Republicans cannot afford to lose Colorado’s Congressional District 3 next year. Democratic candidate Adam Frisch – a former New York currency trader living in Aspen – should not represent the mostly rural, agricultural Western Slope wonderland of hippies, cowboys, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, artists and professionals.

To hold District 3, “grassroots” and “establishment” Republicans should unite behind Jeff Hurd in the Republican primary June 25. A Western Slope native and pragmatic conservative, Hurd might represent the only hope for Republicans to keep the seat.

Nominating Hurd, and keeping District 3, has national ramifications. The slim and divided 8-seat House Republican majority is the only thing resisting a left-wing juggernaut in the Washington swamp. Incumbent Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert has little chance of winning, even with her district’s 9-point Republican advantage and the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who polls as the district’s favorite for the White House in 2024.

Stay up to speed: Sign-up for daily opinion in your inbox Monday-Friday

Boebert has a seemingly intractable image problem, which has manifested in lackluster financial support. She appears divisive at a time when voters want peace.

Frisch, the likely Democratic nominee, almost defeated Boebert last year. Boebert won by 546 votes – the closest congressional race in the country. Boebert’s close call became a nationwide Democratic obsession with taking back District 3, leaving Colorado with only two Republicans among 10 members of Congress.

As Democrats pour money into the Frisch campaign, Republicans are not doing so for Boebert. The congresswoman knows she’s in trouble.

“We are getting absolutely crushed in fundraising (by Frisch),” Boebert wrote Monday in a fundraising email. “If things continue on this trajectory, I don’t see how we hold on to this seat in November.”

The trajectory is largely Boebert’s fault. She was in trouble with constituents when she and a date were ejected from a “Beetlejuice” performance in Denver in September for vaping and disrupting the show.

Western Slope voters value statesmanship, moderation, diplomacy and soft-spoken strength – none of which defines their member of the House. They perceive Boebert as seeking celebrity status, more than results, which they frown upon.

The Gazette’s editorial board recently met with Hurd, a husband and father practicing law in Grand Junction. His sharp intellect, humility and stately style establish a primary with two candidates solid on Republican principles with vastly different personality traits.

“If we want to govern as Republicans, we need to win elections as candidates with a message that is principled and persuasive but also pragmatic and appealing to voters who don’t agree with us 100% on the issues,” Hurd told us.

Politics in District 3 are changing as people migrate to resort towns from New York, California and a variety of coastal cities.

“I hope to give voters who don’t have ‘R’ after their name a compelling reason to vote Republican in this race and counteract those various influences that are moving into this district.”

We asked Hurd what he would do first, in terms of legislation, if elected to Congress. He went straight to energy policy – perhaps the biggest threat to the Western Slope economy as the left forces the Green New Deal and other policies that prohibit and discourage oil, gas and coal production.

“The bill would preserve our energy economy,” said Hurd, who has extensive experience in energy law.

“It would ensure that the regulations we have in place are sensible and allow for the appropriate balance between regulatory certainty and energy development on the Western Slope.”

From there, Hurd addressed water and agricultural challenges with remarkable knowledge of the subjects. He assured us where he stands on the war between Israel and Hamas.

“I’m fully supportive of giving Israel as much assistance as it needs,” Hurd said.

He sees the economy as the greatest challenge facing District 3 and has plans to improve it.

“One of our greatest exports from western and southern Colorado is our kids,” Hurd said. “They grow up and leave and don’t come back because there aren’t enough economic opportunities for them. I grew up here, I left, and I did come back.

“But a lot of my peers left and would like to come back but there aren’t enough economic opportunities. Rural Colorado is at risk of being left behind. We need to bridge that urban-rural gap and be an advocate – not just a loud advocate but a smart advocate – for rural Colorado.”

Republicans, save District 3 and nominate Hurd, a candidate who can defeat Frisch and deliver solid results.

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board