Bipartisan efforts to revive presidential primaries in Colorado have failed — for now. A long debate over presidential primaries in Colorado ended in failure Tuesday at the state Legislature. Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature could not agree on how to revive a statewide primary instead of precinct caucuses in 2020. With a deadline looming Tuesday, talks broke down on two separate plans to bring back primaries. The legislative stalemate means that Coloradans could see a ballot measure this fall asking about bringing back the primaries, at a cost of about $5 million. Colorado held presidential primaries from 1992 to 2000. But the state switched back to caucuses in 2004 to save money. Political parties pay the tab for caucuses, though taxpayers would be responsible for running an election.
The move to revive primaries came after this year’s March 1 caucus, where both parties were plagued by complaints. Democrats struggled with long lines, and Republicans were miffed because the state GOP abandoned a presidential straw poll entirely.
“People were disenfranchised of their right to vote on a presidential candidate,” said Sen. Matt Jones, D-Louisville.
In Fort Collins, a fire marshal limited access to caucus locations due to overcrowding at Lincoln Middle School. That led Sen. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins, to tweet that he was preparing “to vote under stars.”
Full Article: Presidential primary revival falls apart in Colorado.