Gun control group boosts Dems’ election hopes

A national gun control group is hoping to flip control of the Colorado Senate and other key races in the state by injecting $650,000 into campaigns and efforts to mobilize Democratic voters.

“The politics on this issue have shifted dramatically in favor of gun safety — and nowhere is that more true than in Colorado,” Everytown for Gun Safety president John Feinblatt said. “We are proud to support candidates up and down the ballot who will put public safety ahead of gun lobby priorities.”

Democrats hold a safe majority in the Colorado House of Representatives, but Republicans control the Senate by a single seat. Senate Republicans blocked a “redflag” bill during the 2018 legislative session that would have let law enforcement confiscate weapons from people in the midst of mental health crisis. Sen. Tim Neville, RJefferson County, fought to kill the redflag bill and was the sponsor on another proposal to remove the permit requirement in order to carry a concealed weapon.

Neville represents Senate District 16 — one of five seats at the center of the Democratic effort to flip control of the chamber. Democrats hope to hold districts 5, 20 and 22, in Jefferson County and around Aspen, and they want to unseat Neville and the senator from District 24 in Adams County.

Neville’s opponent, Tammy Story, is outraising the incumbent Republican by about a 2to1 ratio. However, outside Republican groups are spending a lot more money in these five races, tipping the overall amount spent in favor of the Republicans.

That’s where Everytown for Gun Safety’s money could play a crucial role. The group’s spokesman, Andrew Zucker, declined to say how the group plans to divide the $650,000, but he did tell The Denver Post that they’re hopeful a Democratic Senate would push through reforms like a redflag bill.

Everytown for Gun Safety has endorsed Democrat Tom Sullivan, whose son was killed during the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting, for state House District 37. At the congressional level, the group has gotten behind Democrat Jason Crow, who is running to unseat U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, RAurora.