Colorado GOP Faces Uphill Battle to Regain Relevance

Once a competitive swing state, Colorado has trended increasingly blue over the past decade.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A cinematic painting depicting a lone Republican elephant statue in a dimly lit, deserted state capitol building, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a melancholy, nostalgic mood that reflects the party's struggles.The Colorado GOP faces an uphill battle to regain its former strength and relevance in a rapidly changing political landscape.Denver Today

In a scathing opinion piece, Denver Post columnist Krista Kafer examines the challenges facing the Colorado Republican Party as it struggles to recover from a decade of declining voter registration and electoral losses at the state level. Kafer attributes the party's struggles to two key factors: the 'Big Sort' population shift that has seen more Democrats move to Colorado, and what she calls 'party insularity syndrome' - a phenomenon where the state GOP has become increasingly insular and out-of-touch.

Why it matters

Colorado was once a competitive swing state, with Republicans holding statewide offices and a majority in the state legislature. However, the state has trended increasingly blue over the past 10 years, with Democrats now controlling all statewide elected offices and large majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. The declining fortunes of the Colorado GOP have national implications, as the party seeks to regain its footing in a key battleground state.

The details

According to Kafer's analysis, the Colorado Republican Party's struggles can be traced to two key factors. First, the 'Big Sort' population shift has seen more Democrats move to Colorado, while Republicans have left the state, making it an increasingly blue state. Second, the state GOP has become increasingly insular and out-of-touch, with election deniers and fringe candidates gaining prominence within the party. This has alienated more moderate Republicans and contributed to a decline in voter registration.

  • In 2016, Colorado delegates to the Republican National Convention were pledged to Ted Cruz, not Donald Trump.
  • Over the past decade, Democrats have gained control of all statewide elected offices in Colorado and large majorities in the state legislature.

The players

Krista Kafer

A Sunday columnist for the Denver Post who previously served as an alternate delegate at the Colorado Republican State Assembly.

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What they’re saying

“Like a lake cut off from fresh water, the Colorado Republican Party has grown increasingly stagnant.”

— Krista Kafer, Denver Post Columnist

“There are still some solid Republicans lawmakers and candidates, but because they fail the MAGA test of purity, they do not receive the support they deserve.”

— Krista Kafer, Denver Post Columnist

What’s next

Kafer suggests that for the Colorado GOP to regain relevance, the party will need to find a way to address its 'party insularity syndrome' and appeal to a broader range of voters, including more moderate Republicans and unaffiliated voters.

The takeaway

The Colorado Republican Party's struggles highlight the broader challenges facing the GOP in key battleground states, as demographic shifts and the party's rightward drift have alienated many voters. Rebuilding the party's competitiveness in Colorado will require a concerted effort to broaden its appeal and reconnect with a changing electorate.