December 30, 2010 07:46 PM UTC

Top Stories of 2010 #5: The Other Big Democratic Win

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• by: Colorado Pols

At the beginning of 2010, there was little to suggest that Democrats in Colorado were better positioned to hold off an anticipated “Republican wave” at all levels than any other state. Some news reports even claimed that Democratic prospects seemed to be falling faster in Colorado than other states, referring to high polled support for the “Tea Party,” and other factors that appeared to forecast the end of Democratic control.

Around the country on election day, Republicans did indeed sweep to power in many states at all levels of government. The GOP took control of numerous state legislatures, flipping the balance of power in a dramatic fashion not seen in American politics since 1966 according to ABC News. This has put the GOP in a very strong position going into the redistricting process next year.

But in Colorado, where Republicans invested a reported $4 million in the campaign to retake the Colorado House, and heavy spending in key state senate races, a very different story emerged. Republicans did pick up enough wins to take control of the Colorado House by a single seat; in a race so close it took weeks after the election to determine the winner. In the Colorado Senate, despite a a determined effort and many incumbent Democrats scraping by on extremely tight margins, only a single net senate seat switched–Democrats held the majority basically unscathed.

Credit for this remarkably successful defense is due to well-organized protect efforts from Democrats in both chambers, but especially in the senate to Sens. Brandon Shaffer and Morgan Carroll. It’s important to recognize the disciplined field efforts that enabled Democrats to identify and correct turnout deficiencies on a micro scale–this, more than any other factor, is why you saw race after race where Democrats prevailed by “a hair.” Until Republicans are able to match the kind of situational awareness, and responsive, efficient GOTV infrastructure Democrats have perfected in recent years, they will continue to get schooled–wave year or not.

With that established, it’s also fair to note that the GOP’s epic recruitment and vetting faceplant in the legislature, which itself made #7 on this year’s top Colorado political stories, did not help.