Hey, Montrose County, Wake Up!

Residents of Montrose County should be aware that former State Senator Don Coram, a Republican often portrayed as a moderate, is reportedly seeking to regain influence within the local Republican Party through behind-the-scenes efforts. Coram, who served in the Colorado Legislature from 2011 to 2023, has remained active in local politics. He played a role in supporting the recent recall campaign against conservative Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares. Some supporters and local media continue to describe him as a reasonable, bipartisan voice for rural Colorado.

However, others point to Coram's legislative record in the State Senate as diverging sharply from core conservative values, particularly on issues impacting children, families, public safety, and party loyalty. They also accuse him of actively working to undermine the credibility and unity of the Montrose County Republican Party Central Committee. This includes aligning with other censured or disgruntled figures (such as former party chair Ray Langston) thereby damaging the party's reputation and effectiveness, all while Coram seeks to rehabilitate his own standing after past controversies diminished it.

Below is a detailed look at key elements of his record, drawn from official sources and public reports.

1. Vote in Support of HB 19-1263 (2019): Reclassifying Controlled Substance Possession

Coram voted yes on House Bill 19-1263, which reduced possession of 4 grams or less of Schedule I or II controlled substances (including fentanyl) from a felony to a misdemeanor for personal use in most cases. Supporters framed it as a public health approach focused on treatment. Critics argue it contributed to lax enforcement and the spread of dangerous drugs.

This issue remains relevant amid Colorado's ongoing fentanyl crisis. On November 17, 2025, authorities announced the largest fentanyl seizure in state history: approximately 1.7 million counterfeit pills from a Highlands Ranch storage unit, highlighting the persistent threat.

• Official bill summary: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1263

2. Co-Sponsorship of HB 19-1032 (2019): Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education

As a prime Senate co-sponsor, Coram helped pass House Bill 19-1032, mandating comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive sexuality education in schools that offer such programs. It covers topics like consent, healthy relationships, STI prevention, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, while maintaining parental opt-out rights.

Opponents raised concerns about age-appropriateness, references to surveys asking sensitive questions, and potential violations of obscenity laws (e.g., CRS 18-7-101 and 18-7-102, or Miller v. California, 1973).

• Official bill page: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1032

3. Sponsorship of SB 21-067 (2021): Strengthening Civics Education

Coram sponsored this bipartisan bill to expand civics education, requiring instruction on the contributions of diverse groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, alongside traditional topics like government structure.

Supporters saw it as fostering inclusivity and civic knowledge. Critics viewed it as introducing discussions of "diverse sexual lifestyles" into classrooms, with some districts reporting implementation challenges.

• Official bill page: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-067

4. History of Partisan Divisions and Local Party Conflicts

Reelected as a Republican State Senator in 2018, Coram drew significant backlash for co-sponsoring numerous Democratic-led bills and for publicly endorsing Democrats in races against Republicans, including his prominent 2022 endorsement of Adam Frisch over incumbent Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. These actions resulted in formal censures from the Montrose County GOP as well as from multiple other county Republican organizations across Colorado.

Reports of heated constituent interactions, including strong language, added to tensions.

In 2021 Coram provided financial and organizational support to opposition campaigns targeting four strong conservative candidates for the Montrose County School Board. Those efforts contributed to the election of a  left-leaning board majority that held control for the subsequent four years. Voters corrected this outcome on November 4, 2025, by electing a new conservative slate that restored traditional priorities to the district.

Coram has also been linked to the 2025 recall effort against Commissioner Scott Mijares, a conservative. The Montrose County Republican Party officially opposed the recall, calling it a baseless attack on voter will, driven by personal grudges. Critics, including party statements and local commentary, accuse Coram and his leftist allies of working behind the scenes to promote the recall, sowing division, and eroding trust in the Central Committee to bolster their own influence after prior actions damaged their reputations within conservative circles.

As local politics evolve, Montrose County Republicans are urged to examine these details closely. Party unity, adherence to conservative principles, and respect for election results are essential for maintaining credibility and effectiveness in representing community values. Voters deserve leaders who strengthen, rather than fracture, the organization.

~Fite4Truth~