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Which 4 Colorado Dems are facing recall attempts?

By 08/21/2019 | updated 7 years ago

A recall petition approved Monday brings the total of active recalls against Colorado Democrats to four.

Targeted Dems primarily face recall over support of bills regarding state oil and gas production, the national popular vote, sexual education in schools, and firearm possession.

CLICK THROUGH THE PHOTOS ABOVE to learn more about each recall effort.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis landed in the hot seat after he supported and signed SB 19-181, according to the recall statement for Polis on the secretary of state website.Additionally, the statement cited Polis’ support and approval of SB 19-042, which added Colorado to the list of states choosing to elect the United States president by national popular vote; HB 19-1032, which funded comprehensive human sexuality education for schools; and HB 19-1177, which allowed petitions for temporary extreme risk protection prohibiting an individual from possessing a firearm.In an email appeal to potential donors to fight a recall of the Democratic governor last month, Polis stated, “They couldn’t win at the polls last year, so they want a do-over – taking advantage of our state law in an attempt to undo the will of the voters.”The petition was approved by the secretary of state on July 8, and the deadline for signatures is Sept 6. The number of signatures required is 631,266.
Joey Bunch / Colorado Politics
The recall against state Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, was primarily triggered by his yes vote on SB 19-181.”Because of his recklessness as Senate president, and his failure to represent the values and opinions of the citizens of the 3rd Senate District of the state of Colorado, we demand a recall election for Sen. Leroy Garcia as the only reasonable and available means to defend the interest and values of the people of his district,” the recall statement says.Garcia told Colorado Politics earlier this month that he has “a lot of support from Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. I don’t think there’s an appetite for taxpayers to pay up to $275,000 for a special election.”The petition was approved by the secretary of state on Aug. 19 and the deadline for signatures is Oct. 18. The number of signatures required is 13,506.
(Marianne Goodland / Colorado Politics)
State Sen. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, was also selected for recall for supporting SB 19-042, SB 19-181, HB 19-1032 and HB 19-1177, and additionally for sponsoring legislation to create a paid family and medical leave program to be funded by a business tax.The recall statement contends that Lee was “disingenuously referring to the bill as a “fee” instead of a “tax.””I am disappointed that radical activists have decided to disrespect the voters of Senate District 11 and undermine the electoral process,” he told Colorado Politics last month. “I was elected eight months ago by 60% of the voters. To overturn the will of the people because of a disagreement on a couple of votes is inconsistent with our democratic process.”The petition was approved by the secretary of state on July 12, and the deadline for signatures is Sept. 10. The number of signature required is 11,304.
Joey Bunch / Colorado Politics (file)
Colorado State Sen. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, was similarly targeted for recall after she voted for the passage of SB 19-042, SB 19-181, HB 19-1032 and HB 19-1177, and also for supporting what the recall statement called “taxpayer-funded heroin injection sites.” This refers to the proposal for sites that allow drug use under medical supervision without fear of arrest.Pettersen did not return Colorado Politics’ request for comment in June.The petition was approved by the secretary of state on July 18, and the deadline for signatures is Sept. 16. The number of signatures required is 18,376.
David Zalubowski
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Caitlin Curley, Colorado Politics

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Why those Polis recall petitions might not be turned in to the state (VIDEO)

The group trying to recall Democratic Governor Jared Polis could choose not to turn in the signatures they’ve gathered. And that might be a smart strategy. The poorly-funded effort to recall Polis is declining to say whether organizers are even approaching the 631,266 signatures needed as they approach a September 6th deadline. No petition signature-gathering effort in […]

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