Weekly Email 3/2/26

Topic of the Week: The 2026 Caucus — Your 24 Hours to Shape Democracy

"We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." — Thomas Jefferson

A Word from RTB Board Member Ivan Geer

"I believe that most Americans are independent at their core. Yet the political process will always involve parties by its nature; parties ultimately present our choices, which results in independents voting for candidates presented by parties. Many of us are disenchanted with the party process and particularly concerned with the money involved in our electoral system. We quit the parties and complain about our choices.

Frankly, most voters are unaware of their ability to moderate the hyper-partisan voices and have more influence over our choices. If we just invested a mere 24 hours of our own time every two years, attending our precinct caucus, then our county assembly, we could soften the partisan voices with community action. Without money, we could effectively override the influence of money and present better candidates who volunteer to serve the country rather than special interests. I have lived this journey from ignorant to participating and trying to lead, yet so many of my friends still refuse to donate their time. Stop complaining about the parties. Sign up, participate, and bring the best candidates to the ballot. We have the power; all we need to do is donate 24 hours of our time every two years. Let's do this."

A Brief History of the Caucus

The caucus process originated in the early political practices of the United States, with roots in 18th-century New England town meetings — especially in communities like Boston — where local leaders gathered to debate issues and coordinate support for candidates. By the early 1800s, this had evolved into congressional caucuses used by the Democratic-Republican Party to nominate presidential candidates, a system critics dubbed "King Caucus" because party insiders in Washington effectively chose nominees before voters had a direct role. Backlash in the 1820s prompted many states to shift toward more participatory methods, including conventions, primaries, and local caucuses.

In Colorado, the caucus–assembly–convention model took hold in the late 19th century after statehood in 1876. While voters replaced presidential caucuses with a state-run primary in 2016, caucuses still play an important role in down-ballot races for offices such as the state legislature and Congress. Today, precinct caucuses are used for internal party governance, endorsements, delegate selection, and as one pathway for candidates to qualify for the primary ballot.

For further reading:

• What is a Caucus? 

• Colorado Caucus FAQs 

• State-by-state differences

Q&A with Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross

We're grateful to Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross for answering a few questions for this week's newsletter.

Can you explain the caucus process and how it works in Mesa County?

The precinct caucus is the first step in the party nomination process. Registered party members meet in person to elect delegates to the county assembly. Delegates are not legally bound to their stated preferences or to the voters who selected them. At the county assembly, candidates must receive at least 30% of the delegate vote to advance to the primary ballot through the assembly route. Ballot order is based on the percentage received — the highest vote-getter appears first.

Who can participate? Can unaffiliated voters attend?

To vote in a party caucus, you must live in the precinct for at least 22 days, be registered at least 22 days before the caucus, and be affiliated with the party for at least 22 days. Youth participation differs by party: the Republican Party allows a 17-year-old who will turn 18 by the next general election to vote; the Democratic Party allows preregistered voters age 16 or older to vote. Unaffiliated voters may observe but cannot vote or participate.

Does the caucus process tend to limit our choices of candidates?

Supporters say it encourages grassroots involvement and discussion, builds party organization, and ensures candidates have meaningful party backing by requiring 30% support. Critics point out that caucuses often have lower turnout due to time and attendance requirements, delegates are not bound to voter preferences, and voting is public, which may create social pressure. Candidates who don't meet the 30% threshold can still petition onto the ballot through a separate route.

2026 Caucus Dates & Locations

Find your precinct number at govotecolorado.com — look under County & District Information (you'll need the last three digits of your precinct number).

— MESA COUNTY —

🔵 Democrats — March 7, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – noon (Registration 9–10 a.m.) County Assembly: March 7, same afternoon in Clifton. Locations vary by precinct — Meadowlark Gardens, 1st Congregational UCC, Clifton Community Center, Palisade Gym, and Mesa Community Center. Virtual attendance available with 30 days' notice: (970) 341-9975.301 N 7th St Unit 2, Grand Junction | 970-549-8544 | mesacountydems.org

🔴 Republicans — March 7, 2026 | County Assembly: March 28 Locations TBA — check mesacountygop.org/caucus for updates.602 Bookcliff Ave, Grand Junction | 970-314-9393 | mesacountygop.org mesacountyrepublicanparty@gmail.com

Mesa County Elections Office: 970-244-1662

— DELTA COUNTY — 

🔵 Democrats — March 7, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – noon Hotchkiss K-8 School, 465 Lorah Lane, Hotchkiss, CO 81419. You must be a registered Democrat and precinct resident by February 13, 2026. 16- and 17-year-old pre-registered Democrats are also eligible.Contact: info@deltacountydems.com | 970-856-5329 | deltadems.org

🔴 Republicans — Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.Locations vary by precinct: Precincts 1–8 (Delta Area) — Delta Middle SchoolPrecincts 9–14 (Cedaredge Area) — Cedaredge Middle SchoolPrecincts 15–20 (North Fork Area) — North Fork High School

County Assembly: March 21 — More info: deltacoloradogop.com/caucus

— LA PLATA COUNTY —

🔵 Democrats — March 7, 2026 Details at laplatadems.org/events-1/2026-la-plata-caucus-assembly

🔴 Republicans — March 3, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. (Credentialing begins at 6:00 p.m.) Locations throughout La Plata County — contact chair@laplatacountyrepublicans.org Accessibility accommodations available — contact the party at least 30 days in advance.

Spotlight: Courageous Colorado Caucus & Assembly Learning Project

RTB is a proud coalition member of Courageous Colorado (courageouscolorado.org), an organization that shares our values and is actively gathering information and feedback on the Colorado caucus process. Here's what they're doing:

Looking: Recruiting coalition members and their networks to attend a precinct caucus or county assembly, as a participant or observer, and provide brief reflections. Learning: Documenting how the process functions in practice; who participates (and who doesn't), how accessible it feels, and how it differs across counties and parties. Leading: Building the evidence and credibility needed to shape a stronger narrative heading into the 2028 cycle.

Observations are needed from both major parties. They're also interested in other party processes, such as Forward or Libertarian caucuses and assemblies. To get involved, contact Amy Spicer at amy@courageouscolorado.org.

And save the date: Courageous Colorado will have representatives at our March 18 Social Hour at Feisty Pint: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. — come out to meet them and learn more!

On the Radar: Local Government Meetings

• Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9am

• Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30pm

• Town of Palisade Board of Trustees Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6pm

• Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7pm

• D51 School Board: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 5pm (public comments accepted on 3rd Tuesdays only)

• Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30pm

• Public Health Board: Monthly Tuesdays @ 3pm

RTB Member Insights

Here are some recommendations from our members:

• RTB member Lynne Charles recommends "What is Your Emergency?" from This American Life (Episode 880) — tape recordings of actual citizens calling in as ICE hunts them down. - Listen here

• Film recommendations from an RTB member: "Wag the Dog" and "The Candidate", two classic, thought-provoking takes on politics and media.

Thank you to all who have submitted photos, podcasts, and video recommendations. We will publish a recommendation in each category every week. Please keep them coming!

Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter?

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Let's learn from each other and build a more informed community together.Don't forget to vote in 2026: June primaries, November general.