Colorado Republicans call on party chair to resign after “hateful” Pride remarks

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - The push to oust the Colorado Republican Party chair following his comments on Pride Month is exposing divides within the GOP.

An email went out on Monday from party chair Dave Williams declaring, “God Hates Flags”, “God Hates Pride”, among other rhetoric demonizing the LGBTQ+ community. A post on X, formerly known as Twitter, calls for the burning of all Pride flags.

Jefferson County Republican Party chair Nancy Pallozzi sent out a letter Friday, calling on Williams to resign as state party chair immediately.

Pallozzi said Williams’ comments do not reflect the attitude of the larger Colorado Republican party.

“That’s not who Republicans are,” she said. “We are caring individuals and the last one kind of took us to a point where we needed to stand up as the other leadership within the state to take charge and say enough is enough.”

Pallozzi also accused Williams of creating division in the party instead of promoting unity.

“There’s been much division for some time here and we feel it’s time here to unite the party and the chair needs to be that person,” she said. “Their main purpose is to get Republicans elected and we’re not seeing that right now in the state party.”

11 News reached out to Williams for comment and got the following response:

Jeff Crank, William’s primary opponent in the U.S. House District 5 race, also called on Williams to resign as party chair.

The push is also causing divisions at the local party level. El Paso County GOP chair Vicki Tonkins sent 11 News the following statement concerning the push to remove Williams:

However, the El Paso County GOP vice-chair told 11 News that Tonkins does not speak for other party officers.