Drake Hunter | Commentary, RMV NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice
Last night’s Northeast Colorado Legislative Wrap-Up at Rez Church in Loveland wasn’t just a review of bills and budgets—it was, for many of us, a clear-eyed call to civic action.
Several hundred attendees gathered to hear from elected officials representing Colorado’s northeastern counties, including a few rising voices in the state’s Republican ranks. Among them were Reps. Ryan Gonzalez and Carlos Barron, two principled young leaders quickly gaining traction with voters across Colorado.
The event was thoughtfully organized by NoCo Wrap-Up, marking its inaugural year. Well-coordinated and engaging, it was also refreshingly focused on substance over spectacle. It set a high bar and laid the foundation for what many hope will become a vital annual tradition.
Weld County Commissioner Scott K. James offered a candid assessment of the current political landscape.
“Being in the minority is daunting,” James said. “But this is no time to retreat. Conservatives need to get involved and support candidates and elected Republicans. Real people need to be doing real things on the ground to influence others to vote and support Republicans.”
He pointed to legislation such as HB25-1312 and SB25-003 as particularly troubling, describing them as part of an escalating trend toward government overreach.
Despite frustration with the session’s outcomes, the atmosphere at the event was far from defeated. A shared spirit of encouragement and unity shaped the evening. Legislators emphasized lessons learned and outlined a clear direction for future organizing—focused on local leadership development, community engagement, and effective communication.
James ended on an optimistic note.
“All our elected representatives are outstanding, but I am especially excited about Reps. Carlos Barron and Ryan Gonzalez—these are bright young men and the future of our party.”
The 2025 legislative session may be in the books, but for many who attended the wrap-up, the real work is just beginning—door to door, conversation by conversation, across the plains of Colorado.
Drake Hunter is the author of Wonderfully Weird Living, a thought-provoking book that challenges individuals to embrace their unique design and live with purpose. He is the Founder of 4D Living and currently serves as the Senior Pastor at Elevating Life Church, where he inspires others to grow in faith, leadership, and personal transformation. In addition to his ministry and writing, Drake is an ambassador for Rocky Mountain Voice.
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.