Last Thursday, KOA radio hosts repeatedly asked U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) why U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd didn’t join Evans and two other Republican members of Colorado’s congressional delegation in signing a letter blasting Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) on crime issues.
“I unfortunately can’t speak for everybody here in Congress, and so that would be something that you’d have to reach out to Congressman Hurd about,” Hurd told KOA co-hosts Marty Lenz and Jeana Gondek, when asked for the second time why Hurd’s name wasn’t on the letter, which was signed by Evans and Colorado Reps. Lauren Boebert and Jeff Crank.
Hurd’s congressional office didn’t respond to a request for an explanation for why he didn’t sign the letter to Polis.
The Sept. 12 letter called on Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, to “address public safety in our communities and make much needed reforms to the criminal justice system in the State of Colorado.” The three congresspeople called for a “second special legislative session, this time for the sole purpose of addressing crime in Colorado.” They also demanded action on a recent high-profile crime and the repeal of at least three laws signed by Polis. Polis responded by issuing a statement that he’d collaborate with members of Congress to “fix or eliminate” any laws that are “hurting public safety.”
On Sept. 16, Evans along with Colorado Republican Reps. Lauren Boebert and Jeff Crank held a virtual news conference to draw attention to the letter and their requests of Polis. Hurd did not participate in the news conference.
Reporters questioned some of the letter’s claims during the press conference. One noted that the bill the GOP trio cited as responsible for their lead example passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both chambers. Another asked why, as Members of Congress, they decided to spend time on state issues when they are facing a potential government shutdown, expiring health insurance subsidies, and the Epstein files discharge petition.
This isn’t the first time Hurd has parted ways with his Republican House colleagues from Colorado.
In January, Boebert, Crank, and Evans sent a letter to Polis, demanding the repeal of immigrant-protection laws. Hurd did not sign, explaining at the time via a spokesperson that he was invited to add his name to the letter, but wanted to take a different approach, which included meetings with stakeholders.
In May, Evans and Boebert held a news conference in front of the Colorado Capitol to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill. Neither Hurd nor Crank participated.
