DENVER — Republican Congressman Mike Coffman has scheduled his first town hall meeting since beginning his new term in January.
The event, which is expected to be contentious given the current political times, is set for April 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Education Building 2 South on the University of Colorado Anschutz Campus in Aurora.
Tickets are being distributed to citizens in his district. Photo IDs will be checked at the event, ensuring those attending live in the district.
Other rules include no yelling, no large banners, no weapons, no standing in aisles and no blocking of entrances and exits.
“Given the interest in our event throughout the greater metropolitan area, our town hall procedures are in place to prioritize district residents’ access to the event,” Coffman spokesman Daniel Bucheli said in an email.
Still, some are not happy about it.
“It’s a fake town hall in the sense it’s screened, it’s staged, it’s choreographed,” said Morgan Carroll, chair of the state Democratic Party.
Carroll, who lost to Coffman in November, fears Democrats will not be given a ticket because Coffman’s team could cross reference voter information with names given.
“I believe a lot of people who want to talk to their congressman will be screened out. I do think a good deal of them will be Democrats,” Carroll said.
FOX31 GOP analyst Ryan Frazier said Republicans are being very careful in this charged political time.
“I think him and his team and Republicans in general have a real concern about these town halls being hijacked by a part of the electorate, a more progressive side of the electorate, that is very upset right now,” Frazier said.