Hope Scheppelman's Response to False Claims by the New Colorado GOP Officers

Since Darrel Lee Phelan chose to delete my response exposing the truth behind his false claim that the previous administration “blocked assets,” I am now compelled to set the record straight. I am tagging Brita Horn and the Colorado GOP, also.

With full permission from Tom Bjorklund, I am releasing the relevant text messages that directly refute his accusation. The facts matter, and I will not allow misinformation to go unchecked or manipulated to serve a false narrative.

Transparency and accountability are not optional; they are the foundation of honest leadership.

Formal Statement to Vice Chair Darrel Lee Phelan

Re: False Public Statements, Misrepresentation of Transition, and Clarification of Events

Dear Darrel,

Given your decision to publish an inflammatory and misleading public statement, riddled with falsehoods, ad hominem attacks, and selective omissions, I feel compelled to respond. This is not a matter of ego, but of truth, accountability, and respect for the dedicated individuals who served in the previous administration. It is also a defense of the integrity of the Colorado Republican Party.

1. Direct Communication Did Occur

On the morning of the State Organizational Meeting, I approached both you and Danielle Neuschwanger. I handed each of you my official Colorado GOP business card, clearly listing my phone number and both email addresses. I offered my congratulations and stated, in front of witnesses:

“No matter who wins, let me know if you need assistance.”

Following that, I chatted briefly with Danielle about her boys’ football camp. Your claim that there was “no verifiable communication” is not only false, it is easily disproven by those present at the time.

On Sunday, March 30, while returning home to Bayfield, Colorado, I called both you and Brita Horn and left voicemails. I informed you that Tom Bjorklund nor I (for I live six hours away) would not be in the office on Monday, I offered our support if needed, and reiterated our willingness to assist. This was followed by an email sent on Monday, March 31, to both chairperson@lacgop.org and your official GOP email account, accounts our team set up for you, Brita, and Russ as a courtesy, something not extended to us by the prior administration.

The suggestion that you were ignored or that communication did not occur is unequivocally false.

2. The Transition and the “White Book”

Your assertion that the transition materials, specifically the “white book”, were only surrendered through legal intervention is misleading and untrue.

On Tuesday, April 1, Steve Klenda, attorney for the State Party, left a voicemail for Tom Bjorklund requesting a time to arrange courier pickup of the manual. Tom, who was running party-related errands that day (including depositing post-event funds), texted Steve:

“Hey Steve. I got your message. I’m running errands today. Sorry I have been busy. Do you want me to drop the manual off somewhere?”

Steve replied the next morning at 9:11 a.m.:

“Yes, please. I am working from home today near downtown Denver. If you could drop it at my place, I’ll get it to Brita/whoever should have it.”

Tom met Steve at his home and asked whether he was now the point of contact for the GOP. Steve said no, and confirmed Brita was still the appropriate contact. Tom, not having Brita’s contact information, requested it from Steve, who provided it. Tom then called Brita and left a message requesting her permission to hand off the manual. Brita responded via text with a single word: “Yes.”

That handoff occurred on Wednesday, April 2. At that point, you and your team already had full access to:

• Mailchimp the State GOP mass email system and GOP email accounts,

• The Colorado GOP website and social media accounts (X, Facebook),

• Login credentials, vendor contacts, operational overviews, and

• All relevant administrative documents and transition materials.

Your version of events, stating attorneys were required to "secure" the manual, is factually incorrect and designed to mislead.

Further, at the April 7 JeffCo Men’s Club meeting, Brita Horn misrepresented these events publicly. Former U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo stood and corrected her, confirming:

• Tom Bjorklund did contact Brita;

• She never returned his call, only sent a brief “yes” text;

• Tom was working directly with Steve Klenda to ensure a responsible transition.

And Darrel, who exactly did you coordinate your March 31 “office visit” with? It wasn’t me. It wasn’t Chairman Dave Williams, Anna Ferguson, or Tom Bjorklund. If you simply showed up without confirming and didn’t even ring the doorbell (which has a Ring camera), you can hardly claim a lack of cooperation.

3. Social Media and Digital Assets

Your claim that digital assets were withheld is false. By Wednesday, April 2, your media consultant, Alec Hanna (Dark Horse Campaign) had full administrative access to the Colorado GOP Facebook page and has been posting content since. You had access to all official platforms and tools necessary to lead.

We shared professional photos from the Centennial Dinner, a sold-out event featuring Stephen K. Bannon that honored America First values and celebrated the accomplishments of our outgoing team, as well as a farewell note on Monday, March 31st. That event also raised essential funds for the incoming leadership team. Despite that, you and others in your camp declined to attend and even scheduled a conflicting event.

You speak of unity, yet that’s not how unity looks.

4. Dereliction of Duty

Let’s be clear: you left for vacation in Japan during the first week of the transition, the most crucial time of your new administration. While you are still away, you chose to issue public accusations rather than seek the truth. If anyone has shown dereliction of duty, it’s not the prior team, it’s you.

5. Tone, Conduct, and Leadership

Your public statement reflects a tone that is juvenile and unbecoming of your office. Calling people irrelevant, referring to their work as a “circus,” and mischaracterizing their motives does not serve unity; it fuels division.

I remain committed to fulfilling my promise to Colorado Republicans. While I no longer serve as Vice Chairwoman, I continue to engage: speaking out on social media, testifying at the Capitol, sending critical updates in video form, and fighting against the radical Democrat agenda this legislative session.

What’s deeply concerning is the silence from the current leadership. Under the previous administration, we regularly informed the grassroots about harmful legislation, how to testify, and what was happening at the Capitol. That level of engagement is now absent. Our base deserves better. Silence is not leadership.

Also worth noting: the Centennial Dinner received multiple credible threats from ANTIFA. We proceeded with professionalism and precaution. Following that, taking a brief, communicated break is not abandonment; it’s responsible leadership after months of intense service.

6. On Unity and Moving Forward

You say you want unity, yet your actions tell another story. Sidelining those who served before you, misrepresenting events, and sowing distrust among the grassroots does not unify; it divides.

You were given every tool, every asset, and every opportunity. If you or your team failed to take advantage of them, that is not a failure of the previous administration.

We will continue telling the truth. We will continue defending those who served honorably. And we will continue standing with the grassroots.

Respectfully,

Hope Scheppelman

Former Vice Chairwoman

Colorado Republican Party