DENVER-
The Colorado House approved and sent to the Senate on Tuesday a plan to move the state’s presidential caucuses from March to Feb. 5 along with several other states, hoping to cash in on the national attention it would bring from candidates.
The bill (House Bill 1376) would allow political parties to decide whether to move the caucuses from the third Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in February during presidential election years. It passed on a vote of 37-26.
Rep. Michael Garcia, D-Aurora, said the bill allows political parties to decide for themselves when they want to hold their caucuses.
Republicans said they are worried about moving up the date for caucuses for state offices because it would give candidates less time to rally their supporters. The bill would apply to caususes for state as well as federal offices.
Republicans lost control of both chambers in the Legislature in 2004 and hope to retake the House in 2008. To do that, they need to focus not only on the high-profile offices but on lower-tier races as well.
Democrats said separate caucuses would cost too much.
