12 hours Ago By Brita Horn
This past Saturday, Colorado Republicans held their biennial reorganization meeting where our party decided to go in a new direction and selected me as their next chair. This new direction for the party is larger than just leadership at the top, it is a return to the big tent Republican Party Colorado has known in the past.Our party had turned to labeling anyone who does not meet the standards as RINO’s or Republican In Name Only.
While we believe in the First Amendment and cannot control the actions of every Republican in Colorado, the state party will no longer be facilitating and promoting such behavior. As a party through our social media platforms, we will turn our efforts toward what the party is supposed to be doing: supporting Republicans. We plan to abide by Reagan’s 11th Commandment, “Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.
”Our party turned to ugly so-called purity and litmus tests and has driven away many voters over these tactics. As the late Republican President Ronald Reagan once stated, “The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and ally, not a 20% traitor.” It is time the Colorado Republican Party fully embraces that spirit once again.
As I told this very paper, “We’re just opening up the tent, bringing out the welcome wagon, rolling out the mat and saying ‘You’re all welcome.’”Our party has also strayed from many long-standing norms, including our tradition of pre-primary neutrality. The endorsement of candidates, from president down to county commissioner, alienated voters who rejected the notion of being told whom they should support.
The results spoke for themselves — 14 of the 18 endorsed candidates lost. This practice never should have been implemented, and under my leadership, we will return to our traditional approach of letting Republican voters decide their nominees without interference from the state party.Open, competitive primaries produce stronger candidates who can win in general elections.
Our role is not to anoint winners — it is to help all Republicans succeed against Democrats in November.Our welcome mat is not just for disenfranchised former Republicans — it is also for those who have never affiliated with us before. Our doors are open to Democrats, unaffiliated voters, and those affiliated with minor parties who share our values.
In fact, the current Republican President of the United States, Donald Trump, himself along with Vice President J.D. Vance and many of the leaders within their administration, were once members of the opposite party.
We recognize that many unaffiliated voters in Colorado lean conservative, even if they do not formally register as Republicans. If we want to win in 2026 and beyond, we need to actively engage these voters and show them that they have a home in the Republican Party. That means articulating a clear vision for Colorado — one that prioritizes economic prosperity, public safety, and parental rights in education.
During my campaign for chair, this message resonated with many non-traditional Republicans. I was proud to receive endorsements from leaders within conservative youth organizations, Log Cabin Republicans, and the Hispanic community. These groups have long been ignored, downplayed, or forgotten by the Republican Party.
That must change. The Republican Party must represent all Coloradans who believe in individual liberty, economic opportunity, and limited government.Related ArticlesLetters: As a leader for “family values” surely Johnson supports proxy voting?Colorado Republicans elect new leader with an eye toward uniting a party upended by infightingAfter stint as ambassador to Mexico, will Ken Salazar consider presidential run?Seeking a “Plan B” under President Trump, some Coloradans make plans to move to other countriesLetters: Too late for development next to Belmar Park to change the plansThere are countless voters across Colorado who share our conservative values, but if we do not engage with them, they will only hear one side of the political debate.
We welcome them into our big tent and are committed to ensuring that the Republican Party reaches out to these communities. We cannot sit idly by, waiting for these voters to realize they align with our party. It is our responsibility to actively spread conservative values and show them why the Republican Party is their home.
If you have ever felt like politics has left you behind or that no party truly represents you, I invite you to join us. Whether you are a lifelong Republican, a former member, or someone who has never considered our party before, there is a place for you under this big tent. Together, we can build a stronger, more united Republican Party — one that listens, includes, and wins.
The future starts now.Brita Horn is the Chair of the Republican Party of Colorado.Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
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