Constitutional Rights | Chris Richardson | Colorado House District 56 

"The Constitution does not grant our rights, it protects rights we already possess. My oath is not to a political party or ideology. It is to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Colorado." 

Learn how Representative Chris Richardson is working to defend the constitutional rights of every Coloradan, including the freedoms protected by the First and Second Amendments, due process, religious liberty, private property, and equal justice under the law. 

Liberty Is Never Self-Sustaining

Every January, members of the Colorado House of Representatives stand together and take an oath.

It is a short oath. But it carries extraordinary weight. We do not swear allegiance to a governor. A political party. A legislative majority. Or a particular policy agenda.

We swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado.

That oath guides every vote I cast. It reminds me that elected officials are not the source of our rights.

We are temporary stewards of a constitutional system deliberately designed to limit government power while protecting individual liberty.

The Constitution exists precisely because government, even well-intentioned government, can overreach. Our founders understood that freedom depends upon limits.

That understanding remains just as important today as it was nearly 250 years ago.

Why Constitutional Rights Matter

Constitutional rights belong to every Coloradan. Not just those who agree with us. Not just those whose opinions are popular. Not just those who vote the same way we do. The true test of constitutional government is whether we protect the rights of people with whom we disagree.

Free speech matters because unpopular speech exists.

Religious liberty matters because government should not decide what citizens believe.

Due process matters because accusations are not convictions.

The right to keep and bear arms matters because self-defense is a fundamental human right.

Private property matters because ownership creates independence.

Equal protection matters because justice should never depend upon wealth, race, politics, religion, or geography.

Constitutional rights are not rewards for good behavior.

They are protections against excessive government power.

My Principles

The Constitution Is the Standard

Every bill deserves more than a policy discussion. It deserves a constitutional discussion.

Before asking whether legislation is well-intentioned, lawmakers should first ask: Is it constitutional?

Good intentions cannot justify unconstitutional government action. History repeatedly demonstrates that liberty is often lost gradually through policies adopted for seemingly worthwhile purposes.

That is why constitutional analysis must always come first.

Rights Belong to Individuals

Our constitutional system begins with the individual.

Government exists to secure rights, not create them. And certainly not to abuse them.

The Constitution recognizes freedoms that belong equally to every citizen. Those rights do not depend upon:

• political affiliation;

• occupation;

• income;

• religion;

• ethnicity;

• where someone lives;

• or whether government approves of their opinions.

Equal liberty is one of America's greatest principles.

Limited Government Protects Freedom

The Constitution intentionally divides power. 

Federal. State. Local. Legislative. Executive. Judicial. Each branch limits the others.

That system sometimes appears inefficient. It was designed that way.

Concentrated power has always posed greater risks than deliberate decision-making.

Checks and balances protect liberty by preventing any single institution from exercising unchecked authority.

The First Amendment

The First Amendment protects:

• freedom of speech;

• freedom of religion;

• freedom of the press;

• peaceful assembly;

• and the right to petition government.

These freedoms form the foundation of representative government. Public officials should welcome disagreement. Criticism is not a threat to democracy. It is evidence that democracy is functioning.

Government should never pressure citizens to adopt preferred viewpoints or punish lawful expression simply because it is controversial. The proper response to speech we dislike is more speech, not government censorship.

Likewise, religious liberty protects both the freedom to practice one's faith and the freedom not to practice any faith at all.

Government should neither establish religion nor interfere with its peaceful exercise.

The Second Amendment

The right to keep and bear arms is recognized in both the United States and Colorado Constitutions. It is the last check on tyranical government.

For many families in House District 56, firearm ownership is an ordinary part of daily life. Firearms are used for:

• hunting;

• ranching;

• predator control;

• competitive shooting;

• collecting;

• and, most importantly, lawful self-defense.

Responsible firearm ownership has long been part of Colorado's culture. I believe government should focus its efforts on criminals who misuse firearms, not on law-abiding citizens who have done nothing wrong.

Throughout my time in the legislature, I have consistently opposed legislation that places additional burdens on law-abiding gun owners while doing little to address violent offenders. Constitutional rights should not become increasingly difficult to exercise through layers of bureaucracy, fees, or administrative barriers. 

Public safety and constitutional liberty can, and must, coexist.

Due Process

Every person accused of wrongdoing deserves due process. That principle protects everyone. Government should never presume guilt before evidence is presented. Citizens deserve:

• notice of accusations;

• an opportunity to be heard;

• impartial decision-makers;

• and equal treatment under the law.

Procedural fairness is not a technicality. It is one of the defining characteristics of a free society.

Government should never bypass constitutional protections simply because doing so appears more convenient.

Private Property Rights

Property rights are among our oldest constitutional protections.

Families invest their savings, labor, and dreams into homes, ranches, farms, and businesses. Government should respect those investments.

Private property should not be taken, restricted, or substantially impaired without due process and just compensation.

This issue is particularly important in eastern Colorado, where agriculture, utility infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and transportation improvements increasingly intersect.

Statewide projects should never ignore the rights of individual landowners.

I have consistently advocated for stronger protections for property owners and greater local participation in major infrastructure decisions.

Privacy

Technology has dramatically expanded government's ability to collect information.

Constitutional protections must evolve accordingly. Citizens deserve reasonable expectations of privacy regarding their personal information, financial records, communications, and homes. Government should demonstrate clear legal authority before intruding upon private life.

Liberty requires both transparency in government and privacy for citizens.

Those principles complement, not contradict, one another.

Equal Treatment Under the Law

Justice should never depend upon politics. Every Coloradan deserves equal treatment. The law should be applied consistently. Selective enforcement undermines confidence in government.

Likewise, laws should be written clearly enough that ordinary citizens understand what is expected of them.

Complex, contradictory, or constantly changing laws weaken respect for the legal system.

Civic Responsibility

Rights and responsibilities go together. The Constitution protects extraordinary freedoms. Citizens strengthen those freedoms through:

• voting;

• jury service;

• military service;

• community involvement;

• respecting the rights of others;

• and participating in civil society.

Liberty survives when citizens remain engaged. Our constitutional republic depends upon informed, responsible, and active citizens.

My Record

Every legislative session presents bills raising constitutional questions. Throughout my service, I have consistently evaluated legislation through the lens of my oath of office. My work has included:

• defending Second Amendment rights;

• protecting parental rights;

• supporting religious liberty;

• opposing legislation raising significant due process concerns;

• defending private property rights;

• protecting local self-government;

• supporting free speech and open public debate;

• advocating for constitutional accountability in government.

One of the amendments I have been most proud to offer simply reminded legislators of something fundamental: Our oath matters.

Constitutional government is not an obstacle to good policy. It is the framework that makes good policy possible.

A Better Direction for Colorado

Colorado should continue strengthening constitutional government by:

• protecting free speech;

• defending religious liberty;

• safeguarding the Second Amendment;

• preserving due process;

• protecting private property;

• strengthening transparency;

• respecting local government;

• limiting unnecessary government expansion;

• promoting equal justice;

• and ensuring every law is evaluated for constitutional consistency before it is enacted.

Our Constitution has endured because it recognizes timeless principles rather than temporary political trends. Those principles deserve faithful application today.

My Priorities

• Protect the Constitution

• Defend the Bill of Rights

• Protect Second Amendment rights

• Preserve free speech

• Defend religious liberty

• Protect due process

• Strengthen private property rights

• Respect privacy

• Promote equal justice

• Uphold the oath of office

Related Issues

• Public Safety

• Local Control

• Parents & Education

• Taxpayer Protection & TABOR

• Agriculture & Rural Colorado

Closing

The Constitution is not simply a historical document displayed behind glass. It is the operating manual for American self-government. It protects individual freedom while limiting government power. It has guided our nation through war, economic hardship, political disagreement, and extraordinary technological change because its principles are rooted in human liberty rather than political convenience.

Every generation has the responsibility to preserve those principles for the next.

As your State Representative, I will continue measuring every proposal against the oath I took—not against partisan pressure or the political issue of the day. My responsibility is not merely to pass laws. It is to ensure that the laws we pass remain worthy of the constitutional republic they are intended to serve.