Montezuma County Republicans held caucuses in 11 precincts across the county Saturday.
At precinct caucuses, political parties gather to nominate and elect delegates who attend the party’s general assembly and vote which candidates make the June 30 primary ballot. It is possible to petition onto the primary ballot as well.
The General Assembly for Republicans is at 6 p.m. March 20 at the Montezuma County Annex.
A maximum of 198 delegates are chosen to vote at the general assembly.
On Saturday, 18 delegates were named for the Precinct 11 caucus in Mancos, and 23 for Precinct 4 caucus in Cortez.
“The caucus is a grassroots way to get involved with your political party and is an opportunity to become a delegate,” said Precinct 11 co-chairman Gerald Koppenhafer. “As a delegate, you help decide which candidates make the primary ballot.”
The final delegate tally for all precincts will be reported next week.
Besides choosing delegates for the general assembly, caucuses also include politicking by candidates, and party resolutions can be made for consideration for a vote at the generally assembly.
In Mancos, a resolution was made to enact term limits for Congress so senators can only serve two six-year terms, and House of Representatives can only serve five two-year terms.
During discussion, party members said term limits help refresh Congress with new people and ideas. Also, incumbents are hard to vote out because they have the advantage.
Two-year terms for House members are too short, said one man, “because they can only work one year, then have to campaign the second year for re-election.”
At the Precinct 4 caucus at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, a resolution was made to oppose “red flag” laws enacted in Colorado this year as a form of gun control for people deemed mentally ill or unstable.
U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton of Cortez was in attendance. He flew in from Washington, D.C., to participate in the Republican caucus in his precinct.
“It is a good turnout and great to be home to see all the enthusiasm for the grassroots political process,” Tipton said.
Newcomers to the process were in attendance at Precinct 11 and became delegates for the first time.
“I’m a lifelong voter, but this is a first for me,” said Tammy Davison. “I wanted to have more of a voice. Now that I’m a delegate, I’m excited to participate in the general assembly.”
To date, six Republicans are running for the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners. Kent Lindsay, Allan Randolph and Danny Wilkin are running for District 2. Monty Guiles, Tim Hunter and Joel “Joe” Stevenson are running for District 3.
Assistant District Attorney Matt Margeson, a Republican, is the only candidate running for 22nd Judicial District Attorney.
Candidates can make the June 30 primary ballot through the caucus process or by petition.
There have been no Democrat or unaffiliated candidates announced for county commission. Therefore, the race could be decided at the June 30 Republican primary.
If a Democrat wants to participate in the June 30 Republican Primary, they have until June 1 to change their party affiliation with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Unaffiliated voters can vote in the Republican Primary.
jmimiaga @the-journal.com
