Bruce Circus Rolls into Colorado Statehouse

By Richard Martin, 1-14-08

In case you thought that recent sessions of the Colorado State Legislature have not been entertaining enough, you can take heart: the arrival of Colorado Springs Republican Douglas Bruce is already providing some theatrics.

Bruce, who credits himself with authoring the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (which hamstrung state government until its more drastic provisions were scaled back by Ref. C two years ago), has demanded a full House audience for his swearing in – bucking the tradition of new lawmakers who are filling vacancies taking their oath in private ceremonies.

Demanding to be sworn in during a full House session, Bruce also wants 90 seconds “to speak to MY NEW COLLEAGUES (not to an empty chamber).”

Bruce, who has made a career of pissing off established politicians with outlandish resolutions for constitutional amendments, is among the few state legislators who have sparked a rules-change before even taking office. House leaders from both parties last week established new limits on the number of amendment-resolutions lawmakers are allowed to propose. The new “Bruce Rule” will keep that number to two.

Bruce is already famous in his native Colorado Springs for his obstreperousness and his opposition to taxes of any kind. In 2006, during the local fight over a Bruce-proposed amendment, El Paso County Attorney Bill Louis called him a “narcissist,” “sociopath,” and a “crackpot.”

“Bruce will be an absolute disaster for the GOP once he arrives at the State Capitol,” comment Colorado Pols, “because his looney antics will suck all of the press coverage up for himself.”