It is time, once again, for Colorado Times Recorder’s weekly recap on Colorado stories about extremism. First up, we have an opinion piece from Logan Davis that highlights the ways that Christian Nationalists in Colorado have been emboldened by Trump’s electoral victory. Also on the docket this week is reporting from Jason Salzman on newly elected Colorado DA George Brauchler’s admission that he plans to ‘find a way’ to sidestep Colorado law to enforce deportation policies — and a roundup by Owen Swallow looking at which candidates who denied the results of the 2020 election were successful in their electoral endeavors (It’s most of them.). We’ve also decided to feature an article by Colorado Community Media’s Ellis Arnold on the state Labor Department finding that the Douglas County Sheriff and Commissioners engaged in unlawful and unfair labor practices in their efforts to avoid unionization.
George Brauchler
CO District Attorney Promises To ‘Find a Way’ To Sidestep Laws Forbidding Local Police From Helping Feds Arrest Migrants
He says it’s “tricky,” but George Brauchler, who was elected last week as the district attorney for a newly created judicial district in Colorado, is promising to “find a way” to allow local law enforcement to work with federal officials seeking to arrest immigrants, even when Colorado law ostensibly prohibits such cooperation.
DAVIS: Two Prosecutors are Bickering. They’re Both Wrong.
Two of the state’s most prominent law enforcement figures have spent the month bickering in the pages of the Phil Anschutz-owned Gazette. What started with a broadside from former and would-be future District Attorney George Brauchler against Denver District Attorney Beth McCann has devolved into a back-and-forth race to the bottom as the prosecutors take turns embodying the worst impulses of the American justice system.
George Brauchler Running for District Attorney
It’s official: George Brauchler is once again running for office; he filed for the brand-new 23rd Judicial District Attorney race yesterday. Rumors about his entry have been circulating for months, sometimes even fed by Brauchler himself, who would avoid making any definitive statements when callers to his KNUS morning radio show would occasionally ask him about it.
Spiked: A Conservative ‘Shadow’ Hangs Over Colorado Newspapers Owned by GOP Billionaire Phil Anschutz
Vince Bzdek, the editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette, had already forced Megan Schrader to lower her ethical bar — as a journalist — well below her comfort level.
GOP Mega Donor, Who Funded CO Right-Wing Radio Hosts’ Trip to El Paso, Suggest Feds Use Undocumented Immigrants To Bolster Social Security
When Colorado Republican mega-donor Steve Wells turns his attention to the immigration problems along the southern border, he concludes that “everything that’s going on is extremely intentional.”
BRIEF: Former Colorado District Attorney Justifies Voting for Trump to Stop ‘Chicoms’ and Immigrants
During a segment of his KNUS radio show Tuesday, former district attorney George Brauchler defended his choice to vote for former president Donald Trump, in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, on the grounds that Trump would protect the U.S from ‘Chicoms’, a slang term for Chinese Communists, and from immigrants seeking citizenship in the United States.
“Stump The Clerk” Radio Show Let Callers Question Expert About Election Integrity
Despite ongoing unfounded fears of election fraud among Republican voters, at least some prominent Colorado conservatives are working to debunk the conspiracy theories and disinformation being peddled by the far-right wing of their own party.
Forced to Choose Between Vaccine Cards or Guns, CO GOP’s Gun-Free Assembly Venue Infuriates Base
Colorado GOP chair Kristi Burton Brown says selecting a venue for this Saturday’s Republican state assembly forced her to make a difficult choice between two evils for principled conservatives: banning guns or having to share vaccine status.
GOP Leader Says a Vague Stance on Abortion Won’t Fly With CO Voters
A leading Colorado Republican, who lost a bid for statewide office in 2018, is counseling fellow Republicans not to dodge questions on abortion in this year’s election, saying people won’t accept statements like, “It’s a tough issue to tackle.”