Dear Friend,

When I ran for my first elected office to serve as your Attorney General, I regularly talked about the importance of defending the rule of law. Since then, my commitment and appreciation for its significance has only grown.

The rule of law means enforcing our laws equally and fairly. It is the thread that holds the fabric of our society together.

When an elected District Attorney in the San Luis Valley violated the Colorado Victims’ Rights Act, I conducted a full investigation that led to his resignation. This investigation publicly exposed his violation of the law; ultimately, he was held accountable and forced to resign from office. He was a Democrat who had supported my prior runs for office. That did not matter. What mattered was defending the law, and the victims protected by the law.

On January 6, 2021, our nation faced an attack on the rule of law during the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In response, I led a coalition of 47 State Attorneys General, calling for accountability for all who broke the law and attacked Capitol Police officers. We were of one voice: “As Americans, and as those charged with enforcing the law, we must come together to condemn lawless violence, making clear that such actions will not be allowed to go unchecked.” You can read that letter here.

Despite the crimes committed on January 6, the harm inflicted on police officers, and convictions in our courts of law, President Trump pardoned all who committed insurrection on that day, wiping their records clean of their criminal acts. To say the least, this action does not meet the standard the rest of us in law enforcement set for ourselves and each other. And it’s not how we act in Colorado.

The disregard for the rule of law continues, as shown by this White House’s retaliation against career FBI agents, including the firing of those who worked to hold lawbreakers accountable.

As your Attorney General, I strive every day to apply the law fairly and even-handedly. I have worked with professional prosecutors from both parties, always guided by one core value: following the law and doing what is right and fair to protect the public.

Thank you for supporting me in doing this important work.

Phil