Four Republican candidates vying to be Colorado’s next governor came together over the weekend for the first official forum of the campaign to replace term-limited Jared Polis next year – and put on the strangest, bleakest performance I have seen in my decade-plus political career in the process. As the candidates took turns painting a vision of what they see as wrong with Colorado and how they hope to make it right again, each provided a glimpse into a dark fantasy world which bears little resemblance to our own.
Mark Baisley
Republican Infighting Starts Early for Gubernatorial Race
Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidates introduced their campaigns and gave stump speeches during a June 26 legislative recap event in Loveland. Among the candidates were Representatives Mark Baisely (R-Roxborough Park) and Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs, former congressman and Parker mayor Greg Lopez, lawyer William McBride, and others who were united in their goal of turning Colorado into a red state. State Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer (R-Brighton) who has long been rumored to be entering the race as well, also spoke via remote video, but did not announce her candidacy.
BRIEF: CO Republicans Kick Off Legislative Session With First Anti-Trans Bill of the Year, Targeting Insurance for Gender-Affirming Healthcare Providers
The bill has been assigned to the House Health & Human Services Committee for review.
CO Lawmaker Falsely Claims Images Of Harris Rallies Are AI-enhanced
Last week, state Sen. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park) claimed in a Facebook post that recent images of Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign rallies were “AI generated.” Baisley posited that these videos violate Colorado’s Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures Act, and should be reported to Colorado Secretary of State Jenna Griswold.
Anti-LGBTQ Bigotry Abounds at Christian Homeschoolers’ Day at the Capitol
During the rally, one homeschool advocate likened CHEC’s fight for homeschool freedom to the civil rights movement to end legalized racial discrimination.
DAVIS: How the Fate of a Casino Bill Reveals the Legislature’s Fundamental Flaws
It was 8:52 on a Saturday night when the bill died. The legislative session was barreling towards a close, constrained by the 120-day limit enshrined in the state’s constitution, and there was more business to get through.
A Roundup of Attacks on Drag Shows by Colorado Conservatives in 2022
Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is on the rise across the U.S. and in Colorado, and drag shows have become a central target of the right. Conservatives have attacked and vilified drag shows and performers, saying they are part of a left-wing effort to indoctrinate children through grooming.
WARNING: These Republican Election Deniers Are on Colorado’s Election Ballot
The Colorado Republican Party has at least 15 candidates on Colorado’s current election ballot who baselessly promote election conspiracies. Depending on how you define “election conspiracist,” there could be many more.
Colorado Politicians Address Christian Fundamentalists in Woodland Park
While this weekend’s 2022 Truth and Liberty Conference, a gathering of right-wing Christians near Colorado Springs, didn’t tread any new ground ideologically — evangelical voters have long been opposed to LGBTQ rights and progressive policies — it did illustrate the continuing influence that Andrew Wommack’s entities — Truth and Liberty, Charis Bible College, and Andrew Wommack Ministries — have on politics.
Colorado Chamber of Commerce Endorses Election Conspiracists for the Legislature
Earlier this month, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsements of state legislative candidates for the 2022 election, saying the candidates selected by the chamber, “all demonstrated a dedication to working with the business community to support forward-thinking policies that will promote job creation and opportunity for all Coloradans.”