A federal judge on Friday may have saved Colorado’s Republican Party. At the very least, he prevented a small-scale political suicide by what’s left of it.

Indeed, the Republican Party is private. Private entities should do as they please within the confines of law. The merits regarding the outcome of this case remain in question and may be appealed. Regardless of legalistic merits, the Republican Party lives another day because of U.S. District Court Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer — a Republican appointee.

Brimmer ruled against the Republican Party’s suit to forbid non-Republicans from voting in GOP primaries.

A marginal faction of Colorado’s GOP has fussed for eight years about a 2016 statewide ballot measure that opened primaries in Colorado. Passage allowed unaffiliated voters — the state’s largest and fastest-growing voting block — to request a ballot to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries.

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For Republicans, the passage of Proposition 108 was a much-needed opportunity. For years leading to its passage, Democratic voter registration outpaced that of Republican registration. The scorecard today is 900,000 Republicans, 1 million Democrats, and 2 million unaffiliated voters. The spread between registered Republicans and Democrats continues to grow.

Political insiders long ago saw this as a looming crisis for Colorado Republicans. Even worse, it is a legitimate concern for anyone who wants balanced, responsible governance shared by the right, left, and middle.

Then came Proposition 108. With the new law, Republicans and Democrats could compete for the support of the 2 million who don’t favor either party. It meant each party would have a greater incentive to find and promote candidates who know and support their values and platforms.

It is hard to imagine a better way for people who don’t care for party politics — a population willing to listen and learn — to decide which candidates they might support in the general election.

No Republican or Democrat can win a statewide election without substantial support from unaffiliated voters. An unaffiliated voter who chooses Republicans in the primary is likely to support them in November. Same for a Democrat. It is the definition of a fair, win-win policy that promotes competition.

Democrats get it and have worked vigorously under the rules of the real world — not feigning for a pretend universe in which the GOP snubs unaffiliated voters and then begs for their support.

Most Colorado Republicans support open primaries. That’s because they trust the appeal and logic of key party issues, such as limited government, fiscal responsibility, law and order, the right to life, mental health and addiction treatment, school choice, property rights, gun rights, diversity, free speech and constructive and humanitarian border control.

Meanwhile, a feckless fringe wants a Republicans-only primary — even if Democrats open their primary to 100% of unaffiliated registered voters. That would give Democrats full sway over independents. Republicans would actively reject them. It sounds like this:

“Get lost for now but love us in the fall.”

State GOP Chairman Dave Williams reacted to the ruling with an old trope about Republicans he considers beneath him.

“… This judge relied on the false testimony of RINOs,” Williams said, referring to “Republican In Name Only.” The closed-primary crowd has so abused the “RINO” slur it packs the punch of Biden’s “dog-faced pony soldier.” Ouch!

As the party clamors for an exclusive primary — shooing all others away — it exhibits the symptoms of a severe personality disorder. Bullies have the right to disassociate, insult, and act superior. It makes them feel good, but never wins elections.

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board