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Disciples of Colorado Christian-Right Leader in Congress Handed Power to Trump Last Year In January 2025, Republicans enjoyed a unified government with the White House, Senate and House under GOP control, but leaders were far from unified in a year that included a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in history. House Speaker Mike Johnson then continued to keep the House on an extended hiatus. Meanwhile, the Senate took 659 votes, the most in modern history, according to Scripps News. Under Senate Majority Leader John Thune, the chamber approved 417 Trump nominees in record time. Both Johnson and Thune are evangelical Christians and disciples of James Dobson, the politically active Focus on the Family founder who died in August 2025. Johnson worked under Dobson as one of the first attorneys for legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, which Dobson helped found in 1984. Johnson called Dobson “a personal hero of mine” and “a singular figure in my life” who “did more for our cause than arguably anyone in generation” at Dobson’s October memorial service. Thune was elected in 2004 after Dobson used his platform at Focus on the Family and a new political organization called Focus on the Family Action to support Thune and five other GOP Senate candidates, all of whom won. (Colorado Times Recorder; 1.30.26) READMORE>>>>> How Colorado Springs became the center of America’s evangelical political power Colorado Springs didn’t just host America’s evangelical movement. It helped define it. That’s the conclusion historian William Schultz reaches in his book, “Jesus Springs: Evangelical Capitalism and the Fate of an American City.” Schultz traces how faith, power and place converged in one city, and how that convergence reshaped American evangelicalism far beyond Colorado. (KKRC; 1.18.26) READMORE>>>>> Protesters rally against ICE after fatal shooting of Colorado Springs native in Minneapolis Rev. Lee Ann Bryce, lead minister at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, said the fatal shooting of a woman who “showed up to bear witness and, in a moment of moral urgency, used her vehicle to block enforcement activity” is not about one tragic death. “It is about the kind of country we are becoming, and the kind of people we are willing to be,” she said at the rally. “Blocking with a vehicle is not a capital offense. Civil resistance is not a death sentence. And when nonviolent intervention is met with lethal force, something has gone deeply wrong. Demanding accountability is not anti-law. Insisting on human dignity is not radical. What is radical is the idea that some lives can be erased without consequence,” she added. (Gazette; 1.8.26) READMORE>>>>> Christian Nationalists fared poorly on election day Chalkbeat Colorado, an education site, reported that voters “opted for more progressive candidates in key school board races across Colorado on Tuesday, in some cases breaking the hold of conservative board majorities and in others adding more left- or center-leaning voices to right-leaning boards.” School boards dominated by the right wing fell in at least three Colorado districts: Douglas County, Woodland Park and Mesa County Valley District 51 in Grand Junction. As Chalkbeat noted, “Woodland Park in particular has been roiled by school board tumult in recent years, with staff resignations, teacher gag orders, and religious proselytization by some board members.” (Americans United 11/10/25) READMORE>>>>> Historian tells how Colorado Springs became ‘evangelical Vatican’ Colorado Springs is home to dozens of major international evangelical parachurch organizations, many of them arriving here between 1980 and 1995. But the story really begins between 1945 and 1955, says a historian’s new book. William J. Schultz’s Jesus Springs: Evangelical Capitalism and the Fate of an American City tells a story that “brings together conservative religion, conservative politics, laissez-faire economics and the role of the military,” said Schultz, an assistant professor of American religions at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Schultz originally planned to cover the 1990s, known for the arrival of Focus on the Family and the onset of the culture war over gay rights. (Baptist News Global 10/15/25) READMORE>>>> Christian summer camp sues over same-sex facilities mandate A Christian children’s summer camp located east of Breckenridge is suing the Colorado Department of Early Childhood over gender identity-based regulations requiring campers be allowed to use the private bathing, dressing, and sleeping facilities of the opposite sex. Named in the lawsuit are Lisa Roy, executive director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and Carin Rosa, director of the Department’s division of early learning licensing and administration. The state-licensed Camp IdRaHaJe (inspired by the song “I’d Rather Have Jesus”), had requested a waiver from the regulations based on religious beliefs, but was denied. and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. (Complete Colorado 5/15/25) READ MORE>>>>> New Colorado center for study of evangelicals debuts with talk by Tim Alberta Professors who believed Colorado Springs — home to dozens of national and international evangelical parachurch ministries — should help people better understand evangelicalism finally got their wish..The Center for the Study of Evangelicalism at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs began its work this fall and makes its public debut Wednesday with a talk by Tim Alberta, author of the bestselling book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. (Baptist News Global 1/26/24) READ MORE>>>>>  Gordon Klingenschmitt Files
Colorado state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt (R) said on Monday that it would be “better” for the Boy Scouts of America to drown its gay scoutmasters in the “depths of the sea” instead of lifting a ban on them…
“If your boy is in one of those organizations, you need to get him out of there,” he warned. “Because what they’re going to do is promote homosexual men to mentoring and camping with your boys in the woods. And it will lead to child abuse… The children are in danger. It’s not about the sexual pleasure of the adults.” Klingenschmitt pointed viewers a verse from the book of Matthew: “Whoever causes one of these to little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” “This is what Jesus said about child molesters,” the Republican lawmaker insisted… Klingenschmitt goes on to say that gay Boy Scout leaders being drowned would be preferable to the wrath of the Almighty God “when he throws them into hell.” Klingenschmitt himself says he would rather be drowned than face God’s judgment for the molestations that must surely follow if the Boy Scouts let gay scoutmasters come out of the closet. --As reported by Colorado Pols 3.18.24 |
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May 29, 2022: Denver Post reported: Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church in Murrieta, California, who hosts a YouTube channel with more 9,600 subscribers and envisions a conservative future for the state, recently started a political action committee aiming to “take back our school boards” and give parents authority over curriculum.
“We don’t want teachers or any other adults talking to our kids about sex,” Thompson said. “We don’t want teachers categorizing our kids into oppressed or oppressor. These are not political issues. They are moral and biblical issues.” Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of America, he argued. “People are afraid to speak up for these values because they are afraid that the left is going to slap a label like ‘racist’ or ‘Christian nationalist’ on them,” Thompson said. “I don’t care about those labels, because my wife, children, church and community know who I am.” 
Sept 14, 2022: Denver Post: Lauren Boebert is part of a dangerous religious movement that threatens democracy, experts say
“It’s time for us to position ourselves and rise up and take our place in Christ and influence this nation as we were called to do,” Boebert told a Woodland Park crowd in September Sept 19, 2022: Colorado Springs Gazette reported: Colorado Springs evangelical Christian groups less political, but even more powerful economical Some 30 years have passed since Colorado Springs economic development leaders actively courted prominent evangelical Christian organizations to relocate their operations and staff to the Pikes Peak region. The late 1980s and early 1990s brought Focus on the Family, Biblica–The International Bible Society, HCJB World Radio (now Reach Beyond), the Christian and Missionary Alliance, the Association of Christian Schools International, David C. Cook and other like-minded nonprofit ministries.
November 2, 2022: Denver Post reported: Focus on the Family’s Colorado Springs headquarters sign vandalized days after Club Q mass shooting. The sign of the Colorado Springs headquarters of the evangelical Christian ministry Focus on the Family was defaced days after a gunman attacked the city’s sole LGBTQ+ nightclub. “Their blood is on your hands” and “five lives taken” were spray-painted onto the sign following Saturday night’s mass shooting in Colorado Springs at Club Q. Five people died, and at least 18 others were wounded. Jan 17, 2005: NPR reported: When President Bush takes the oath of office this week, one group of Americans will take special pride in knowing he'll lead the country for another four years. Evangelical Christians are considered an important part of the coalition that re-elected him. For a two-part report, NPR's Jeff Brady visits Colorado Springs, Colo., which for the past decade has been recognized as a center for evangelical Christian organizations. |
May 22, 2023:
I read a good letter to the editor in a Colorado newspaper called "the Journal". Part of it:" Thus far in her congressional career, our U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert has been more of an annoyance than a threat, showboating about MAGA hot-button issues of “critical importance” to the 3rd Congressional District, such as whether urination in public is prohibited in Washington, D.C. But the threat level is changing.
The federal government is within days of hitting the debt limit. Because the feckless Kevin McCarthy, in his unbridled quest to become speaker of the house, went ahead and cut a backroom deal with Boebert and the Freedom Caucus, these ultra right-wing members have been potentially granted an outsized influence in the debate. Now, they say that Senate needs to pass their bill “as-is” with no changes. Otherwise, no debt limit increase. That isn’t a negotiation. It’s economic terrorism." And..same paper: Three years ago, when Boebert initially ran for Congress, she vowed to save Colorado’’ water from downstream liberals, which was very appealing to many. She blamed liberals in a conspiracy to steal the vote, along with Colorado’s water.
However, her voting record contradicts the goal. She boasted of securing almost $230 million for storage and delivery projects, with an additional $50 million for rural projects to combat drought. James O’Rourke of the Colorado Times Recorder revealed that Boebert actually voted against this measure. According to O’Rourke, the Democrats passed the bill.
..And again..same paper: Boebert supported the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education; she opposed Colorado’s red flag laws, which allow the police to remove a firearm from someone deemed dangerous to themselves or others; she believes that the market, rather than the government, should determine how the energy market and the health care system functions.
Boebert also opposes gay marriage, and the separation of church and state. To top it all off, Boebert espouses several conspiracy theories, including QAnon, which holds that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats are operating a clandestine pedophilia ring.
Simply put, Boebert is a menace. And the voters responded accordingly.
I read a good letter to the editor in a Colorado newspaper called "the Journal". Part of it:" Thus far in her congressional career, our U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert has been more of an annoyance than a threat, showboating about MAGA hot-button issues of “critical importance” to the 3rd Congressional District, such as whether urination in public is prohibited in Washington, D.C. But the threat level is changing.
The federal government is within days of hitting the debt limit. Because the feckless Kevin McCarthy, in his unbridled quest to become speaker of the house, went ahead and cut a backroom deal with Boebert and the Freedom Caucus, these ultra right-wing members have been potentially granted an outsized influence in the debate. Now, they say that Senate needs to pass their bill “as-is” with no changes. Otherwise, no debt limit increase. That isn’t a negotiation. It’s economic terrorism." And..same paper: Three years ago, when Boebert initially ran for Congress, she vowed to save Colorado’’ water from downstream liberals, which was very appealing to many. She blamed liberals in a conspiracy to steal the vote, along with Colorado’s water.
However, her voting record contradicts the goal. She boasted of securing almost $230 million for storage and delivery projects, with an additional $50 million for rural projects to combat drought. James O’Rourke of the Colorado Times Recorder revealed that Boebert actually voted against this measure. According to O’Rourke, the Democrats passed the bill.
..And again..same paper: Boebert supported the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education; she opposed Colorado’s red flag laws, which allow the police to remove a firearm from someone deemed dangerous to themselves or others; she believes that the market, rather than the government, should determine how the energy market and the health care system functions.
Boebert also opposes gay marriage, and the separation of church and state. To top it all off, Boebert espouses several conspiracy theories, including QAnon, which holds that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats are operating a clandestine pedophilia ring.
Simply put, Boebert is a menace. And the voters responded accordingly.
‘The Lord told us to’: US pastor says he stole $1m from Christians to remodel home
A Colorado pastor who is charged with stealing more than $1m from his Christian community in a cryptocurrency scheme has admitted to the fraud but argued that God instructed him to carry it out. Eli Regalado and his wife, Kaitlyn, are charged with creating and selling their cryptocurrency, known as “INDXcoin”, to Christians based in their home town of Denver, Colorado, allegedly telling would-be investors that the Lord had told him people would become rich if they invested, the state’s division of securities
announced in a press release on Thursday. (Gloria Oladipo/The Guardian 1/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
A Colorado pastor who is charged with stealing more than $1m from his Christian community in a cryptocurrency scheme has admitted to the fraud but argued that God instructed him to carry it out. Eli Regalado and his wife, Kaitlyn, are charged with creating and selling their cryptocurrency, known as “INDXcoin”, to Christians based in their home town of Denver, Colorado, allegedly telling would-be investors that the Lord had told him people would become rich if they invested, the state’s division of securities
announced in a press release on Thursday. (Gloria Oladipo/The Guardian 1/23/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Colorado Pastor Turned Legislator Has Promoted Christian Nationalism From The Pulpit For Years
“The church is not more powerful in Colorado than Satan is. I mean, think about what I’m saying. If that was different, wouldn’t we be able to do something about this?” That was what state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs) said during a sermon early last year, before he was elected to Colorado’s legislature. The source of his anger: Colorado Democrats’ policy wins, including multiple protections for abortion rights and a 2019 bill codifying comprehensive sex education – both things that fundamentalist Christians like Bottoms tend to vehemently oppose.
(James O'Rourke/Colorado Times Recorder 12/19/23) READ MORE>>>>>
“The church is not more powerful in Colorado than Satan is. I mean, think about what I’m saying. If that was different, wouldn’t we be able to do something about this?” That was what state Rep. Scott Bottoms (R-Colorado Springs) said during a sermon early last year, before he was elected to Colorado’s legislature. The source of his anger: Colorado Democrats’ policy wins, including multiple protections for abortion rights and a 2019 bill codifying comprehensive sex education – both things that fundamentalist Christians like Bottoms tend to vehemently oppose.
(James O'Rourke/Colorado Times Recorder 12/19/23) READ MORE>>>>>
How a bucolic Tennessee suburb became a hotbed of ‘Christian Nashville-ism’
A similar movement of outsiders helped turn Colorado Springs into a stronghold of the religious right in the heyday of groups like Focus on the Family, said Will Schultz, a religious historian at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the 1980s and 1990s, Focus and other evangelical nonprofits moved to Colorado Springs, creating a “Mecca for Evangelical Christians,” as NPR put it, and turning Colorado into a battleground over gay rights and other social issues. Those newcomers, often from more liberal places such as California or the East Coast, teamed up with conservative activists already in the region to oppose LGBT rights. “All of a sudden, in their backyard, they see the very forces they’d come to Colorado trying to escape,” said Schultz.
(Bob Smietana/Religion News 11/8/23) READ MORE>>>>>
A similar movement of outsiders helped turn Colorado Springs into a stronghold of the religious right in the heyday of groups like Focus on the Family, said Will Schultz, a religious historian at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In the 1980s and 1990s, Focus and other evangelical nonprofits moved to Colorado Springs, creating a “Mecca for Evangelical Christians,” as NPR put it, and turning Colorado into a battleground over gay rights and other social issues. Those newcomers, often from more liberal places such as California or the East Coast, teamed up with conservative activists already in the region to oppose LGBT rights. “All of a sudden, in their backyard, they see the very forces they’d come to Colorado trying to escape,” said Schultz.
(Bob Smietana/Religion News 11/8/23) READ MORE>>>>>
Seducing the Bride of Christ
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder 10/12/23) Read More>>>>>
During the 1980s, Colorado Springs was jokingly called the “evangelical Vatican” due to the prevalence of Christian megachurches, parachurches, ministries, and nonprofits. The influence of evangelical Christianity in Colorado Springs peaked in the 90s with the passage of Amendment 2, which banned local municipalities from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances to protect LGBTQ people. While the overt influence of groups like Focus on the Family on local and state politics has waned, the congregations in Academy School District 20 represent a sizable voting block. Messages from the Advocates for D20 Kids Discord server show that conservative candidates Derrick Wilburn and Amy Shandy were actively courting local churches for support in their campaigns. (Heidi Beetle/Colorado Times Recorder 10/12/23) Read More>>>>>
Right-Wing Christian Groups Back CO Congressman Buck and Others Who Ousted House Speaker
“Pro-family” groups support seven of the eight far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who made history Oct. 3 by voting to remove Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. Both Matt Gaetz of Florida, who led the charge against McCarthy, and Andy Biggs of Arizona have received the Family Research Council’s True Blue Award for their “perfect voting records” on issues including abortion and LGBTQ rights that make up the political agenda of FRC, which was founded and is aligned with Focus on the Family. (Steve Rabey/Colorado Times Recorder 10/6/23) Read More>>>>>
“Pro-family” groups support seven of the eight far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who made history Oct. 3 by voting to remove Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. Both Matt Gaetz of Florida, who led the charge against McCarthy, and Andy Biggs of Arizona have received the Family Research Council’s True Blue Award for their “perfect voting records” on issues including abortion and LGBTQ rights that make up the political agenda of FRC, which was founded and is aligned with Focus on the Family. (Steve Rabey/Colorado Times Recorder 10/6/23) Read More>>>>>
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Sep 14, 2023
Last year's Republican candidate for governor, Heidi Ganahl, said Christians can "singlehandedly" take back control of state government. |
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May 2, 2023: CBN: CO Church Shines God's 'Hopelight', Turns Worship Site Into Medical Clinic for Those in Need
A Colorado congregation is helping thousands of people by operating a medical clinic out of their church building.
For the past 9 years, they've been running this unique outreach program, and it's reportedly working.
A Colorado congregation is helping thousands of people by operating a medical clinic out of their church building.
For the past 9 years, they've been running this unique outreach program, and it's reportedly working.
Feb 12, 2023: The Gazette: Colorado law bans 'conversion therapy' for those under 18, but debate continues
Like other issues, homosexuality is divisive in Christianity, with some denominations interpreting the Bible to mean same-same relations are sinful, while other denominations say that's not what the Bible says.
Helping people who question their sexuality also has become controversial.
Focus on the Family has been criticized for something leaders like Johnston and President Jim Daly say Focus doesn’t do: Promote what’s known as conversion therapy.
Like other issues, homosexuality is divisive in Christianity, with some denominations interpreting the Bible to mean same-same relations are sinful, while other denominations say that's not what the Bible says.
Helping people who question their sexuality also has become controversial.
Focus on the Family has been criticized for something leaders like Johnston and President Jim Daly say Focus doesn’t do: Promote what’s known as conversion therapy.
November 23, 2022: Charisma reported: Although we still do not know (as of this writing) if the massacre at a gay bar in Colorado Springs was a hate crime, it is always appropriate to denounce all acts of violence and hatred against the LGBTQ community. There is absolutely no justification for such acts no matter how deep the disagreements. You do not murder someone because you differ with them. -11.23.22
Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing plaintiff Lorie Smith in the case, held a rally outside the Supreme Court as oral arguments took place inside. The case stems from Christian website designer Lorie Smith of 303 Creative challenging the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act out of concern that the law could characterize her objection to creating websites celebrating same-sex marriages as a violation of nondiscrimination protections for LGBT-identified individuals.
--Religious liberty advocates rally against 'unconstitutional' Colo. law as Supreme Court mulls pivotal case 12.5.22
--Religious liberty advocates rally against 'unconstitutional' Colo. law as Supreme Court mulls pivotal case 12.5.22