in political advocacy in high school, forming a young democrats chapter and calling attention to issues related to the separation of church and state and the first amendment more widely. Some of the activism I did in high school caught a lot of attention and through the generosity of donors from across the globe and organizations like The Western Colorado Atheists and Freethinkers and The Freedom From Religion Foundation I was able to mostly fund my college education. I was accepted to the University of Denver where I spent my time studying political science and traveling around the world to compete in college debate tournaments. I graduated with my B.A. in Political Science and Socio-Legal studies at the peak of the pandemic. I was heavily involved in street organizing efforts during the 2020 protests against police brutality and state sponsored racism. At the same time I was also hired to run my first campaign for a state house race in Jefferson County. From there I moved through the legislature as a legislative aide. My career at the capitol was briefly interrupted by the passing of my best friend who had died in June of 2021 of a drug overdose. When I returned I found myself in an amazing office and was invited to be a founding member of The Political Workers Guild. I would later serve on the executive board of PWG and bargained with both house and senate leadership over the pay and treatment of legislative aides. During the passage of the Reproductive Rights and Health Equity Act I starting meeting folks in the reproductive rights world. When the fall of Roe came I was busy trying to keep my office maintained and trying to organize resistance. This led me to a job in the reproductive rights space. I did a lot of community organizing over my 3 years at that job including managing field efforts to get Amendment 79 (The constitutional right to abortion) on the ballot. During this huge political lift I was also conspiring with my co-workers about the formation of Cobalt Worker’s United. I was a founding member of the group and served as the functional chair until I was terminated in February of 2025. This was a huge disruption to my life and prompted me to do some real introspection. After a stressful few months of part time work I found myself as a substitute teacher in the Division of Youth Services teaching civics to youth who are incarcerated. I’m 7 months into my contract and I feel I may have found my niche. I hope to stay involved in the betterment of underserved youth, especially those in the carceral system.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth is the last word I’d use to describe any element of my life. I’ve had a very open struggle with mental health and that of course is a major obstacle. It also feels impossible to survive sometimes as someone who was raised in a working class household. In my work I’ve had to fight battles against institutions that were looking to keep people silent and stagnant. From my early days defending my radical leftists beliefs in a deeply red community, to my encounters with Denver police at protests, to bargaining with my bosses I’ve always faced resistance. I feel very fortunate to have the support networks that I do, especially my mom and dad, because it’s made every setback more manageable.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve worked in Colorado politics on many different levels for the past 12 years, some roles being way more significant than others. I’ve done tons of works with elected officials, candidates, campaigns, etc and that might be what I’m best known for, but the work I’m most proud of is what I’m doing now- working with incarcerated students.

In my political work I’m known for being authentic, anti-establishment, and quite radically left. I’ve unionized 2 of my former workplaces. During my time working in abortion politics I grew quite a rolodex of volunteers and donors who I felt very connected to. What set me apart was that I really valued those relationships. It was more than begging for money or time, it was getting to know people and their families and spending countless evenings with them facilitating events. People who are willing to do political work for free deserve tons of respect and kindness and I was proud to be able to give that to them. I was able to connect people over the issue pf reproductive freedom and I made a lot of friends along the way. I am incredibly proud of the work I did on the petition efforts for Amendment 79.

What makes me different from others in the worlds I occupy is that I remain authentic, sometimes to a fault. I have a 1312 tattoo on the front of my body and I work at a correctional facility. I have made waves with my employers in order to form unions. I don’t like to enagage the politics of respectability. I am the squeaky wheel every where I go.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
It’s okay if it doesn’t all happen at first. It’s also okay if it all happens hard and fast. The only thing that matters is that you show up when called upon. Sometimes you’ll get to gloat in the glory of all you have accomplished, but sometimes it feels like the world is crashing down on you. All feelings, good and bad, pass eventually.

I wish I knew a lot sooner that it was okay to have my own life separate from the work I do. It’s okay if I want to go party and be hungover. It’s okay if sometimes I’m a bit lazy. It’s okay to take time away to be with friends and loved ones. Try to see some more parts of the world before the climate crisis changes them completely.

Finally, it’s okay if you feel alone in your work, even if it’s community work. There is still a cookie cutter expectation for people in political and other professional fields. I’ve never quite fit that mold. I love marijuana, gangster rap, and bad horror movies. You can be you and do it all!

Contact Info:

• Other: cydnisnest@gmail.com