DENVER — Two elected officials representing a hefty swath of the Front Range are teaming up with a Colorado radio host because they say they have had enough of rogue judges releasing violent criminals onto the streets, only to repeat offend.
Their desire to change that trajectory led them to form a new non-profit educational group aimed at shining a light on those they believe need to move on from the bench.
Conservative talk show host Jeff Hunt, State Rep. Dan Woog (R-Frederick), and 4th Congressional District CU Regent Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch), have joined forces to form Law and Order Action, which they say is “dedicated to holding pro-crime judges, district attorneys and lawmakers accountable.”
Woog’s legislative district covers a chunk of the I-25 corridor between the northern metro Denver area and Longmont, while McNulty’s district runs from Fort Collins to Douglas County, including a huge chunk of eastern Colorado. Hunt is co-host of “The Jeff and Bill Show” on 710 KNUS.
Crime weary
The men say that Colorado is ranked No. 2 in the nation for most dangerous and point to several examples where DAs chose reduced charges, judges gave inappropriately light sentences or lawmakers enacted new legislation that tied the hands of law enforcement.
They acknowledge that there are many judges who have no interest in being soft on crime and who do the jobs they are appointed to do but are constrained by laws that restrict sentencing, pre-trial confinement or both.
“So many of these judges go unscathed,” Woog said. “And so many of them are making horrendous releases when they shouldn’t be. But no one knows. And then you add to that some bad DAs and some pro-crime legislators to that.”
Woog, who is listed as the president of the organization, got involved because he was looking for a way to offset the damage done by the legislature, he said.
It started last spring when he began meeting with people that he knew in politics who felt the same way he did, Woog said. They bounced the idea around for awhile and then it seemed to get forgotten until a few months ago when Hunt called him up and asked if he was ready to go.
“I’m big on law enforcement,” Woog said, adding several of his family members have been police officers.
McNulty leads the policy side of the group, while Hunt handles the communications.
Judging the judges
The three said there are activist judges that put dangerous criminals back out on the street, despite the efforts of those DAs that want to prosecute and law enforcement that want to make the arrests. They are also concerned that the time and energy that goes into researching good versus bad judges makes it nearly impossible for voters to connect the dots when it comes time for retention elections.
Yet, while educating voters is their main focus, they said that in the end, they have to get that information to enough people to make a difference.
The group also plans to have an Independent Expenditure Committee to be able to campaign, but it has not been filed yet. In the meantime, the focus is on education about the organization and its goals in order to launch a successful crowd-source funding model.
“I think the No. 1 thing for all of us is, let’s get the judges — let’s hold their feet to the fire,” Woog said. “They have had no pressure. Most of us in the legislature have constituents call us when the ballots go out and (ask how to vote). And sadly, quite often, I don’t know. So, there is going to be focus on getting someone to do research on judges and cases.”
Woog said Coloradans deserve an honest look about just how bad crime in Colorado really is.
“I think people need to be aware of just how high crime is, and the drug use, and what’s going on throughout the state,” he said. “That is only going to grow if we are not actually doing something about it. Not everyone has experienced it, but it’s here.”
