On February 18th, Jenny Wilford, a Colorado House Democrat, took to Twitter to express her dismay over the state of political discourse, noting a perceived decline in the ability to engage in constructive dialogue, handle disagreements, understand nuanced perspectives, and ultimately move forward collaboratively.

However, her sentiment appears to conveniently gloss over significant internal challenges within the Democratic Party in Colorado.

Pointing fingers at Republicans for failing to pass “common-sense legislation” has become a favorite pastime of Democrats in the House, but they seem to overlook the fact that many of their problems stem from internal discord and leadership issues. The inability of Democrats to effectively address their own internal dynamics has led to a stagnation in the legislative process and a failure to deliver on promises of bipartisanship made to constituents.

Recent events within the Colorado House of Representatives serve as stark examples of this internal strife. The resignations of two Democratic representatives, Said Sharbini and Ruby Dickinson, citing infighting and a toxic atmosphere within the caucus, underscore the severity of the problem. Such departures not only signal a lack of cohesion within the party but also signal its disinterest in effective, responsible leadership.

Moreover, Speaker Julie McCluskie's decision to deny entry to a Jewish delegation seeking to address the House Floor due to concerns about maintaining decorum within her caucus further exacerbates tensions. This decision reflects a lack of trust in her own party members to adhere to established rules and conduct themselves appropriately, ultimately undermining the integrity of the legislative process.

The absence of Representative Elisabeth Epps, who has not attended a single floor session since the beginning of the new session in January, following her involvement in a contentious verbal altercation during the Extraordinary Special Session, further highlights the dysfunctional nature of Democratic leadership in Colorado. This pattern of behavior not only reflects poorly on individual representatives but also speaks to broader systemic issues within the party.

READ MORE:

• Colorado State Rep. Ruby Dickson Resigns Citing Toxic Legislative Environment

• Another Democrat member of the Colorado House resigns due to caucus division and a toxic atmosphere

• Toxic Environment and Resignations Plague Colorado House Democrats

• Jewish Democratic leaders call for end to 'divisive rhetoric' within party after Denver legislator joins pro-Palestinian protesters

• Rep. Epps and Rep. Marshall Removed from Judiciary Committee for Clashes and Violations of Decorum

At the heart of these challenges lies a failure of leadership. Speaker McCluskie's apparent inability to control her caucus and her permissive attitude allows Dems to prioritize personal politics over effective governance. This has contributed to a culture of division and discord within the Democratic Party. Her leadership style not only undermines the party's ability to work collaboratively with Republicans but also erodes public trust in the political process.

While Democrats may lament the breakdown of civil discourse and cooperation in politics, they must first confront the internal divisions and leadership deficiencies within their own party. Addressing these challenges is essential for restoring trust in government, fostering bipartisan cooperation, and effectively serving the needs of the people of Colorado.