The Colorado Democratic and Republican parties recently wrapped up their caucuses on Super Tuesday. The 2016 Democratic caucus was notable for the unexpected large turnout – while the GOP canceled their presidential preference poll. Either way, there were gripes. Two lawmakers are planning to introduce a bill to change the state's caucus system and instead add a presidential primary.
Capitol Conversation with Bente Birkeland
Highlights from Capitol Conversation
On Public Support for Changing the Caucus System
Joey Bunch, The Denver Post: "It's an antiquated system. It goes back to the colonial days and most states have gone to a primary and there's momentum to go to a primary in Colorado."
Peter Marcus, Durango Herald: "This year [2016] the lawmakers pushing it believe they have the ground swell of support. They certainly have the emotion on their side."
On Legislative Hurdles
Marcus: "We've tried in the legislature several times to address this issue and transition away from a caucus system to a primary system and every time it always hits the same funding roadblocks."
Bunch: "It would be hard to carve out $6 million for this when you're looking at giving nearly $1 billion in refunds."
Copyright 2016 KUNC
