Coloradans might be shocked to discover that an organized socialist group has made serious in-roads in Colorado politics.
You might think I’m exaggerating, but the truth is worse than you suspect.
You may have seen the radical legislation being introduced this year in the State Legislature, but you may not know the power and organization this movement has behind them.
The reality is this organized socialist group is well-funded and their candidates are winning.
Three of their members are currently serving in the Colorado State Legislature.
They have endorsed seven candidates for the Denver City Council in 2023.
This group is called the Denver Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
According to ActionNetwork.org, the Denver DSA is described as follows:
DSA Denver is a chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the largest socialist organization in the USA. Our members are building progressive movements for social change in Denver while establishing an openly democratic socialist presence in the Mile High City.
Democratic Socialists believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically—to meet public needs, not to make profits for a few.
Democratic Socialists of America, (DSA) is explicitly anti-capitalist, and parrots communist talking points.
DSA has 204 chapters across the country, with 4 in Colorado.
On their website DSA brags that “at 24,000 members in July 2017 is the largest socialist organization in the United States since the Communist Party before its implosion in 1956 after the Khrushchev revelations about Stalin.”
They claim to currently have “over 92,000 members and chapters in all 50 states.”
The DSA’s Blog “Democratic Left,” features articles about the Communist Manifesto, Election Campaign Organizing, and how comrades can be better public speakers.
As you will see, this group has a radical communist agenda against free markets, and property ownership.
But first, let’s look at the inroads this socialist group has made in Colorado politics.
Socialists in the State Legislature
The Denver DSA proudly proclaimed in December of 2022, “Come join Denver’s largest socialist organization for a Town Hall with newly elected state representatives (and DSA members) Elisabeth Epps & Javier Mabrey.“
Three Freshmen State Representatives, Elisabeth Epps, Javier Mabrey, and Lorena Garcia are DSA-supported socialists who are serving in the Colorado State Legislature.
For moderate Coloradans, it might be shocking that Colorado Democrats have moved so far left, they are actually electing socialists!
Let’s take a closer look at these Socialist Colorado Legislators.
Elisabeth Epps
Elisabeth Epps was elected to represent State House District 6 (HD6) in 2022.
House District 6 is inside Denver, and Epps won with 85.81% of the vote.
In 2018, Epps founded Colorado Freedom Fund, which pays cash bail for individuals who can’t afford it, and work towards ending cash bail and pre-trial jail time.
Speaking in support of SB21-062 (which would have reduced Colorado’s jail populations), Epps procliamed, “To hear so many white and white-presenting folks talk about what is best for racial justice is disgusting.”
In 2018, Epps gained media coverage for helping to raise $20,000 to bail women out in time for Mother’s Day.
Epps was also a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Denver Police for their use of force during the 2020 George Floyd protests.
According to Denverite, Epps received $1.25 million from the lawsuit.
During the 2022 Primary Election, HD6 saw over $400,00 worth of outside spending, with over 2/3 being spent against Epps’ opponent Katie March.
One month into the Legislature, Epps has sponsored socialist schemes:
HB23-1202 would allow local municipal “supervised drug injection sites,” in Colorado.
HB23-1118 would regulate employee schedules, and require additional pay for employees if the employee’s schedule is changed (predictability pay), if their work shifts are too close together (rest shortfall pay), if a newer employee gets hours instead of an employee who has been their longer (retention pay), and guarantees a minimum pay (minimum weekly pay).
HB23-1115 would allow municipalities to establish rent control schemes that would legally prevent property owners from charging “too much.”
HB23-1165 would allow counties to ban gun ranges on private property.
Epps is listed as cosponsoring on a variety of other legislation.
Epps was also listed as a sponsor of the gun ban draft that was leaked to Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.
During the 2022 election, Epps’ campaign raised and spent over $224,000.
Javier Mabrey
Javier Mabrey was elected to represent State House District 1 in 2022.
House District 1 is mostly in Denver, but also part of Jefferson County.
Mabrey won with 64.8% of the vote.
Mabrey says he was inspired by Barack Obama and worked on his re-election campaign.
His campaign website states, “in 2019, Javier started an eviction defense non-profit legal aid group that represents tenants in Denver and advocates for affordable housing and tenants’ rights at the Colorado State Capitol.”
Not too surprising, Marbrey also wants to abolish TABOR, eliminate cash bail, create state-run healthcare, institute free college, allow non-citizens to vote, and push a green economy.
In the State Legislature, just like Epps, Mabrey has co-sponsored HB23-1202 Legal Injection Sites, HB23-1165 Private Property Gun Range Ban, and HB23-1118 Employee Pay & Hours Regulation.
Mabrey has also co-sponsored HB23-1100 Restricting Gov’t participation in immigration detention.
Mabrey is the leading advocate for rent control in the State Legislature. He has so far sponsored HB23-1171 and HB23-1115.
These bills are a direct attack on the ability of a property owner to rent their property.
Mabrey has also advocated raising property taxes:
During the 2022 election, Mabrey’s campaign raised over $90,000 and spent $76,000 of it.
Lorena Garcia
Lorena Garcia was appointed to House District 35 through a Vacancy Committee when Adrienne Benavidez resigned prior to the 2023 Legislative Session.
According to Hannah Metzger at coloradopolitics.com: Garcia currently serves as CEO of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition and previously worked as a director of several nonprofit organizations, including Namlo International, 9to5, Colorado Youth Matter and the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.
Garcia also unsuccessfully ran for US Senate in 2020 (she failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot).
In a 2019 5280 Interview, Garcia said her “top policies are rooted in economic justice.”
Her 2020 campaign website says she wants to “require licensure and education on handling guns,” and institute an “assault weapons ban.”
Additionally, she wants political campaigns to be “public-funded,” wants to “eliminate the electoral college,” wants “100% renewable energy by 2030,” “Pass the Green New Deal,” and “Implement a Value Added Tax.”
Garcia also listed some policy goals in a 2022 tweet:
Garcia was also an advocate for State-Covid policies:
Garcia was a speaker on a panel for the Colorado Springs DSA for their “Socialist Electoral Strategy Panel” in 2021.
Garcia is a Prime Sponsor of HB23-1100 to restrict Colorado’s involvement in immigration detention.
Denver City Council Candidates
Denver DSA has seven endorsed candidates for the 2023 City Council race.
Micaela Iron Shell Dominguez, Tiffany Caudill, Tony Pigford, Shontel Lewis, Candi CdeBaca, Shannon Hoffman, and Sarah Parady.
The Denver DSA Agenda
On their website, the Denver DSA lists their demands, here are some of them:
A new political order through a second constitutional convention to write the founding documents of a new socialist democracy
Abolish the Senate and the Electoral College
Defund the police by rejecting any expansion to police budgets or scope of enforcement while cutting budgets annually towards zero
End all fines and fees associated with the criminal legal process, including ticketing, cash bail, court costs, and parole and probation fees
Pass reparations legislation
Social ownership and democratic control of utilities and key industries including water, gas, electric, telecommunications, media, and internet service providers and other critical sectors of the economy through direct government support, public banks, and pension funds at every level of government
Nationalize and socialize (through worker and community ownership and control) institutions of monetary policy, insurance, real estate, and finance
Taxation: Reduce and eliminate regressive sales and excise taxes that punish the working class; increase tax rates on upper income earners, institute wealth taxes, increase estate taxes, and tax financial transactions, capital gains, luxury purchases, and domestic and global corporations
Allow trans minors to access gender affirming care without parental consent
Guarantee publicly available water, energy, transit, food, and other necessities for all, free of charge.
A Single Health Program: Everyone will be covered by one health insurance program, administered by the federal government, providing equitable medical services and treatments
Public housing for all
Pass a universal tenants’ bill of rights that includes right to renew your lease, universal rent control, right to organize a tenants’ union in your home, and a universal right to free counsel in housing court
Other issues on their website that are part of their agenda are “Abolition of White Supremacy,” “Gender and Sexuality Justice,” “The Green New Deal.”
They want to nationalize the railroads and other infrastructure:
They claim that “an organized, militant working class is the only force capable of winning these fights.”
The Denver DSA advocates for a “militant, left-wing, and democratic” labor movement on their Welcome to the Labor Committee Google Doc Page:
The Denver DSA has started publishing a Zine (independent magazine) that has a page showing burning police cars and the words ACAB (All Cops are Bastards):
Taking a look at one of their staff members reveals a connection to New Era Colorado, which I will discuss in a future article.
Hayley Becker is a leader in the DSA, recently accepting a position as a Field Organizer:
Becker celebrated that Colorado now has “3 socialists in the State House of Representatives.”
Becker was the Field Manager for Lorena Garcia’s 2020 US Senate Campaign.
Conclusion
There is a national organized group of socialists who are winning elections and pushing radical policies.
These policies include Gun Bans, Rent Control, and Employer Wage Controls.
This is only the beginning of their plans.
The Democratic Socialists of Denver want to radically transform our state and our country.
Their agenda would create an authoritarian government that would control nearly every aspect of our lives.
These radicals are also connected to other entrenched Colorado Political Establishment organizations.
Powerful organizations with connections to national groups and high-level politicians are gaining ground in Colorado politics.
Leaders in the Democratic Party of Colorado must hold their elected officials in check, and do what they can to stop such radical policies.
Independents and Libertarians must come to the table to help stop DSA candidates from winning.
Voters must pay attention to the policies these candidates are proposing.
And Politically Aware Commentators must put attention and report on these groups.
Anyone who values Liberty must work to oppose these candidates for office and advocate against their communist agenda.
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