Republican state legislators dominate as sponsors of the capitol’s new, “most accessed bills” list with three pieces of legislation written to push Democrats over the edge. The top “most accessed” bill, killed in the House chamber, took a direct shot at politicians who support sanctuary cities, meaning Democrats in Denver and Aurora.

Second is a Senate bill that turns a misdemeanor crime of tampering with oil and gas equipment into a class 6 felony. Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg from Sterling, the bill puts a stick in the eye of front range neighborhoods that don’t want industrial drilling 500 feet from their homes, schools and water sources. This bill is waiting for a second hearing in the state Senate.

The third bill, sponsored by Sen. Tim Neville from South Jefferson County and Rep. Kevin Van Winkle from Douglas County, allows any handgun owner to “conceal carry” except in public schools. It’s passed two Senate committees and is on its way to Appropriations.

The Republican’s hard-nosed bills have apparently caught more attention from the public than anything the Democrats have put up, except perhaps minority leader Sen. Lucia Guzman’s anti-death penalty legislation and Lakewood Sen. Andy Kerr’s intersection crossing bicycle bill, both put down in the Senate.

It is, however, difficult to understand the election strategy behind the GOP bills. Gun advocates are already in the GOP’s corner, and turning all of Colorado into concealed carry Texas, or even into Douglas County, will not expand the party’s imprint in the growing millennial population stirred up by the presidential election.

The fracking resistance along the northern Front Range is not just coming from hard core environmentalists and liberal Democrats. Anyone with a house near fracking pads may have a beef with drillers who are potentially reducing their homes’ property values. Lots of voters can relate to that problem.

The “Colorado Politician Accountability Act,” the anti sanctuary city bill, allows a “person” harmed by “illegal aliens,” as the legislation states, to sue officials responsible for creating sanctuary for up to $990,000. That’s a fistful of accountability that’s likely to put off minority communities and others who think current federal immigration policy needs a complete reset. The GOP’s U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, CO6, would certainly have a hard time defending such legislation in the 50 percent of his district that’s in Aurora.

Republicans face a more serious state election dilemma in 2018 than Democrats. First, the state voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election. Second, the House increased its majority in 2016. Third, the GOP clings to only a one-vote majority in the state Senate. Fourth, the GOP hasn’t won the governorship since Gov. Bill Owens in the early 2000s. Fifth, state registration tilts slightly Democratic now. Sixth, the Trump administration continues to stir the pot, keeping usually slow-to- vote mid election Democrats energized.

Based on election cycles, if Democrats take both legislative chambers and the governorship in 2018, they will likely have complete control of redistricting the U.S. Congressional districts and reapportioning state House and Senate districts in 2021. This possibility trends against other “fly over” states, but that’s how Colorado leans lately.

If Democrats stick close to the ground to come up with practical solutions to transportation and education funding, and resolve the condominium litigation problems, they’re likely to be in good position in 2018. They’ll have plenty of flashy, but not pragmatic, Republican-sponsored bills to run against.