Republican Form Of Government
Bottom Line Up Front: We will preserve and strengthen Colorado’s republican form of government by ensuring the people’s elected representatives are in charge and are answerable to the people. No more governance by executive fiat or unaccountable commission. Through civics education, we’ll also teach why a republic is the guarantor of our freedom – disabusing the notion that “democracy” simply means 50% + 1 can do anything. Instead, we uphold Madisonian democracy: tempered by law and representation. Our administration will be one that respects process as much as outcome, knowing that how we govern – in a republican manner – is key to lasting liberty.
a. Biblical & Historical Foundations: The United States – and Colorado by extension – was founded as a Republican Form of Government, meaning we elect representatives who make laws on our behalf, as opposed to a pure direct democracy or an autocracy. The roots of this can be seen in Scripture: in Exodus 18, Moses established a system of rulers over groups of people, introducing representation. Deuteronomy 1:13 records Moses telling the people, “Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men...and I will make them heads over you.” This is essentially representative government – the people choose leaders from among themselves. The Founders admired the Roman Republic and mixed government idea but uniquely grounded it in the consent of the governed under a written Constitution. Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly guarantees every state a Republican Form of Government. They feared both the mob (unchecked majority) and the king (tyranny), so they built a republic with checks and balances. We stand firmly that this structure must be preserved and respected.
b. Constitutional Justification: Republicanism in practice means: regular free elections, the rule of law, separation of powers, and no titles of nobility or hereditary offices. It also means majority rule with protection of minority rights (through constitutions). Our state government is constitutionally organized as a republic – legislature passes laws, executive carries them out, judiciary interprets. We commit to bolstering this system. For example, legislation should be made by elected lawmakers, not decreed by bureaucrats. We will seek sunset provisions on extensive regulations unless affirmed by the legislature, bringing lawmaking back to accountable officials. The Electoral College and Senate (federal) are republican mechanisms to balance popular will with state interests – we support them against efforts to subvert them (e.g., Colorado’s participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which we believe undermines the constitutional republican election of the President by effectively nullifying our state’s distinct choice). We favor returning to true federalism: allowing Colorado’s republican government to handle local matters rather than centralizing power in D.C.
c. Colorado Policy Conflicts:
1. National Popular Vote (NPV) Compact: In 2019, Colorado joined an interstate compact to award our presidential electors to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of Colorado’s own vote. This was later affirmed by voters in 2020 (Prop 113). We view this as well-intentioned but misguided. The Electoral College is a key part of our republican federal system – it ensures less populous states like Colorado still have a voice and forces candidates to build broad coalitions. The NPV effectively moves us toward direct democracy for presidential elections, diminishing Colorado’s influence in favor of big states’ urban centers. It also raises constitutional questions if it ever takes effect. We would work to withdraw Colorado from this compact, restoring the Framers’ design of a republic of states choosing the President.
2. Direct Democracy vs. Representative Democracy: Colorado has strong direct democracy elements (initiatives, referenda, recalls). We support these as tools for the people to correct an unresponsive government. However, we also recognize that a pure direct ballot rule on complex matters can sometimes lead to policy instability or tyranny of the majority without deliberation. A recent example: Proposition 112 in 2018 (defeated) would have mandated extreme drilling setbacks, effectively crippling our energy sector by a single vote. We’re glad voters rejected it, but it underscores that complex regulatory questions might be better handled through a republican process (with expert input and amendment) rather than binary ballot measures. Our approach is to respect direct votes but also encourage that constitutional issues or very technical policies be addressed via our representative institutions where possible. We will honor voter initiatives but also use the legislature to fine-tune implementation for the public good, within the bounds of what voters authorized.
3. Local Governance: A republican form should apply at all levels – decisions made by those directly accountable to the affected people. We support local control in many issues (education, policing, zoning) with state oversight only as needed to guarantee rights and minimum standards. For instance, schooling is best governed by locally elected school boards (with parental input) rather than one-size state mandates. This ensures government remains close to the people. When state intervention is necessary (e.g., to ensure equal rights statewide), we will make sure it’s done through statutes passed by the legislature, not by unelected boards imposing statewide edicts.