Laydon, Hudson reprimanded by Colorado GOP

Signed letter in Montana controversy

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A political rift two states away has spilled into Colorado and Douglas County politics, with Colorado GOP leaders formally rebuking elected Republican o cials for standing with Democrats in their opposition to the Montana state House barring a transgender lawmaker from the chamber.

First-term Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr had been prevented from speaking on the chamber oor by the Montana House speaker since April 20, when she refused to apologize for telling colleagues who supported a ban on gender-a rming care for youths that they would have “blood” on their hands, the Associated Press reported.

In response, state Rep. Brianna Titone, an Arvada Democrat, led over 75 elected o cials in Colorado in sending a letter to Montana legislators asking for Zephyr to be allowed back into the chamber, according to a news release.

“She was right to speak with strong words of advocacy for those Mon- tana residents who are struggling to get the care, understanding, and respect they so desperately need,” the letter says. e letter, signed by two local Republicans, Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon and Castle Pines City Councilmember Roger Hudson, prompted Colorado Republican Party leaders to pass a resolution that “reprimanded” Hudson, Laydon and Republican state Reps. Ron Weinberg and Rick Taggart, who also signed the letter.

“It’s the responsibility of any organization to hold its members accountable for harmful decisions they make,” the Colorado GOP said in a June 21 email announcement.

Douglas o cials respond

For Hudson, the Castle Pines city councilmember, limits on debate on potential state laws in uenced his decision to sign Titone’s letter, he told Colorado Community Media.

“ e majority silencing the minority through procedural tactics isn’t right,” Hudson said. “Isn’t right in Colorado and it isn’t OK in Montana.”

Hudson, who also serves as deputy chief of sta for the Colorado House Republicans, said in a statement that he believes in a Colorado “where we all are free to speak and live freely.” in passing any resolution that would limit the free speech of any American or duly elected Colorado Republican — but I am positive that it doesn’t reduce the property taxes of a single Coloradan, increase housing for Colorado families, or make our

Colorado have held little political power statewide in recent years.

“ e Colorado Republican Party cannot a ord further division, especially over Montana politics. e day