By Lindy Browning | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
In what some denounce as an attempt to consolidate power for GOP Chairman Dave Williams, the Republican Party has proposed a last-minute change to the organization’s bylaws on Jan. 30.
Colorado Congressional Republicans, supported by state Senate Republicans, have written an open letter rejecting these changes.
“As Colorado’s four Republican members of Congress, we write to express our united and unequivocal opposition to the proposed bylaw amendments under consideration by the Colorado Republican Party. As a party, we should not be taking votes to radically change our rules under a lame-duck administration, additionally, these changes threaten to undermine our ability as a party to focus on the issues that matter most to the people of Colorado and advance a bold conservative agenda,” reads the letter.
The letter is signed by U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd.
Continuing, it reads, ”The proposed amendments appear to centralize power in the hands of a few, sidelining grassroots members who are the backbone of the Colorado Republican Party. This top-down approach risks alienating the very activists and voters who drive our success, and work tirelessly to elect strong conservatives to office. As Republicans, we believe in empowering the individuals, not consolidating control to a select few.”
Colorado Senate Republicans agreed the proposed amendments are simply a consolidation of power, a power grab that removes elected officials who were elected by the people and who, under the current bylaws, are voting members of the State GOP Central Committee.
In a subheading in the letter from the Republican Congressional elected officials titled “Dave Williams Failed Leadership”, the representatives say, “Under Chairman Dave Williams, the Colorado GOP has been plagued with infighting and distractions that have undermined our ability to deliver for the people of Colorado.”
The letter says that instead of reaching out to successful candidates and campaigns after the primary, Chairman Williams refused to repair the relationships and offer his support, and that his actions have repeatedly divided the party.
“This is not the leadership that our voters and activists deserve, and it is not the leadership that will help Republicans win in Colorado,” it reads.
But, Colorado GOP Chair Williams has challenged the elected Congressional Republicans to a debate on the issue.
“Rather than resorting to personal ad hominem attacks in a divisive letter against state party leaders, let’s have a merit-focused debate in front of the entire membership. If the party’s congressional delegation is unwilling to have an honest discussion in front of everyone without engaging in personal attacks, then that speaks more to their true motivations,” said Williams in his response.
“To that end, I challenge the entire Republican congressional delegation to a rational debate on the merits of these proposals in front of the SCC before the vote is taken,” challenged Williams.
With Williams at the helm of the GOP, many believe the party is the most divided it’s ever been. As chairman, Williams openly attacked the Log Cabin Republicans, allegedly used state GOP resources for his own campaign, and endorsed candidates in the Republican primary over other Republicans, something that has never been done. Of the 18 candidates endorsed, only 4 won their elections.
Some on social media have speculated, particularly on Amendment 6 in the proposed bylaw changes, that the amendment is Williams’ attempt at revenge.
By purging of nearly all elected Republicans from the Colorado House, senators, Board of Education members, CU Regents and district attorneys who are currently voting members of the SCC, it appears that it could be in retribution of those elected officials voting to remove Williams as chairman in a contested vote to remove him last fall.
But, in a party email signed by Williams, he says that in the past two SSC meetings, only 12% of elected officials participated, anyway. In an early January meeting, he says 4 of 52 such officials participated.
Others say they are worried it looks like payback for new congressional representatives — Boebert, Hurd, Crank and Evans — who called for Williams’ resignation months ago.
“Our success as a party relies on empowering the grassroots, fostering unity and delivering solutions…The bylaw changes are counterproductive to these principles. By consolidating power, the Colorado GOP risks alienating members, diminishing trust and weakening a unified message to the voters,” concluded the letter.
Sen. Janice Rich of Grand Junction said on social media, “the Republican senators believe our votes should not be taken away from us by the Colorado GOP.”
In a Facebook post, Kevin McCarney said, “The GOP has a tremendous opportunity to win the governorship in 2026, but not with the current leadership.”
McCarney has announced he will run for the state Republican chair this spring. Brita Horn has also announced she is running for the chairmanship.