By Jen Schumann | Contributing Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Beneath the wide-open skies of Western Colorado, a clash of ideologies is quietly unfolding that could shake the foundations of its conservative stronghold.
In towns like Grand Junction and Fruita, socialist ideology is finding fertile ground in the form of The Revolutionist, a grassroots publication distributed across 20 locations — from coffee shops to counseling offices and specialty smoking accessory stores.
This shift raises questions about whether the region’s core principles of free-market capitalism, individual liberty and the rule of law will remain intact, or if they’ll erode under the growing influence of socialist activism.
The revival of The Revolutionist draws a direct line to the early 20th century, when socialist movements briefly gained traction in Grand Junction. Central to this history is S.B. Hutchinson, America’s first socialist chief of police and the original publisher of The Revolutionist.
While Hutchinson’s resignation in 1913 under City Council pressure highlights the pushback against socialist ideals in his time, the reemergence of his publication suggests these ideas are once again taking root.
The question now is whether Western Colorado, known for its rugged individualism and entrepreneurial spirit, will resist or repeat history.
The Revolutionist accuses Grand Junction of waging a “war on the unhoused,” citing park closures and police sweeps.
The increasing presence of The Revolutionist in Grand Junction’s public discourse can be seen at City Council meetings, where calls for housing solutions have grown louder. These moments of public outcry can often be traced back to the publication’s influence. In its Winter 2023 edition, The Revolutionist issued a Call to Action, urging residents to attend public meetings and demand systemic change.
The publication declared:
“The first step is to start showing up. Then start speaking up. Finally start taking action…We need to be at every meeting that they will let us in, demanding the only solution: Housing! Housing Now! Housing Yesterday!”
The Revolutionist paints its housing critiques as a fight against systemic neglect, but it sidesteps an important issue: how progressive city policies might be making the crisis worse.
Local builders point to progressive City Council regulations — like requirements for costly infrastructure upgrades, steep fees and complicated approval processes — that drive up costs and discourage single-family home construction. As a result, developers often shift their focus to high-density apartments, leaving young families with fewer affordable options and pushing them to find housing outside the city.
City officials argue that these measures are meant to prevent urban sprawl and promote sustainable growth. But critics say they actually deepen the housing crisis by limiting the types of housing available, hitting first-time buyers and families the hardest.
Despite these concerns, The Revolutionist has stayed quiet, avoiding any critique of policies that some say hinder market-driven solutions.
The publication’s critiques, including allegations against municipal courts for neglecting to uphold legal standards, seem less about solutions and more about undermining the institutions that safeguard societal order.
A cornerstone of any thriving community is respect for law enforcement. Yet, The Revolutionist relentlessly attacks local policing efforts, even condemning the SPEAR task force for using Spartan symbolism, which it links to far-right extremism.
The publication’s rhetoric aligns with broader national trends aiming to weaken public trust in the institutions that preserve safety and justice.
The rise of The Revolutionist serves as a warning to Western Colorado conservatives.
Western Colorado has long been known as a place where conservative values run deep, built on a strong belief in free-market capitalism, the rule of law, individual freedom and personal responsibility.
At question is whether these defining principles can be maintained without the awareness of a mobilizing force that seeks to redefine reality without them. Some suggest that a lack of awareness among conservative residents creates a false sense of security.
This beckons curiosity about whether the 20 distribution locations in Mesa County even understand the ideological forces at play for the minds of residents?
If you spot a copy of The Revolutionist at a coffee shop or pizza place, it’s worth asking why business owners or employees might choose to share socialist ideas with customers.
As the seeds of socialism sprout in the conservative soil of Western Colorado, one must wonder: Will the conservative flag continue to wave over Western Colorado, or is it destined to be replaced by the colors of socialism?