I have been a lifelong Denver Broncos fan and a proud member of the Colorado Republican Party. As you can imagine, I have had to learn to live with some level of both depression and disappointment in recent years. My political involvement has afforded me opportunities of a lifetime. I was honored to work for President George H.W. Bush, serve as the executive director of the Colorado Republican Party in the early 1990s and serve as the chief of staff for three members of Congress. Our world has significantly changed, my current political skills are clearly not what they used to be and I realize my time in politics has passed.

My experience does tell me, however, that recent events in Colorado Congressional Districts 3, 4 and 5 provide an opportunity to rebuild and to begin again offering new positive, conservative common-sense solutions for which we were known. It’s an opportunity for new faces and new leaders for the next chapter of our state.

I realize this will not be an easy task nor will it be accomplished overnight. I am deeply concerned, prior to any caucus or primary votes being cast, that neither party seems able to recommend a candidate for president that can offer a positive vision and confidence in the future. The reality is in spite of the recent foolish ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court, our state will play a minimal role in the national election and our electoral college vote will be captured by the Democratic candidate.

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With that in mind, our congressional candidates should focus on federal issues that affect their district’s economy. In District 3, access to public lands and water are paramount. In District 4, agricultural policy is their bread and butter with some urban issues in Douglas County. In District 5, obviously military and space need to be the focus as Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas heavily depend on those departments.

The primaries will be crowded and nasty. The winning candidate is not required to receive 50% of the vote. The good news is candidates can get on the ballot with minimal petition signatures and bypass the caucus system. These crowded primaries may help some of our state legislators who are well known in their districts. Last time District 5 was open, the winner won little more than their state Senate district, but that provided the plurality necessary to carry the day.

I, like many members of the Colorado GOP, have lost confidence in our formal party structure, but I remain steadfast in my belief in the wisdom of the basic Colorado Republican voter.

Since I believe in the Colorado Republican primary voter, I ultimately believe we will choose great candidates. In the last primary election, our state slate was outstanding. Unfortunately, statewide they had little chance. In the 3rd Congressional District, Aspen liberals don’t play well in Grand Junction and Pueblo and they may try to buy the seat. With our freshly minted Congress members, we will have the opportunity to provide legislative agendas that appeal to everyday Coloradans. Our opportunity for a new era will not begin and end with this coming election, but take time and several elections.

My experience with former 3rd Congressional District U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis gives me the most hope. He was a great legislator who successfully passed two Colorado National Parks legislative items, and numerous common-sense land issues, through the United States House.  In addition, he was appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee, a feat few other Colorado congressional leaders have accomplished.

Though that is impressive, his real contributions to our country and our party may have been the young people he encouraged and inspired into political and public service. This includes: a former Secretary of Interior, a national television media celebrity, President George W. Bush’s press secretary, a former president of the Colorado state Senate, several former state legislators, presidential aides, people who work closely with our state’s leading foundations, and current and former local City Council members from throughout the state. This also includes champions both locally and in Washington, D.C., for important Colorado natural resources, health and educational issues.

In today’s culture we expect instant gratification, but the political hole we find ourselves in has developed over time. Doing our best to ignore the crazy political noise, which is not easy, may be our best hope. Our state and our country are too important to give up on.

Michael Hesse has served as an appointee of President George H. W. Bush; as a chief of staff to three members of Congress, and as executive director of the Colorado Republican Party in the 1990s. He currently is president of the Denver Police Museum.