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Colorado Invalidates GOP Vacancy Pick for House District 14 Over Notice Violation

State election officials ordered a redo after determining the committee met before the 10-day mailed-notice window required by a new transparency law.

Firearms instructor Ava Flanell, left, testifies before the state Senate's State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee as its members consider Senate Bill 3, a gun regulation bill, in the Old Supreme Court in the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Jan. 28, 2025. The committee held a first vote on SB25-003, which would effectively enact a ban on a wide swap of weapons considered assault weapons. The bill is up for its first committee vote in the Capitol. The committee lasted well into the evening with proponents and opponents of the bill allowed to give their testimony to the members of the committee. SB3 is a new approach to limiting the sale of high-powered, semiautomatic firearms -- instead of outright banning specific types of weapons, it would ban weapons that accept a detachable magazine. That would cover many of the weapons we consider assault weapons. Given that the bill is sponsored by state Sen. Tom Sullivan, whose opposition to similar legislation in the past has sunk it, it's also very likely to pass the chamber and the legislature this year. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Overview

  • The Department of State rejected the nomination paperwork, citing notice sent Sept. 15 for a Sept. 22 meeting, and said the committee may resubmit after following statute.
  • El Paso County Republicans plan to convene a new vacancy meeting on Oct. 11, and Ava Flanell said she intends to seek the seat again.
  • The original vote on Sept. 22 chose Flanell 28–26 over Joe Woyte, and the meeting was not livestreamed as required by a law that took effect in August.
  • County GOP chair Ken Davis said the initial process followed local bylaws and was recorded, and he said the party will update its rules to align with state law.
  • Reporters say the rejection appears to be a first in Colorado, highlighting scrutiny of a vacancy system that will account for roughly a quarter of lawmakers next year.