The American Constitution Party (ACP) is one of the state of Colorado's political parties. It is affiliated with the national-level Constitution Party, a conservative political party in the United States that says it bases most of its policy positions on the Constitution. The party asserts that the US is a Christian nation founded on the Bible and that American jurisprudence should be restored to what the party claims is its "Biblical foundations".Preamble to Constitution Party Platform "The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States. This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions but on a foundation of Christian principles and values. For this very reason peoples of all faiths have been and are afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here. The goal of the Constitution Party is to restore American jurisprudence to its Biblical foundations and to limit the federal government to its Constitutional boundaries." The ACP qualified for major party status in Colorado after receiving more than 36% of the vote in the 2010 gubernatorial election. As the party did not field a candidate in the 2014 election, it reverted to minor party status.

Background

The American Constitution Party registered as a political party with the state of Colorado on July 23, 2000. In July 2013, the ACP had just over 7,000 registered Colorado voters affiliated with it. Some of the party's positions include:

ACP members ... call for the abolition of the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the departments of Education and Energy and the Federal Election Commission. They seek the repeal of a number of laws, including one aimed at preventing threats and force against abortion clinics and women seeking abortions and a 1960s-era law meant to end discriminatory election practices.Jessica Fender, "Tancredo's new party way out in right field" , The Denver Post, July 27, 2010.

For most of its existence, the ACP has existed as one of Colorado's "minor parties", and has never elected one of its candidates to office.

Party platform

The American Constitution Party of Colorado seeks to:

Allow state legislatures, not voters, to pick U.S. senators (i.e., repeal the 17th Amendment) Repeal legislation making it illegal to use force or the threat of force to interfere with a woman seeking an abortion Abolish congressional pensions End the Endangered Species Act Terminate the U.S. Departments of Energy and Education, the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service Ban electronic voting to prevent voter fraud Repeal all federal campaign-finance laws Repeal the Voting Rights Act of 1965 End compulsory public school attendance and promote homeschooling, private schools or religious schools End any domestic federal aid not provided for in the U.S. Constitution, as it is "not only illegal, it is immoral" End foreign aid and participation in multinational groups, such as the United Nations, as well as multinational treaties Retake the Panama Canal for the United States Prevent women from serving in combat as "these 'advances' undermine the integrity, morale and performance of our military organizations" "Cease financing or arming of belligerents in the world's troubled areas" Return to the people all federal lands held by the government without constitutional authorization Revoke the legalization of the union of gay couples in either marriages or civil unions Immediately collect all foreign debts owed to the U.S.

The ACP is affiliated with the national-level Constitution Party, which has developed a party platform as well.

2010 Colorado gubernatorial election

Former Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo ran as the party's candidate for Colorado governor in 2010 after the campaign of Republican Party nominee Dan Maes collapsed politically. He won around 36% of the vote, receiving more than 2.5 times the vote of Republican Party nominee Maes. Democratic candidate John Hickenlooper won the election with just over 51% of the vote.

Context and aftermath Under state law, the American Constitution Party's vote share in the 2010 gubernatorial election elevated the party from "minor" to "major" party status. Any party that earns 10% or more of the votes cast for governor is a defined under statute as a "major party". Major party status gives the party a place at or near the top of the ballot in the 2014 gubernatorial election.

However, because of the additional organizational, financial, and compliance requirements triggered by major party status, ACP leaders were ambivalent about the change.Steven K. Paulson, "ACN Not Relishing Role As Colorado Major Party" , Associated Press, May 8, 2011.]Patricia Calhoun, "American Constitution Party faces major headaches as a major Colorado party" , Westword Magazine blogs; March 6, 2012.

After the election, Tancredo quickly rejoined the Republican Party, disappointing an ACP leadership struggling to contend with major party status and how to successfully leverage the increased attention the party had received because of his candidacy.Peter Marcus, "American Constitution Party feels majorly scorned by Tancredo" , The Colorado Statesman; October 12, 2012

The party effectively relinquished its 'major party' status by the 2014 gubernatorial election, by virtue of not running or fielding a candidate.

Best results in major races +OfficePercent (%)DistrictYearCandidateRefGovernor36.38% Statewide2010Tom Tancredo3.62%1994Kevin Swanson0.86%2022Danielle NeuschwangerUS Senate2.56%2008 Douglass Campbell1.52%20020.89%2004US House4.66%CO 42010Doug Aden4.30%CO 52012Kenneth R. Harvell3.78%CO 42000Leslie HanksState senate15.19%SD 122012James Michael Bristol9.51% SD 10Christopher Mull5.08%SD 312010Clifton PowellState house15.91% HD 21 2012Sean Halstead 13.86%HD 16David Rawe11.50%HD 15Michael Edstrom

Recent electoral history

Although the American Constitution Party's political and organizational sophistication did not grow despite the attention brought to it by Tancredo's 2010 gubernatorial candidacy, the party fielded more candidates in the 2010 and 2012 cycles than it had in the entirety of the previous decade.

In the 2022 elections, the party fielded candidates in races for US House, in Districts 2, 4 and 5, as well as in statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and in District 8 for the Board of Education. All were unsuccessful, recording less than 1% of the vote in most of these races.

In the 2026 elections, the party fielded Sean Pond, a previous Republican candidate, as a candidate for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat.

+ Candidates fielded 2002–2014 Election Year Office Name 2014 Adams County Sheriff James Fariello 2014 Mesa County Assessor Steve Henderson 2013 Steamboat Springs School Board Joseph Andrew 2012 Adams County Commissioner James Fariello 2012 Colorado House, District 14 Ryan Dyer 2012 Colorado House, District 14 Thomas O'dell 2012 Colorado House, District 15 Michael Edstrom 2012 Colorado House, District 16 David Rawe 2012 Colorado House, District 17 Barry Pace 2012 Colorado House, District 18 Amy Fedde 2012 Colorado House, District 19 Timothy Biolchini 2012 Colorado House, District 20 Donna Burdick 2012 Colorado House, District 21 Sean Halstead 2012 Colorado House, District 61 Robert Petrowsky 2012 Colorado Senate, District 10 Christopher Mull 2012 Colorado Senate, District 12 James Bristol 2012 CU Regent, At-Large Tyler Belmont 2012 CU Regent, At-Large Brian Scott 2012 CU Regent, District 5 Gina Biolchini 2012 El Paso County Commissioner Kathy Payne 2010 Adams County Sheriff James Fariello 2010 Colorado Senate, District 31 Clifton Powell 2010 Governor Benjamin Goss 2010 Governor Tom Tancredo 2010 Lt. Governor Patricia Miller 2010 Motezuma County Sheriff Gerald Wallace 2010 Secretary of State Amanda Campbell 2008 Colorado House, District 27 Amanda Campbell 2008 Colorado House, District 37 Brian Olds 2008 Park County Commissioner Zdenko Novkovic 2006 Colorado House, District 53 Darren Morrison 2006 Colorado Senate, District 16 Tim Leonard 2006 CU Regent, At-Large Douglas "Dayhorse" Campbell 2006 Governor Clyde Harkins 2006 La Plata County Commissioner Padraig Lynch 2006 Lt. Governor Tracy Davison 2002 Attorney General Gaar Potter 2002 Colorado House Paul Berthelot 2002 Colorado House, District 57 Dr. Zane Newitt 2002 Lt. Governor Desiree Hickson

See also Politics of Colorado Electoral history of the Constitution Party List of state Constitution Parties

References

External links American Constitution Party (Colorado) Constitution Party 2012 National Platform The Castle Report - News and Commentary from a Constitutionist Perspective National Veterans Coalition Home Front with Cynthia Davis - Taking Back America One Family at A Time American Constitution Party of Colorado at Ballotpedia