State Sen. Kevin Priola of Adams County didn鈥檛 mince words in his announcing he was leaving the Colorado Republican party to join with Democrats who control the statehouse.
鈥淐oloradans cannot afford for their leaders to give credence to election conspiracies or climate change denialism,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淪imply put, we need Democrats in charge because our planet and our Democracy depend on it.鈥�
— Kevin Priola 馃嚭馃嚫 XLVIII (@KevinPriola)
Priola blasted his Republican colleagues for what he called their indifference toward the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
He also said Republicans had shifted from belonging to a party known for creating National Parks to one that is choosing to deny humans are behind climate change.
Priola, widely considered one of the most moderate lawmakers in the Capitol, has often been the lone GOP vote on some of the Democrats鈥� biggest priorities in recent years.
He stood beside Gov. Jared Polis to support a multi-billion dollar plan to charge Coloradans more on gas, car shares and food deliveries to help pay for road work.
But he said in his letter he won鈥檛 see eye-to-eye with Democrats on every issue.
For example, he was one of the biggest critics of the party鈥檚 decision to pass a new law aiming to guarantee the right to an abortion in the state.
In the short term, his departure from the Republican party will make it harder for the GOP to regain control of the state Senate, where Democrats now hold a seven-vote advantage heading into the November elections.
Democrats, including Senate President Steve Fenberg of Boulder, are cheering the news.
鈥淭oday, Senator Kevin Priola chose his constituents and Colorado鈥檚 future over partisan politics,鈥� Fenberg . 鈥淪enator Priola has made it clear that the people of Colorado deserve leaders who will boldly take action against the most serious threats facing our country today. Instead of bowing to the pressure of corporate, special interests and right-wing conspiracies, we must continue to take aggressive action to protect the democracy of our nation and combat the climate crisis facing our planet.鈥�
Today, Senator Kevin Priola chose his constituents and Colorado's future over conspiracy theories and lies. Looking forward to continuing our work together, !
— Steve Fenberg (@SteveFenberg)
Republicans are suggesting Priola should no longer represent his district just north of Denver.
鈥淭his event will not change the trajectory of this election cycle, nor the outcome of this year's fight for the state senate,鈥� Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley, 鈥淎s for Senator Priola, his new district will likely not be happy with this announcement and may explore their options for new representation.鈥�
Michael Fields, a conservative who has organized several ballot initiatives in recent years, is calling for a recall attempt against Priola.
Priola is not up for reelection until 2024.
