DENVER—If a tax day rally Friday was any indication, the tea party movement in Colorado remains a political force—but it’s far less boisterous.
The conservative crowd gathered outside the state Capitol numbered a couple hundred, large by weekday standards but nothing like the thousands who mobbed the Capitol lawn in previous years. With no looming election or health care debate to whip up interest, the chilly rally seemed lackluster compared to earlier gatherings.
“Do you remember the crowd we had? The sea of humanity? … Some of us are looking around wondering, ‘Where are the people?’ ” said Jon Caldara, a prominent conservative activist and talk radio host who frequently speaks at conservative rallies.
The elements of a tea party rally were there, from the yellow “Don’t Tread On Me” flags to the patriotic songs and quotes from Founding Fathers. The loosely organized movement certainly had plenty to celebrate in Colorado.
Tea party activists were credited for helping the GOP take a majority in the state House and defeating two incumbent congressional Democrats. Activists applauded Colorado’s new Republican secretary of state, Scott Gessler, and seemed to agree that the tea party movement has changed state and national politics.
The key now, speakers urged, is to maintain energy even if there’s no election this year.
“We need to do more than vote and forget,” said Matt Arnold, who led a conservative effort last year to defeat judicial incumbents.
But people at the rally acknowledged that momentum has lagged a bit. Attendees said it’s natural for interest to dip after an election and praised the tea party movement, saying it has changed the public perception of politics.
“It’s kind of died down a little, but it has still opened people’s eyes to what’s going on with government,” said activist Ryan Jones of Wheat Ridge.
Some seemed disappointed that conservative change hasn’t moved faster. A few blamed the GOP. Jason Worley of the 9/12 Broomfield group blasted Colorado’s new Republican House majority for not being conservative enough and being too quick to work with Democrats.
Worley called out lawmakers who have supported a health insurance exchange, which the federal health care law requires states to create. A bill to set up Colorado’s is pending in the Legislature and has some Republican support.
“What we didn’t expect was the Republican leadership in the House to roll over like lap dogs,” Worley said.
The crowd was urged to keep lobbying and to make their influence felt where it matters—not on the Capitol lawn, but inside.
“Why are there fewer out here? Cause we have learned better and better how to play the game,” Caldara said. “We are learning how to be involved.”
