House Republicans Urge Fort Lewis College to Support Free Expression
(Denver, CO – November 6, 2025) — This morning, members of the Colorado House Republican Caucus sent a letter to Fort Lewis College President Shotton, urging the reconsideration of the recent decision denying formal recognition to a student chapter of Turning Point USA.
The letter read as follows:
Dear President Shotton,
As members of the minority in the Colorado State Capitol, we fight every day to have our voices heard. That is exactly why we believe every student, regardless of ideology, deserves to be heard and included in public campus life.
Collectively, the House Republicans represent just over 2 million Coloradans across the state. Those constituents come from every corner of Colorado, urban, suburban, and rural, and share a belief in the fundamental importance of free expression and open dialogue.
We respectfully ask you to reconsider the recent decision to deny official recognition to the Turning Point USA chapter at Fort Lewis College. Denying students equal access to campus resources based on their viewpoint contradicts the values outlined in your college’s mission. Your commitment to intellectual diversity, inclusive dialogue, and critical thinking should apply to all perspectives, not just the ones that are popular.
We recognize that concerns about campus safety were raised in your deliberations. Ensuring a safe environment for all students is essential, but safety must not be used to suppress lawful expression or prevent the peaceful participation of students in campus life. In our experience, the best way to reduce tension is not by silencing ideas, but by encouraging open discussion and respectful disagreement. Students are resilient. They deserve the opportunity to engage with differing views and learn from the engagement.
Your core values mission states that you value “a diversity of cultures and perspectives as a source of intellectual strength.” That must include political perspectives, too. True inclusion cannot exclude ideological minorities.
We urge you to lead with fairness and principle, and ensure Fort Lewis College remains a place where all students are free to speak, organize, and engage in civil dialogue.
Sincerely,
The Colorado House Republicans
