Presidential primary revival falls apart in Colorado

Bipartisan efforts to revive presidential primaries in Colorado have failed – for now.

Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature could not agree on how to revive a statewide primary instead of precinct caucuses in 2020. With a deadline looming Tuesday, talks broke down on two separate plans to bring back primaries.

The legislative stalemate means that Coloradans could see a ballot measure this fall asking about bringing back the primaries, at a cost of about $5 million.

Democrats and Republicans both talked about a primary vote after the parties saw voter dissatisfaction with the harried March 1 caucuses.

But officials were unable to agree on whether to make it easier for voters who don’t belong to either party to participate.

Colorado’s unaffiliated voters now outnumber Democrats and Republicans.