Heather and Randy Sams sat alone at a folding table Tuesday night, hoping someone else from their rural GOP precinct braved the rain.

“It’d be really nice if we had a room full,” said Heather Sams.

The caucus location had a steady stream of visitors through the night, huddling along a large horseshoe of precinct tables at the El Paso County Public Health Department. Sean Verhoeff, a Fountain city councilmember and party organizer, said the caucus was actually shaping up to be a record year.

“You almost never see six or more per table,” he said.

El Paso County Republicans and Democrats met this week in dozens of venues to kick off the primary process. Caucus is a place to conduct grassroots party business: “Where it all begins,” as Randy Sams puts it.

Caucus meetings are a first step in placing names on the June primary. Party members select delegates to send to assemblies, where they nominate candidates for elections.

Primaries could determine who makes the general election for several Colorado races that will appear on Pikes Peak area ballots. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have contested primaries for governor and the U.S. Senate. Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank has several Democratic challengers in the 5th Congressional District, and some forecasters say the seat will be more competitive this year. And the seat of outgoing Commissioner Holly Williams in the north-central part of the county is up for election, with two Republican candidates so far running in the traditionally red district.

While the assembly process started in this week’s caucuses is one way for candidates to make it onto the primary ballot, many are also gathering petitions.

2026 Caucus info

What: Republicans and Democrats met at precinct caucuses across the state to conduct party business and kick off the nominating process for candidates. Why: Both parties select delegates for higher-level assemblies, including county, congressional district and state. Delegates will decide which candidates make the June 30 primary ballot — statewide, both parties have contested primaries for governor and U.S. senator. There are also primaries in several legislative and congressional districts, as well as county offices. When: Republican caucuses in El Paso County were on Tuesday, March 3. El Paso County Democrats met over three days from Tuesday to Thursday, with different regions of the county meeting on different nights.  Who: Anyone could attend, but only voters who meet certain criteria and are registered with either major party could participate in precinct caucuses. Caucus-goers can participate if they meet residency requirements and register to vote and affiliate before caucuses. What’s next: Delegates chosen at caucus will attend county/district assemblies on March 14 for Democrats and March 21 for Republicans.

At Sand Creek High School Wednesday night, multiple 5th Congressional District candidates made a Democratic Caucus showing as precinct voters filtered in. Congressional candidates Joe Reagan, Zuri Horowitz and Jessica Killin had tables or campaign staff present.

“Democracy takes set up, and conversation, arguing with people and figuring out where you want to go, and that’s caucus in action,” said Horowitz.

Jeff Livingston, a candidate for House District 15, was campaigning at the caucus site with wife Cheryce Livingston. Jeff Livingston received 42% of the vote in 2024 against Republican incumbent Scott Bottoms, who is now a candidate for governor.

“That gave us a lot of hope that we can make a dent this time around,” said Cheryce Livingston.

Among the attendees was a voter named Cindi, a veteran who lives in the 4th Congressional District on the eastern edge of the county. She said she was pulling for Eileen Laubacher to challenge Republican incumbent Lauren Boebert.

Cindi said she felt unrepresented by Boebert and worried about rural issues like health care access, transportation and rising agricultural costs. She recently changed her affiliation from independent to Democrat.

“Rural areas are normally neglected,” she said. “It’s all about the cities.”

Corine Spangler, a Colorado Springs resident, said she was hoping to be a Democratic Party delegate this year. She was pulling for Joe Reagan in the 5th District race and said she was concerned about threats to mail-in voting.

“I don’t want us to lose that right,” she said.

The Fountain Republicans had a variety of candidates for governor to choose from, and caucus attendees expressed enthusiasm over several. The Sams were in favor of Bottoms. Mike Purdy said Victor Marx was his pick.

“He’s a Marine, I’m a Marine,” he said.

Republican Caucus attendees said they were worried about housing affordability, state finances and limitations on law enforcement.

John Moor, an Air Force veteran, said the state’s solid-blue status can be discouraging for Republican voters.

Robert Hagedorn, a Republican precinct leader in Fountain, said the caucus was still an effective grassroots force.

“Our vote counts more than ever at caucus,” he said.