Colorado Republican Leader Mike Lynch of Wellington survived a vote of “no confidence” on Monday, but the drama that unfolded in the state House might not be over yet.     

The House GOP caucus held a special meeting to vote on a resolution of “no confidence” in Lynch, a Republican from Wellington.

The vote was 9-9, with one member, Rep. Stephanie Luck of Penrose, excused because she recently gave birth and is on maternity leave for the next six weeks.

That tie vote, however, could mean another attempt once Luck becomes available.

Luck is aligned with the wing of the Republican caucus that includes Reps. Scott Bottoms and Ken DeGraaf, both of Colorado Springs. It was Bottoms who introduced the motion for a “no confidence” vote; DeGraaf seconded it.

How each member voted is unknown as the vote was conducted via secret ballot.

But at least one lawmaker told Colorado Politics it wasn’t absolutely clear what a “yes” vote meant – was it a vote to retain Lynch or to remove him as minority leader? 

That leaves open the possibility that a second vote might produce a dramatically different result, since Lynch allies believed prior to the meeting he had the votes to keep his position. 

Bottoms said he sought the vote because of Lynch’s drunk-driving arrest in 2022. 

Lynch was arrested for driving under the influence, speeding and being in possession of a firearm while intoxicated in September, 2022. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced in December, 2022 to 150 hours of community service and 15 months of probation, which ends in June. 

While Bottoms and DeGraaf, and some of their allies, advocated for the vote, citing a lack of accountability by Lynch, others in the caucus suggested strings were being pulled by people outside of the state Capitol. 

Bottoms, in seeking the vote of no confidence, said it is not an attack on Lynch but that for the latter to continue serving as minority leader does not meet “quality ethical standards.”

“This is the right thing to do,” Bottom said, since Lynch did not resign when the news of the arrest became public.

Bottoms said the vote is meant to maintain the integrity of the Republican caucus.

DeGraaf said his reasons had to do with Lynch’s failure to disclose at the time the DUI occurred. The caucus chose Lynch as minority leader in November 2022, after the unexpected death of then-Minority Leader Hugh McKean of Loveland. 

In response, Lynch told the caucus, “There’s nothing that hasn’t been exposed.”

He added it has been a difficult time for him and his family.

“I went through the experience like any other citizen. I learned from it, I gained from it, it made me a better person,” he said. “I would not be sitting here with you all today asking for your vote of confidence if I did not believe it would continue to be my job” and put the caucus first. 

Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough Park, criticized Lynch for not coming clean about the arrest prior to his election as minority leader.

“We abide by values and principles,”  Bradley said. “This is taking accountability for our actions.”

DeGraaf then asked for a roll call vote, a move that other members of the caucus said would violate the rules.

Rep. Richard Holtorf of Akron, who, like Lynch, is running for the 4th Congressional District seat, said no member should be targeted or attacked for their vote and advocated for a secret ballot. 

“There are elements outside of this building that are involved or encouraged by one side of this issue and trying to influence the business of this House,” Holtorf said.

He didn’t name names.

Rep. Anthony Hartsook of Parker said that a party that advocates for election integrity should not change the rules around the vote.

“It doesn’t benefit the public” or the members of the caucus, he said.

After the vote, Lynch said likened his caucus to a family that has disagreements – “but not on the big issues.”

“We remain unified and focused on the issues that matter most to the hardworking families of Colorado,” he said. “As House Minority Leader, I am proud to lead a caucus that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of the people we represent.”

He added: “I have fully accepted, and I own the mistake I made in 2022, that’s what leaders do. I look forward to earning the trust of the members that didn’t vote for me and I appreciate the continued support of those who did.”