Third party candidates take root...

Third party candidates in Colorado are galvanized by grassroots efforts permeating the country this election season.

A large number of so-called alternative candidates have joined a mix of Republicans trying to unseat Democrats by capitalizing on the pulsing tea party movement and a growing number of unaffiliated voters.
The Libertarian Party, for instance, trumpets eleven candidates in Colorado for U.S. senate, congress and governor. The Unity Party of America follows with four candidates, the Green Party has two, and the American Constitution Party has one in the state. Half a dozen independent candidates are also running in 2010.

The Libertarian Party emerged from its state convention on March 20 with the most candidates it has ever fielded in federal races, according to state party chair David Williams Jr. The party will hold primaries in three races — marking the first time Colorado Libertarians will require multiple primaries.

“That’s just indicative of the people’s mood and displeasure with the two party system,” Williams said. “We’ll use the opportunity to educate as many people as possible about the alternative to the two party duopoly that more and more represents big government.

“I think we’ll do historically well in this upcoming election,” he said.

Libertarian primaries will be held in the U.S. senate race between Maclyn Stringer and John Finger, in the gubernatorial race between Jaimes Brown and Dan “Kilo” Sallis, and in the CD 1 race between Clint Jones and Jeffrey Schitter. Five candidates are running unopposed: Curtis Harris in CD 2, Gregory Gilman in CD 3, Jerell Klaver in CD 5, Rob McNealy in CD 6 and Buck Bailey in CD 7.
State primaries will be held Aug. 10.

Unity Party to field three candidates

The Unity Party, established in 2004 as a centrist organization advocating system-wide tax cuts, a balanced budget, and carbon-free energy sources, also inches toward historical achievements. Following 2008 when state and national party chairman Bill Hammons became the first member to get on the ballot, the Unity Party will hold its first national convention in Boulder April 17. Unity membership covers 26 states.

http://www.coloradostatesman.com/content/991746-third-party-candidates-take-root