COLLIER: HB24-1067 is a Government Takeover of Party Autonomy
New CO bill erodes COLOGOP just a little bit more
It seems 2024 is the year of terrible legislation in the state of Colorado. From a slew of anti-Second Amendment legislation to the inability of Democrats to hold those who sexually prey on the young accountable, the beat goes on of Leftist desires. But there’s a new bill making its way through the state legislature that seems to secretly aim at deconstructing the political process and inject a “Big Brother” system forced upon not only our state party, but the Democrats as well.
Enter Colorado House Bill 24-1067. This bill represents a troubling encroachment on our party’s autonomy as a private organization, wielding legislative power to dictate internal processes and the nominating process.
At its core, the bill mandates video teleconference requirements for participation in Republican and Democrat caucuses and assemblies. Now, at first glance, zoom meetings make life easier for many, as we’ve all gone through the faux realm of COVID. But just like many bills passed by this legislature, there are dangerous strings attached.
The bill is terribly written and mandates that "any person" is allowed to take part in our caucus. If you were watching any of the Super Tuesday results like I was, you’ll see that Vermont went for Governor Nikki Haley. That vote was achieved because Democrats and Independents could take part in the Republican primary there, which is an open primary. This House Bill essentially turns our caucus and assembly processes into a clown show that, legally speaking, would allow other registered entities to participate in our process.
It gets worse. The bill opens the door to litigation against both county parties and the state GOP by introducing a new “private right of action” for trial lawyers to file lawsuits under the guise of parties allegedly violating disabilities. This threat of legal action not only creates a chilling effect on the party’s activities, but would undoubtedly divert precious resources and attention away from productive political endeavors — things like educating our neighbors through get out the vote outreach — instead, we’d be battling frivolous lawsuits based on the unclear and undefined language in the bill.
This bill doesn’t stop there. It will also weaken the party’s infrastructure and grassroots support over time. How? Because HB 24-1067 undermines the established process of fair ballot access by extending the time petition-only candidates get to both circumvent the party of which they say they want to be the nominee, as well as injecting more money into politics to pay companies and consultants to collect signatures on their behalf.
This provision effectively circumvents the Republican Party’s established rules and procedures for candidate endorsement, further tilting the playing field in favor of out-of-state big money candidates who have nothing but disdain for the party base voter and their principles. By bypassing longstanding and respected internal party mechanisms, this bill diminishes the GOP’s ability to uphold its values and vote on candidates through assembly who truly represent our voters. Perhaps that may be the reason why State Senators Barbara Kirkmeyer and Larry Liston are supporting the legislation, who joined only after this amendment was added. So much for respecting the very party they say they represent.
In essence, HB 24-1067 represents a coercive overreach by the state into the private affairs of both the Colorado Republican and Democrat Parties, and their nomination processes. Instead of fostering a vibrant and independent political ecosystem, the bill imposes mandates and legal threats that undermine the party’s autonomy and established processes. I hope that someone will wake up and challenge this legislation before it's too late.
Steve Collier
Highlands Ranch, CO
Editor’s note: This is part of a series of opinion letters on Colorado legislation written by Mr. Collier, a precinct committee person serving the DCGOP.
