The Democrat Party is not one party. All of these organizations operate as independant, but aligned, organizations. When it comes to money and volunteers to fund and operate, the Colorado Democratic Party and The JeffCo Dems stand alone.
The Democratic National Committee is, well, the national organization. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the formal governing body for the United States Democratic Party. The committee coordinates strategy to support Democratic Party candidates throughout the country for local, state, and national office. It organizes the Democratic National Convention held every four years to nominate and confirm a candidate for president, and to formulate the party platform. While it provides support for party candidates, it does not have direct authority over elected officials.
The DNC is composed of the chairs and vice-chairs of each state
Democratic Party committee and more than 200 members elected by Democrats in all 50 states and the territories. Its chair is elected by the committee. It conducts fundraising to support its activities.
The DNC was established at the 1848 Democratic National Convention. The DNC's main counterpart is the Republican National Committee.
The Colorado Democratic Party (CDP) is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Colorado. Its Chair is Morgan Carroll. The remaining officers are: First Vice Chair: [Vacant}; Secretary: Bob Seay; Treasurer: Rita Simas; Second Vice Chair: Patricia Shaver; Deputy Second Vice Chair: Manny Rodriguez.
The governing body of the party is the State Central Committee, which consists of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party in each of Colorado's 64 counties, and "bonus" members for larger counties.
Elections
Elections for State Officers are held each odd number year in March, so are about four weeks after JeffCo Dems' Reorg.
Budget
The Projected 2019 CDP budget is $800,000. Of this, about $437,000 is expected to come from individual donations to CDP, $150,000 from the annual Obama Dinner fund raiser in March, and $239,000 from the DNC ($162,00) and other miscellaneous events.
Only the CDP Chair, Ms. Carroll ($100,000 a year), and a half dozen office staff (total of $440,000) a year, are paid (none of the other officers are paid).
Jefferson County Democrats (JeffCo Dems)
WebsiteHey! This is us! The Jefferson County, Colorado Democratic Party (JeffCo Dems or JDP) is one of 64 county parties in Colorado. The County Party is where the real work gets done. Our current chair is Cheryl Cheney; Vice Chair: Jeremey Rodriguez; Treasurer: John Fahey; Secretary: Ellie Cabell; Second Vice Chair: John R. (Grizz) Deal; and Assistant Secretary Jan Magid.
Elections
(See also Get Elected, below)
Elections for County Officers are (by Colorado law) held from 1 to 15 February in each odd year (including 2019…so coming up fast). See the diagram above to see all of the other County positions. All are elected except the chairs of the five Initiatives, who are appointed by the JeffCo Dems Chair.
Budget
The JeffCo Dems run on a shoestring. NO ONE in the county party leadership is paid. JDP runs on about $75,000 per year. Of that about half comes from fund raising events and the other half from individual donations. No money comes from the Colorado Democratic Party nor the Democratic National Committee to pay to run JeffCo Dems. During election years, JeffCo Dems’ candidates may receive donations from the State and National Party for their candidacy.
About half of the JeffCo Dems’ annual budget is spent on office rent and general expenses, and the other half is spent (during election years) on JeffCo candidates elections.
Get Elected!
Only members of the County Central Committee can vote during Reorganization in February of every odd-numbered year…BUT ANY REGISTERD DEOMCRAT CAN RUN FOR JDP LEADERSHIP and thus become a member of the Central and/or Executive Committee going forward for two years.
If you have ever had the inclination to get involved in running the JeffCo Dems…THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!
Here’s how to run for a position in the Jefferson County Democratic Party: You must submit written notice to the County Chair of your intention to run 10 days prior to the date of Re-Org. (again, held from 1 to 15 February of each odd-numbered year, including 2019. There are occations when the rules are suspended and nominations are taken from the floor.
During Reorg on Saturday 2 February 2019, elections for the following will be held:
• County Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Second Vice Chair, and Assistant Secretary
• House District Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Captains
• Senate District Officers*: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary
What about PCPs?
Precinct Committee People (PCPs), by Colorado Law, are elected at Caucus on the first Tuesday in February of Presidential election years and the third Tuesday in March of non-presidential even-numbered years. PCPs are the local Party community representative. Being a PCP is a serious volunteer position that requires a few hours each week. PCPs are the heart of the Party.
Central & Executive Committees
(From the JDP Handbook)
County Central Committee
Volunteers and elected officials make up the County Central Committee. Specifically, the Central Committee consists of the following registered Democrats residing in JeffCo:
• PCPs: Precinct Committee People
• House District Officers, Captains, and Co-Captains
• Senate District Officers
• County party officers and appointed Captains-at-Large
• Democrats elected to office at the county, state, and national level.
The County Central Committee meets at least twice per year. It is the governing body of the party and has the ultimate authority to resolve all disputes. The Central Committee designates the time and place of all county assemblies and conventions. This group also adopts the county’s delegate selection plan for state assemblies and conventions.
In February of odd numbers years, the County Central Committee meets to reorganize the county party by electing new party officers (Reorg). At the same time, Central Committee members of House and Senate Districts elect their organizations’ officers.
County Executive Committee
The County Executive Committee meets at least twice per year to approve the organization’s budget and perform duties such as setting times and places for assemblies and conventions. Members of the County Executive Committee are:
• County Officers
• House and Senate District Officers
• House District Captains and appointed Captains-at-Large
• All elected registered Democratic Party public officials who are also members of the Central Committee.
