Colorado Republicans Party Chairman Dave Williams on Thursday asked the Colorado State Patrol to investigate alleged threats posted online by a podcaster who warned the people behind a state GOP social media account that they were “in danger” and boasted that he “already (has) bail money.”

Williams announced in an email to supporters that he notified authorities after multiple exchanges with Anthony W. Chavez late Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, including a post by Chavez that referred to last week’s shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York sidewalk.

“We have contacted the State (Patrol) to intervene and neutralize this immediate threat while notifying our office team to take steps to protect themselves,” Williams said in the email.

Added Williams: “If there’s one thing we all should be able to unify against, it’s threats of political violence.”

“F—— you up is going to be the highlight of my year,” Chavez tweeted Wednesday night after participating in a nearly two-hour online town hall on X that discussed the Colorado GOP and its leadership.

“I already have bail money,” Chavez added. “Hope told us there’s 4 of you and I’m close to figuring out who and where you work/live.”

Williams ally Hope Scheppelman, the state GOP’s vice chairwoman, said during the X town hall that she and Williams are among four people with access to the party’s X account.

On Thursday afternoon, Chavez denied on X that he’d threatened violence against state Republicans. Instead, Chavez maintained that he intended to “use the Socratic method and ask questions as an investigative journalist” in order to expose what he characterized as “gaslighting” by party officials.

“Locating people of Interest to film them on camera with questions is part of the job,” tweeted Chavez, who hosts the Skin in the Game podcast and posts what he describes as confrontational videos to social media. “I am no way insinuating violence towards Dave from me.”

Chavez acknowledged that his references to the health insurance company CEO’s murder “may upset some people” but insisted he meant to express how frustrated some Americans are, rather than to suggest violence.

“I don’t even own a gun,” Chavez tweeted. “The observation that I made with apropos comparison may upset some people. To that end, don’t mistake my initial comments of my observation as a threat from me personally to Dave or the other 3 gaslighting cowards that hide behind the account.”

Referring to next year’s state party reorganization, Chavez added: “March is the vote for the chair and that’s great news!”

Chavez told Colorado Politics that Williams misinterpreted his earlier tweets.

“I want to set the record straight. I’m not a violent person, but I am a person who will capture you on film and ask questions,” Chavez said. “I’m not intending to be violent with anyone. I’m attempting to change the state that I live in, the state I grew up in.”

Chavez said he meant to draw attention on what he characterized as a failure by Republican National Committee leaders to reprimand Williams and others who control the state GOP’s social media accounts for routinely getting into online spats that Chavez said reflect poorly on Republicans.

“Calling attention to that and calling for someone to denounce Dave and publicly shame him is what’s warranted. That’s the whole goal,” Chavez said.

“I believe the failed leadership at that level is responsible for a lot of what could have been an incredible year for the Republicans Party in the state of Colorado.”

While state Republicans made some gains in the November election — flipping a congressional seat and three state House seats — Democrats still hold wide majorities in the legislature and occupy every statewide elected office following lopsided wins in the previous three general elections.

Brita Horn, a Williams critic and former Routt County treasurer, organized Wednesday’s online town hall and invited Chavez and more than a dozen other GOP officials, activists and former candidates to participate. She told Colorado Politics on Thursday that she only knew Chavez “in passing” after crossing paths with him at some party events and when he volunteered to help cure ballots after last month’s election.

“I am completely shocked by his words and unequivocally condemn any suggestion of political violence,” Horn said in a text message. “Such rhetoric has no place in our party or our country.”

Williams told Colorado Politics that he doesn’t buy Chavez’ explanation.

“We can’t consider him a non-threat at this point,” Williams said in a text message. “He can’t unring the bell after we contacted authorities.”

Williams added that the party will likely also file for a restraining order against Chavez, “no matter what.”