When it comes to elections, Colorado’s performance doesn’t exactly sparkle. The political establishment loves to tout Colorado as the “gold standard” of elections, yet an additional $5 million in taxpayer dollars is being funneled into the system this year. However, the reality falls short. Voter rolls are outdated, as evidenced by a lawsuit against the Secretary of State last year, which taxpayers funded. Thousands of voter registration forms were erroneously sent to unauthorized individuals, compounding local concerns.
The electoral landscape in Colorado paints an intriguing picture: roughly 50% of voters are Unaffiliated, 26% are Republican, and 24% are Democratic. These percentages fluctuate depending on the location. Despite this, the Unaffiliated bloc reigns supreme, while Republicans and Democrats vie for a lesser share. Minor parties, although present, play a marginal role.
Curiously, Democrats hold a supermajority in the legislature and wield significant influence. Their stronghold can only be maintained with support from Unaffiliated voters. Why, then, do Unaffiliated voters, who have disassociated from party affiliations, choose to align with Democrats? Perhaps because Republican outreach is lacking. As residents of an Unaffiliated household, we are inundated with Democratic propaganda but hear nothing from the Republican camp. So, why would Unaffiliated voters lean towards Democrats? Perhaps it’s because Democrats actively engage with them, and a portion of the electorate believes their messaging, despite their track record on issues like rights, inflation, and taxes.
I pose the question once more: are there leaders among the Unaffiliated/Independent voters? If so, have you contemplated seeking elected office? Colorado is in dire need of your leadership. You need not engage in party primaries, which have become arenas for Republican infighting. There are subpar candidates who expect your vote to secure their position, but they may not survive the onslaught from Democrats in the general election. The Democratic attack machine will scrutinize every facet of your life, wielding any dirt they unearth against you. If you fit the mold of a lackluster Republican candidate, I implore you to step aside and make room for an Unaffiliated candidate. The stakes for our county, state, and nation surpass personal sentiments.
To conservative Unaffiliated voters feeling the call to participate in elections, I urge you to heed the call. Be the leader that Colorado needs and seize the opportunity to make a difference.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 