By James Ruehmann | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
In the early 2000s, Colorado was a bastion of conservative governance, with a Republican majority steering state politics. But by 2012, Democrats had orchestrated a dramatic resurgence.
Since then, Republicans failed to begin chipping away at their supermajority, until the 2024 elections. This left many conservatives wondering: “What happened?”
The answer lies in a calculated strategy that leveraged non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and political action committees (PACs) to systematically dismantle the conservative majority.
Radical far-left organizations like ProgressNow and Fair Share Action became the vanguard of this transformation, utilizing aggressive grassroots mobilization, strategic funding from the coastal billionaire class and a coordinated message to dominate the political battlefield.
Their influence reshaped Colorado’s policies, pushing a progressive agenda that prioritized the needs of elites over working families.
Now, Colorado is at a breaking point. Runaway crime, rising costs and radical policies have eroded the state’s quality of life.
But as conservatives, we have an opportunity to learn from the left’s playbook and fight back with a network of our own. That’s where Colorado First Action (CFA) comes in.
Colorado First Action is a bold new Political Action Committee dedicated to electing leaders, advancing ballot measures and championing policies that put Colorado and America FIRST.
Our mission is simple: to fight for a future where Colorado’s values, economy and way of life are protected from the reckless, anti-Colorado agenda pushed by elites and far-left politicians.
CFA isn’t just another PAC here to play politics with your money and your time. We’re a political committee with a purpose: to reclaim Colorado for its people by investing in candidates, ballot measures and policies that prioritize families, jobs and freedom.
CFA is designed to be a strategic force in Colorado politics, effectively mobilizing resources from grassroots supporters and key advocates to take back our state. We believe Colorado deserves leaders who answer to the people—not special interests, not Washington insiders and not out-of-touch bureaucrats.
Here’s how CFA builds on lessons from the past to secure our state’s future:
● Strategic Focus: We identify critical races—like county commissioner elections, state legislature contests and key local races—and channel resources where they’ll make the most impact.
● Grassroots Empowerment: By mobilizing supporters at the local level, we back candidates who will fight for conservative principles like school choice, job creation and parental rights.
● A Comprehensive Platform: CFA’s agenda focuses on expanding technical education, securing Colorado’s water rights, defending Second Amendment freedoms and opposing harmful green energy mandates that hurt working families.
The Fight Starts Now
The left’s NGO and PAC strategy didn’t take root overnight—it was a long-term investment. Likewise, our mission requires commitment and perseverance. Colorado First Action is designed to be the middleman for electoral success, turning grassroots energy into tangible victories.
Whether it’s funding school board candidates to protect homeschooling and charter schools or supporting state treasurer and attorney general races, CFA ensures that every dollar and every volunteer effort counts. By drawing inspiration from our opponents’ methods and doubling down on conservative values, we can break the cycle of defeat and build a brighter future for Colorado.
Winning back Colorado isn’t just a dream; it’s a necessity. This is OUR home. And by rebuilding conservative political infrastructure here in the state, whether through financial contributions, volunteering or sharing our message–every effort matters.
Colorado First Action is committed to making your voice heard and putting your resources to work.
Visit coloradofirstaction.org to join the fight. Together, we can restore Colorado’s promise and prove that bold leadership, grassroots engagement, and unwavering principles can triumph over radical agendas.
Let’s take back Colorado—one race, one policy, one victory at a time.
James Ruehmann is an 18-year-old sophomore at Colorado Mesa University, studying energy and land management. Ruehmann launched Colorado First Action in February of this year to elect candidates, champion policy and support ballot measures that put Colorado and America first. Learn more about CFA’s mission at Coloradofirstaction.org.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.