In any thriving organization – be it corporate, civic, or political – dissenting voices and constructive criticism are not only tolerated but encouraged. They are seen as tools for growth, refinement, and progress. The same should be true for the Colorado Republican Party. Unfortunately, recent interactions with Chairman Dave Williams paint a troubling picture of how the party’s current leadership views accountability, feedback, and the free exchange of ideas.
Over the past month, I have offered my thoughts and analysis on two critical topics facing the Colorado GOP: proposed bylaw amendments and the centralization of power within the party. These articles were not personal attacks, nor were they designed to undermine leadership.
They were calls to examine the potential consequences of these actions – consequences that could alienate grassroots conservatives, stifle collaboration, and make the party less adaptable to the needs of its members. Each commentary even included actionable recommendations for improvement, reflecting a sincere desire to see the state party succeed.
Williams disappoints
Yet, rather than engaging in dialogue, Williams responded with hostility, dismissiveness, and personal accusations. Instead of viewing my outreach as an effort to foster discussion, he projected ulterior motives and dismissed me as an “establishment actor.”
His response, which included accusations of bad faith and a refusal to engage further, illustrates precisely the dangers inherent in the proposed changes to the GOP’s bylaws. If this is how disagreement is treated now, what happens if the amendments pass and power becomes even more concentrated in the hands of a few?
Williams’ reaction is particularly perplexing given the context. Just months ago, he faced an attempted coup within the party – a misguided effort to oust him at a time when unity was most needed. While I openly opposed that effort, Williams appears to have carried residual paranoia from the episode, mistaking thoughtful critique for a personal attack.
Fear-based leadership, especially in the aftermath of such a challenge, often leads to decisions driven by preservation of authority rather than service to the organization’s mission. This is precisely the concern I raised in my articles – concerns that Williams’ own response has now validated.
What is most disappointing is not Williams’ disagreement with my analysis, but the immaturity and emotional defensiveness with which he responded. Rather than addressing the substance of my critiques or providing clarifications, he chose to label me an enemy and shut down communication.
It is disheartening to witness a leader, entrusted with steering the state’s Republican Party, react in such a childlike manner to someone offering thoughtful input. Instead of fostering unity and welcoming perspectives that might sharpen his or the party’s strategy, Williams has demonstrated an unwillingness to engage with even the mildest form of constructive criticism.
Leadership requires resilience. It demands the ability to separate personal emotions from professional responsibilities. The strength of the GOP has always been rooted in its foundation of individual thought, freedom of expression, and intellectual rigor. These values are what once made conservatism compelling, appealing, and enduring.
But Williams’ approach threatens to replace this foundation with an echo chamber where dissent is punished, and loyalty is measured by blind obedience rather than shared principles.
Glaring irony
My articles specifically warned against the dangers of consolidating power and silencing dissent – and Williams’ response inadvertently proved the validity of those warnings. If the proposed bylaw amendments succeed, one must ask: Who else will be treated this way when they dare to question the direction of the party? Who else will be accused of sabotage simply for offering a perspective rooted in concern and a desire to see the GOP thrive?
Williams’ defensive posture also raises larger questions about his fitness to lead. Leadership is not about securing power; it’s about building consensus, inspiring confidence, and navigating disagreement with grace. It’s about surrounding oneself with advisors who offer different viewpoints, not shutting out those who refuse to nod along. It’s about responding to criticism with curiosity, not condemnation.
I hold no malice toward Dave Williams. My disappointment is rooted in the fact that I see potential for him to be a transformative leader if he learns to channel criticism into growth rather than conflict. The GOP desperately needs leaders who can unify rather than divide, who can respond to disagreement with strength and humility rather than insecurity and hostility.
The proposed changes to the Colorado GOP’s bylaws demand scrutiny not because of personal animus, but because they represent a fundamental shift toward centralized authority – authority that Williams has already demonstrated he is prone to misuse. His overreaction to my commentary should give every thoughtful Republican pause. If this is how he behaves now, how will he wield even greater control if these amendments pass?
Colorado Republicans deserve leadership that is confident enough to embrace dissent, wise enough to seek input, and humble enough to admit when improvements can be made. The GOP should be a party that welcomes thought leaders, not expels them. It should be a movement defined by principled debates, not fear-driven attacks.
Dave Williams’ response to my articles has not weakened my resolve – it has strengthened it. It is a reminder of the importance of holding leaders accountable, of speaking truth even when it’s uncomfortable, and of defending the principles of transparency and accountability that define conservatism. If the Colorado GOP is to succeed, it must reject the impulse to centralize power and instead build a coalition that values unity without uniformity and strength without suppression.
Anything less will lead not to victory, but to irrelevance.
Political strategist C. J. Garbo has served as Chairman of the Auraria College Republicans, Chairman of the Douglas County Young Republicans, and District Captain for the Douglas County GOP.
