Lawsuit over Colorado GOP leadership dismissed, leaving Dave Williams as chair

Dave Williams, chair of the Colorado Republican Party, speaks during a rally for former President Donald Trump, the GOP candidate for president, Oct. 11, 2024, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

A lawsuit over the leadership of the Colorado Republican Party has been dismissed, leaving Dave Williams as the chair of the state party after a group of party members tried to vote him out.

The lawsuit in El Paso County District Court was dismissed earlier this month at the request of Eli Bremer and two other plaintiffs after a judge voided the results of an Aug. 24 meeting to remove and replace Williams. The case had been set to go to trial this week.

At the August meeting, attendees voted Bremer into the chairmanship . Judge Eric Bentley ruled, however, that Bremer and his allies did not have enough votes for the removal, according to his reading of the state party bylaws.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Bremer had connected with Republican candidates and the National Republican Congressional Committee in the capacity of state GOP chair between the meeting and the case dismissal. The NRCC had recognized him as the new chair.

Williams has repeatedly characterized the attempt to oust him as a “coup” and says he will “seek accountability” against those responsible.

“As we close the chapter on their failed coup, the rest of us need to unite and move forward together to defeat Democrats with less than a month left in this election,” he wrote in a recent email to party members.

Republicans are seeking to increase their numbers in the state Legislature and potentially flip the 8th Congressional District in November. The seat is held by Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who is running for reelection and faces a challenge from Republican state Rep. Gabe Evans.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE