Power Play on the Colorado Caucus?

Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams said today he will join lawmakers at 2 p.m. on the west steps of the Capitol Thursday (4/21) to announce legislation creating a presidential primary, which some predict will kill our Colorado Caucus just as it did in a previous short trial here.

Why was this years edition of the Colorado Caucus such a disaster?

Poor leadership from the top down.

The State Chairmen of both major political parties announced BEFORE this years Colorado Caucus they would jointly move towards such a plan to kill the system that had been entrusted to them. 

The chaos of March 1 resulted.

Our Colorado Caucus, the best chance for the common person to serve in elected public office, has been under attack by powerful forces ever since it was created by Gov. Shafroth and the legislature in a special session in August of 1910.

Why not allow time for consideration of this important chance this summer before introducing legislation? What is the rush?

Colorado underestimates cost of a Presidential Primary.

Some are saying the special election could cost as "little" as $4.7 million, money that could be much better spent in other ways.

And many thing that is underestimating the cost considerably.

Here's what's being said about Washington State's Presidential Primary: "The state budget enacted this month included $11.5 million to pay for the primary, which had been canceled in 2012 due to cost concerns."

For more see our Facebook Page (click here) for the complete newspaper article.

Announcement at 8:10 a.m. on KOA Radio

Denver's KOA radio just called me. They say I'll be put on the air at 8:10 a.m. this morning. If so, I'll announce what is happening today at 8:30 a.m. with Save the Caucus.

As we have previously announced, this has all been a labor of love of mine for the past few weeks, no money in our out of Save the Caucus, only my personal efforts.

But if all legislation and initiatives concerning the Colorado Caucus are withdrawn by the end of the day, we will begin raising money, finding and office, and hiring professional staff to Save the Caucus and to then make the Colorado Caucus one of our most important Made in Colorado exports, doing training in Colorado and across the country.

If we are on a link to the recording will be posted later today.

Message to Media, Friends of Colorado Caucus

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

To: Selected Media and Friends of the Colorado Caucus.

(This will also be posted on http://www.COCaucus.org)

There is a title board hearing tomorrow morning on new initiatives

concerning a Presidential Primary.

This is scheduled to take place while the Supreme Court is considering

proposals that have already been made.

Clearly for the sake of clarity, those pushing for these 5 different measures,

along with others that may be offered directly to voters or to the legislature

should first be encouraged to get together, perhaps in an interim session.

Save the Caucus will be asking for this at tomorrow morning's hearing.

Diane Cox from the western slope of Colorado just called me and

then sent out this email to here email list of long time friends of

her's and of the Colorado Caucus.

There is great concern on the part of people who have participated

in our wonderful grassroots system for nominating to the primary

ballot, the best chance the person with limited means has of ever

serving in elected public office is going to once again be wounded,

perhaps this time fatally, with another attempt at the Presidential Primary,

something we've tried and rejected here in Colorado.

I hope you give fair and balanced coverage of this important issue. Those

who are wanting to go from grassroots to astroturf are well funded, they

are easily covered, but people like Diane, those quiet people who have

done the work of being a citizen for decades get drowned out.

I thought you'd appreciate reading what she just sent to me and to

her email list. I've copied her, you could contact her directly via email

if you want more. If you want more from me my cell is (720)495-4949 

John

John S. Wren, Registered Agent

Save the Caucus, a Colorado political committee.John@JohnWren.com
(303)861-1447

-----Original Message-----
From: Diane Cox
Sent: Tue, Apr 19, 2016 2:24 pm
Subject: The Caucus Gives Grassroots Voice in Leadership

Colorado voters passed a bill in 2002 to give citizens a voice in selecting candidates and platforms for elections. Now the Colorado State legislators are considering a bill to eliminate that caucus system and go to a primary system.
The caucus process allows for grassroots participation for candidates and issues to be heard.
The primary system requires more up front money to get the word out and lends itself more to special interest groups dominating our leadership choices.  It focuses power in the hands of a few party leaders.
If you prefer retaining a last bastion for grassroots participation, please let your state representatives and state senator know and consider forwarding this email to other Colorado friends.
This bill will have far reaching effects on our choices. Thank you for your help.
Google Colorado general assembly or leg.state.co.us for contact information

Good analysis of Caucus vs Primary from Ari Armstrong.

My latest thinking on a caucus vs. primary, the troubles with an "open" primary and gov't collusion with parties: pic.twitter.com/ybhf7drg7G

— Ari Armstrong (@ariarmstrong) April 18, 2016

Help us Save the Caucus!

Join us Saturday for 1st 2016 steering committee meeting of Save the Caucus.

No ticket required, of course, please invite your friends who you think would like to help us Save the Caucus. Helpful if you will RSVP by calling John Wren (303)861-1447 or via our Facebook group, link on http://Facebook.com/Colorado.Caucus.News 

See ad in Colorado Statesman: