The Colorado Democratic Party announced today that it has awarded $30,000 in grant funding to county parties as part of its Colorado County Comeback strategic initiative. Alamosa, Chaffee, Douglas, El Paso, Garfield, Grand, Huerfano, Mesa, Ouray, Park, Pueblo, and Routt counties all received grants to help support candidates, campaign planning, training, and staff support for this year’s county commissioner races.
“We built the Colorado County Comeback program with the mindset that the next frontier of Colorado politics is local.,” said Shad Murib, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, in a news release. “While national politics dominates the spotlight, it is County Commissioners who often impact our lives the most — from protection of our public lands to better zoning laws for small businesses and affordable housing, local elected officials are shaping the future of our state and the next generation.”
According to the Colorado Democratic Party, of Colorado’s county commissioners, only 34% are Democrats. Republicans and conservatives are also well-represented on Boards of Education, city councils, and other county-level positions. With the success of Democrats in the legislature and in statewide races, Republicans have increasingly focused on down-ballot races in Colorado.
Colorado Rep. Don Wilson (R-Monument) and Sen. Kevin Van Winkle (R-Castle Rock), both serving in conservative districts, decided not to seek reelection, choosing instead to focus on a run for commissioner seats in El Paso and Douglas Counties respectively. Wilson narrowly lost his primary race to anti-development activist Bill Wysong, who will face Democrat Naomi Lopez in November.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Colorado County Comeback program,” said Mischa Smith, Chair of the El Paso County Democrats, in a news release. “Great minds think alike — our ‘Contact the County’ initiative shares the same community-focused vision. This support will bolster our efforts, ensuring that our voices are heard and our values represented. We look forward to leveraging this grant to expand our outreach and campaign initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to a stronger, more inclusive El Paso County.”
In recent years, El Paso County’s all-Republican Board of County Commissioners, led by Carrie Geitner, has denied grant funding to nonprofits over issues relating to abortion, LGBTQ policies, and statements on Supreme Court decisions. Geitner has also led the commissioners in taking action against immigrants in El Paso County.
In February, El Paso County Commissioners held a press conference to oppose offering aid to migrants.
“I urge our nonprofit community and partners to refrain from welcoming this crisis by welcoming migrants,” said Geitner. “Keep going. Do not stop here in El Paso County. We will not shelter.”
In May, El Paso County Commissioners joined Douglas County in a lawsuit opposing Colorado laws that prohibit local governments from cooperating with the federal government in immigration matters.
“Illegal immigration burdens our county’s social services, and the competition for county resources jeopardizes the delivery of other essential services,” read a May 7 press release from El Paso County. “As elected officials, we firmly uphold the principles of legal immigration. We encourage both state officials and local law enforcement agencies to abide by and enforce Federal and State immigration laws.”
In Douglas County, Van Winkle will face Democrat Josh Smith.
“Douglas County Democrats are incredibly excited to receive this Colorado County Comeback grant,” said Indira Duggirala, Chair of the Douglas County Dems, in a news release. “We have an incredible slate of community minded candidates who are prepared to flip Douglas blue, and this grant is precisely what we need to help get them over the finish line. With CDP’s backing and campaign support in this crucial election year, our battleground county is ready to work hard and elect Democrats up and down the ballot.”
