Why Colorado Dems and GOP are hosting their state assemblies in Pueblo

In a few weeks, the Colorado Democratic Party and the Colorado Republican Party will visit Pueblo to host their respective state conventions.

Democrats will hold their 2026 state convention on March 28 at Pueblo Memorial Hall. On April 11, Republicans will hold a rally at Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Massari Arena, named for Democratic state Rep. Vincent Massari. The chairpersons of both parties met respectively with leader On how important Pueblo is to their goals for 2026 and beyond.

Pueblo has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. The Democratic candidate won Pueblo County in all but two U.S. presidential elections between 1932 and 2012. However, Donald Trump turned Pueblo County red in 2016 and 2024.

Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Shad Mulib told leader The decision to hold the Democratic rally in Pueblo was a “values-driven choice” as the party hopes to win back working-class and Latino voters who defected to the Republican Party in 2024.

“This is a clear message we’re sending that we don’t want to leave Pueblo behind at all but double down and invest in it,” Mulib said.

Colorado Republican Party Chair Britta Horn told leader Districts like Pueblo turning Republican are the result of county parties “actually doing the work.” The job includes ensuring voters show up to the polls, knocking on doors and getting information about candidates.

“We’re taking lessons from the state level because that’s the job, the party’s job,” Horn said. “Elect more Republicans, grow the party and keep raising money.”

Democrats focus on listening, protecting freedoms, and saving voters money

muribu told leader The statehouse in Pueblo will give Democrats from around the state a chance to talk to residents of southern Colorado — a region where the Democratic chair said there is often a loss of trust between local residents and state politicians.

“President Biden has done really great things for Colorado and Pueblo in his administration, but we’ve done a terrible job communicating and listening,” Mulib said. “It’s not just about making sure that the information we’re telling people is the right thing. It’s also about making sure that we take the time to stop, listen and make sure that we understand what people need to see from us in order to be successful.”

Mulib said that by 2026, Colorado Democrats’ message to voters includes “protecting your freedoms” and “saving you money.”

“If you are a gun owner and you possess these weapons safely, you should be allowed to do so,” he said. “If you want to go to college and get a good job after college, you should be free to do that just as you would if you didn’t want to go to college.”

Colorado Republicans emphasize public safety, parent involvement, economy

When it comes to entering the 2026 gubernatorial race and other statewide races, Horn said it’s important for candidates to focus on “table” issues that voters care about. She listed issues such as public safety, parent involvement in education and the economy.

“Obviously when you get to Pueblo, any other county and any other city, we have some other very critical issues that need to be discussed,” Horn said. “We don’t want to take away from that, but we want to make sure we have a really good, sensible message that resonates with everyday Republicans and Coloradans.”

Horn hopes effective messaging can “open the door to the Republican Party for everyone,” whether the voter is a registered Republican, independent or Democrat.

“Come in,” she said. “We are your community. We are your family, let’s get some work done. Let’s win the election.”

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Pueblo Chiefs reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local journalism; subscribe to Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.

This article originally appeared in Pueblo Chiefs: Why Colorado Democrats and Republicans are hosting statehouses in Pueblo