Tag: Laura Bradford

And you thought the election was over? Colorado lawmakers are meeting today to pick new leaders charged with keeping the Capitol running smoothly, and, with Democrat Bernie Buescher unexpectedly out of the picture, a couple of surprises are in store for the donkeys. Over on the Republican side, a reported coup may be in the works.

While most of the rest of Colorado was riding a blue wave of Democratic dominance Tuesday, Mesa County returned to its ruby-red roots, backing a 100-percent GOP slate of candidates in a Western Slope conservative stronghold where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1.

For Colorado residents living on the Western Slope, being an outdoors enthusiast is not something they do on the weekends, it's a way of life. Mesa County, home to 120,000 people in 15 communities including Grand Junction, is home to hunters, fisherman and general nature lovers who see the environment as a part of their identity and their culture. It's no surprise the oil and natural gas boom that has enveloped the county in recent years is coming with mixed reviews and subtle shifts in the political climate.

State Republicans so far seem to be conceding the House District 55 race, in which virtually no money is being spent by the GOP or independent conservative groups to unseat incumbent Democratic Rep. Bernie Buescher, according to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.