It's a mighty big tent

But it's going to get a little smaller in Colorado:

El Paso County’s GOP chairman has asked 13 party officials to resign because they publicly supported a write-in candidate over Republican Douglas Bruce in the November election.

The officials, who include Colorado Springs City Councilmen Jerry Heimlicher and Tom Gallagher and well-known activists Jan Doran and Mary Ellen McNally, have until Dec. 30 to give up their posts voluntarily. If they do not, the party will begin hearings to consider removing them from party positions. Most hold precinct committee jobs.

This rare action comes after a fractious primary for the District 2 El Paso County Commission seat between Bruce and City Councilwoman Margaret Radford. After Bruce won, Republican Bob Null said he would run as a write-in candidate and received support from a number of officials.

Party by-laws state committee members and other officials can be removed for “public support for any candidate opposing the Republican nominee in a general election.” County GOP chairman Lee Gilbert said that because their names were listed in ads run by Null, it is clear they broke the rules.