A dramatic shift in Colorado's voter registration numbers

July 21, 10:36 AMDenver Republican ExaminerKevin Holst

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Over the past few years, the Democratic Party and their allied left-leaning groups (the “Left Coalition”) have successfully reshaped Colorado’s political landscape. Democrats now control Colorado’s General Assembly and Governor’s Office. In addition, they control the U.S. Congress and the Federal Executive Branch. Their organizations are influencing our nation and Colorado (e.g., ACORN, MoveOn.org, labor unions, ProgressNow and the Colorado Democracy Alliance). Building on their successes, the Left Coalition has already pledged $110 million nationally to expand their power in 2010.

The Left Coalition has banded together by pledging to support Democratic candidates regardless of individual issues. However, what has not been discussed in depth is that the Left Coalition has also spent considerable resources to dramatically alter Colorado’s voter registration numbers.

Democrats have regained power in Colorado over the past two elections cycles for a number of reasons. Foremost among these reasons is the Left Coalition’s savvy and strategic voter registration efforts that have considerably altered party affiliation registration numbers since 2004. The Left Coalition’s overall success is laudable and the results are undeniable.

Over the past 5 years, the Left Coalition has successfully increased Democratic voter registration in Colorado by more than 191,836. According to the Denver Post, as of April 2009, registered Democrats surpassed Republicans by nearly 2,314 for the first time since 1992. As of July 2009, registered Democrats exceed registered Republicans by 7,609. In sum, the Left Coalition turned an 185,644 voter registration disadvantage to a 7,609 voter registration advantage.

Yet, these gains were not the result of Republicans or Unaffiliateds changing parties. Specifically, in 2004, there were 1,049,607 Republicans and today there are 1,048,190. Unaffiliateds actually increased from 923,532 in 2004 to 1,063,724 today. Democrats achieved their results by targeting unregistered populations in key demographics and geographical areas.

In Colorado’s largest counties, Democrats have made significant gains since 2004. For example, in Arapahoe County, Republicans used to enjoy a 29,950 registration advantage. Today, Democrats have benefited from the Left Coalition’s focused efforts and now post a 7,895 registration advantage over Republicans.

In Larimer County, Republicans held a 26,031 registration advantage. This advantage has been cut nearly in half to a 13,426 registration advantage. Furthermore, Republicans have not been able to slow the tide in Jefferson County either. Republicans once enjoyed a 35,022 voter advantage in 2004, but Democrats have slashed this down to a 7,702 Republican advantage.

While Republicans have been losing ground in former strongholds like Arapahoe, Larimer and Jefferson Counties, Democrats have been sprinting away from Republicans in three traditionally Democratic counties. In Denver County, Democrats have increased their advantage from 77,512 in 2004 to 131,711 in 2009 (i.e., a 54,199 registration increase). And, in Boulder County, Democrats stretched their advantage from 19,927 in 2004 to 47,067 in 2009 (i.e., a 27,140 registration increase). Finally, in Adams County, Democrats have ramped up their 11,730 registration advantage to 26,157 today (i.e., a 14,787 registration increase).

Before passing judgment that these counties are lost causes for Republicans, Republicans should remember that a Republican vote in Boulder County counts same in a statewide election as a Republican vote elsewhere. Consequently, the Democrats’ gains of an additional 96,126 registrations in three of their strongholds will need to be offset by registering new voters or by the conversion of Unaffiliated or Democratic registrations. A good place to start is by targeting unregistered Republicans in Adams, Boulder and Denver counties as well other counties throughout Colorado.

On a positive note, there are large counties where Republicans continue to enjoy significant registration advantages. In Mesa County, Republicans grew their 16,280 registration advantage to 20,242 today (i.e., 3,962 voter registration increase). Even though El Paso County Republican’s advantage decreased by 8,191 from 2004 totals, Republicans continue to benefit from a 73,488 voter registration advantage. In Weld County, Republicans also lost some of their advantage (i.e., 803 registrations), but Republicans still hold a 16,676 voter registration advantage.

Republicans, Libertarians and conservatives throughout Colorado must acknowledge the importance of basic fundamentals such as voter registration and identification. Unless Republicans, Libertarians and conservatives begin to devote the resources (i.e., time and money) necessary to rebuild or establish the requisite grassroots infrastructure, the Left Coalition will keep making gains and dominating elections.

Over the past few years, the Left Coalition has dedicated the necessary resources to change the political landscape in Colorado. The results of their efforts are well documented. Notably, Democrats control the General Assembly, five of the seven U.S. Congressional seats in Colorado, both U.S. Senate seats, and the Governor’s Office. Plus, their successes have spilled over to local races.

If Republicans, Libertarians and conservatives want to change the liberal and Democratic control of our State’s elected offices, they must take a page from the Left Coalition’s playbook by banding together and setting aside individual causes in order to win elections. A good place to start is by coming together to dedicate the resources necessary to counteract the dramatic gains made by Democrats in voter registration. Democrats will continue to make gains unless decisive and immediate steps are taken in this fundamental area by Colorado’s Republicans, Libertarians and conservatives.

(This article originally appeared at www.alineofsight.com.)

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