‘We want to restore the name and go back to good governance’: Push to remove Colorado GOP chair moves forward

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - The campaign to remove the Colorado Republican Party state chair is moving forward.

On Wednesday, state central committee member and El Paso County vice-chair Todd Watkins sent the following letter to current state party chair Dave Williams.

Watkins told 11 News there are several reasons behind the push to oust Williams, including a number of alleged ethic violations as well as recent Pride Month rhetoric.

An email, sent out on June 3 and signed by Williams, was headed with an image titled, “God Hates Flags” and contained phrases like “godless groomers” and “God hates Pride.” That was accompanied by post on X from the account of the Colorado Republican Party that calls for the burning of all Pride flags.

“I think the good name of the party was damaged, and so much that the vast majority of the members now think that, ‘Yeah, this really harmed the appearance of the party,”’ Watkins said. “We look petty, we look divisive, and actually we kind of look a little bit extremist.

Watkins said he believes the desire for a change in leadership is reflected in Tuesday’s election results. Williams lost the U.S. House District 5 Republican primary to Jeff Crank, 56,437 votes to 30,101.

“The CO GOP Leadership, their version of the party, took a shellacking last night and I think that’s a referendum on their course, their plan,” Watkins said.

Colorado GOP vice-chairwoman Hope Sheppelman told 11 News a special meeting has been called for August 31.

“The signatures will first need to be verified and adjudicated with the State Executive Committee before their request will be added to the special meeting agenda,” she said in a statement.

Watkins said 60% of the 400-plus members of the state central committee would need to vote to remove Williams, but he said he’s confident the votes are there.

“If we didn’t think we had that, we wouldn’t do it,” he said.

11 News reached out to Williams multiple times for comment. We have not yet received a response.