The selection of local candidates through county caucus meetings continues this weekend across the San Luis Valley.
What is a caucus?
“Whether you are Democrat or Republican, a caucus gives you a voice in the election process,” says Cheryl O’Dowd, chair of the Alamosa County GOP. “A caucus is a meeting of registered members of a political party who select delegates for their party’s convention, in hope that those delegates will then nominate a preferred candidate to represent their party in the general election.”
Alamosa County Republicans and Alamosa County Democrats both hold caucus meetings this Saturday, March 7.
The Alamosa County GOP precinct caucus meeting will be held at Ortega Middle School. The caucus meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m., with check-in and registration for the Alamosa Central Committee at 3 p.m.
Alamosa County Democrats caucus at 10 a.m. at the Alamosa Recreation Center, 2222 Old Sanford Rd.
“Caucus and assembly are how everyday Democrats have a real say in what our party stands for and who represents us,” said Bob Rice, who serves as Alamosa County co-chair along with his wife, Regina. “This is where people in our community can step forward, get involved, and help shape the direction of Alamosa County Democrats and across Colorado.”
Caucus meetings are open to all registered party voters. Unaffiliated voters – not registered as Republican or Democrat – are deemed “independent voters” and do not attend caucus meetings.
For the 2026 midterm elections, Colorado’s primary election is June 30 and the November general election is Nov. 3. The caucus meetings will help Republicans and Democrats determine which local candidates appear on the primary ballot in races where more than one candidate is running for office.
For example, the Rio Grande County District 2 commissioners race has four Republicans running. The caucus meeting will determine which of the candidates have enough support to make the primary ballot.
Petition is another route for candidates to make a primary ballot. A candidate running for local office can qualify for the primary ballot either through a caucus meeting or by submitting enough petitions with valid voter signatures.
Rio Grande County Republicans also hold their caucus meeting on Saturday. The state Republican Party does not release a list of county caucus meetings for public consumption but relies on local party officials to distribute information.
Democrats in Colorado maintain an open website that lists all the county caucuses and candidates for office.
Rio Grande County Democrats Caucus and Assembly on Saturday. The caucus begins at 10 a.m. at the Ruth Marie Center, 575 Columbia Ave. in Del Norte.