The Denver Gazette reports that Colorado House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell fired off a letter to Speaker Julie McCluskie and Majority Leader Monica Duran after some Democrats posted sneering reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Caldwell demanded the House reaffirm nonviolent civil discourse and apply its own standards consistently, not just when it is politically convenient.
He cited examples. Rep. Lorena Garcia called Kirk a “hateful, vile, bigoted women-hating, anti-Black, white Christian nationalist.” Rep. Steven Woodrow labeled him “pretty awful,” “hateful,” and “a fascist,” then mused that nobody should be surprised if future attacks are met with “mirrored coldness.” Caldwell called this demeaning and asked leaders to have the posts removed and to review a state employee’s profane commentary. The Democrats officially condemned the shooting the day it happened, and McCluskie later issued a separate statement denouncing political violence in any form, but their letter did not address Caldwell’s specific takedown requests.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Caldwell is not playacting. He put leadership on notice to condemn demeaning conduct and to do it across the board, not only when the target has an R by his name.
- Receipts attached: Garcia’s “hateful, vile, bigoted… white Christian nationalist” broadside and Woodrow’s “fascist” plus “mirrored coldness” gem. That is not sorrow. That is spite.
- Caldwell asked McCluskie and Duran to make members pull their posts and to loop in HR over an employee’s profane comments. Leadership said violence is bad. Specifics left on read.
- He pointed to House Resolution 25B-1001, which passed 59–2, promising dignity and respect and no personal attacks. Funny how rules get flexible the minute Twitter opens.
- Fact set on Kirk: assassinated Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors say the suspect shot from a rooftop. Motive not officially determined, though a text reads, “I had enough of his hatred.”
My Bottom Line
Jarvis Caldwell is exactly the guy for this moment. He is whip smart, reasoned, and clear thinking, the opposite of the dopamine-chasing flamethrowers that mistake X for a governing philosophy. I got to know Jarvis a bit when he worked in the House minority office with my friend Hugh McKean. The man does principle with precision. He is the perfect leader for the Colorado House Republicans, and yes, he can lead in a Charlie Kirk fashion, which means clarity, courage, and a plan that outlasts a news cycle. Democrats mouthed the right words about condemning violence. Good. Now live your own rules and clean up the sewage your members dumped online. If “nonviolent civil discourse” means anything, it applies when you loathe the victim. Caldwell just forced that conversation, and that is leadership.
