Kevin Grantham

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Kevin Grantham

|image = Kevin Grantham.JPG

|office = Member of the
Fremont County, Colorado County Commission
from the 1st district

|term_start = January 12, 2021

|term_end =

|predecessor =

|successor =

|office2 = President of the Colorado Senate

|term_start2 = January 11, 2017

|term_end2 = January 4, 2019

|predecessor2 = Bill Cadman

|successor2 = Leroy Garcia

|state_senate3 = Colorado

|district3 = 2nd

|term_start3 = January 12, 2011

|term_end3 = January 4, 2019

|predecessor3 = Ken Kester

|successor3 = Dennis Hisey

|birth_name =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|6|29}}

|birth_place = Ordway, Colorado, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Republican

|spouse = Caroline

|children = 2

|education = Liberty University (BA)

|signature =

}}

Kevin Grantham (born June 29, 1970) is an American politician who serves on the county commission of Fremont County, Colorado. He served in the Colorado Senate from the 2nd district as a member of the Republican Party from 2011 to 2019. He served as president of the state senate during his tenure.

Grantham was born in Ordway, Colorado, and educated at Liberty University. His father had been the chair of the Crowley County Republican Party and his son later served as a county clerk and recorder. He served on the board of adjustments and city council in Cañon City before he was elected to the state senate.

He served as the chair of the Appropriations committee in the state senate. He served as the Republican caucus whip and later as president of the state senate. Grantham was criticized for his handling of sexual harassment allegations during his tenure as president. He was elected to the Fremont County Commission after leaving the state senate.

Early life and education

Kevin Grantham was born in Ordway, Colorado. His father served as the chair of the Republican Party in Crowley County, Colorado. He graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. He married Caroline, with whom he had two children. His son, Justin, serves as the county clerk and recorder in Fremont County.{{Cite news |date=November 14, 2019 |title=Kevin Grantham announces candidacy for Fremont County Commissioner |work=Canon City Daily Record |url=https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2019/11/14/kevin-grantham-announces-candidacy-for-fremont-county-commissioner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110131944/https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2019/11/14/kevin-grantham-announces-candidacy-for-fremont-county-commissioner/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}{{Cite news |title=Meet the Commissioners Kevin Grantham |work=Canon City Daily Record |url=https://www.fremontco.com/commissioners/meet-commissioners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110132537/https://www.fremontco.com/commissioners/meet-commissioners|archive-date=January 10, 2022}}{{Cite news |date=December 30, 2016 |title=From boyhood to top senator, Grantham grew up in politics |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/from-boyhood-to-top-senator-grantham-grew-up-in-politics/article_1d542a88-03bc-5f53-ab2c-df37babcf354.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110143217/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/from-boyhood-to-top-senator-grantham-grew-up-in-politics/article_1d542a88-03bc-5f53-ab2c-df37babcf354.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}

Career

=Colorado Senate=

==Elections==

Grantham defeated Matt Heimerich in the 2010 Republican primary for a seat in the Colorado Senate from the 2nd district, and won against Democratic nominee Gloria Stultz in the general election.{{Cite news |title=Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2010 Primary 2010 General |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106161558/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |archive-date=November 6, 2020}} He defeated Green Party nominee Martin T. Wirth in the 2014 election.{{Cite news |title=2014 Primary Election Results - Republican Party Ballot |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/primary/republican/stateSenate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113040516/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/primary/republican/stateSenate.html |archive-date=January 13, 2022}}{{Cite news |title=2014 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/general/senate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113040621/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/general/senate.html |archive-date=January 13, 2022}}

==Tenure==

During Grantham's tenure in the state senate he served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, State Veterans and Military Affairs, Finance, and Joint Budget committee. He served as the chair of the Appropriations committee.{{Cite news |date=November 25, 2016 |title=Same old committees, lots of new chairs in state Senate |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/same-old-committees-lots-of-new-chairs-in-state-senate/article_855b84ac-08d3-52b9-bb4e-f4772044b587.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110143739/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/same-old-committees-lots-of-new-chairs-in-state-senate/article_855b84ac-08d3-52b9-bb4e-f4772044b587.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He replaced Senator Steve King on the Legislative Audit committee while King faced felony charges.{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2014 |title=King removed from legislative panel |page=3 |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270457/the-daily-sentinel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110133503/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270457/the-daily-sentinel/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

He supported Mitt Romney during the 2012 Republican presidential primary and served as an unpledged delegate to the Republican National Convention.{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2012 |title=Romney speech inspires Colorado delegates: 'We can do this' |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/romney-speech-inspires-colorado-delegates-we-can-do-this/article_e89052f8-4b07-5677-850c-12310ab60f1b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110144130/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/romney-speech-inspires-colorado-delegates-we-can-do-this/article_e89052f8-4b07-5677-850c-12310ab60f1b.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He served as the whip for the Republican caucus from 2012 to 2014. On November 10, 2016, he was selected to serve as the president of the state senate.{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2016 |title=Western Slope lawmakers get leadership posts |page=2 |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270565/the-daily-sentinel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110133816/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270565/the-daily-sentinel/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Grantham was criticized for his handling of sexual assault and harassment claims against member of the state senate due to partisanship. He stated that Senator Daniel Kagan had acted improperly before an investigation was started while he stated that investigations into Republican senators Randy Baumgardner, Larry Crowder, and Jack Tate were flawed.{{Cite news |date=March 28, 2018 |title=At Colorado Capitol, Grantham Critics Say Double Standard For Sexual Harassment Claims |work=KRCC |url=https://www.cpr.org/2018/03/28/at-colorado-capitol-grantham-critics-say-double-standard-for-sexual-harassment-claims/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110140926/https://www.cpr.org/2018/03/28/at-colorado-capitol-grantham-critics-say-double-standard-for-sexual-harassment-claims/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He requested for Beth McCann, the Denver District Attorney, to start investigations on all sexual harassments complaints filed against state legislators.{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=GJ legislator: Due process for accused colleagues |page=1 |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270938/the-daily-sentinel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110135056/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92270938/the-daily-sentinel/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} He stated that he did not believe the sexual harassment complaints against Baumgardner despite the investigation stating the complaints were credible. Grantham voted against expelling Baumgardner from the state senate and refused to ask him to resign.{{Cite news |date=April 3, 2018 |title=State Senate will not expel Baumgardner |page=1 |work=Grand Junction Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92271152/the-daily-sentinel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110135610/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92271152/the-daily-sentinel/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=April 24, 2018 |title=Senate leader won't seek resignation of lawmaker |page=A2 |work=Fort Collins Coloradoan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92271182/fort-collins-coloradoan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110135757/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92271182/fort-collins-coloradoan/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

=Local politics=

Grantham served on the board of adjustments in Cañon City, Colorado, from 2005 to 2007, and as its chair in 2007. He elected to the city council from an at-large seat in 2007. He served as the chair of the Fremont County Republican Party from 2007 to 2010. Grantham announced on November 14, 2019, that he would run for a seat on the Fremont County Commission from the 1st district and was elected without opposition.{{Cite news |title=2020 Fremont County General Election Cumulative Report Official Results |work=Fremont County, Colorado |url=https://www.fremontco.com/files/elections/results/official-results_0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423054945/https://www.fremontco.com/files/elections/results/official-results_0.pdf |archive-date=April 23, 2021}} During the 2022 United States Senate election he organized Eli Bremer's campaign in Fremont County.{{Cite news |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Republican US Senate candidate Eli Bremer names county coordinators |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/colorado-in-dc/republican-us-senate-candidate-eli-bremer-names-county-coordinators/article_34cd080c-25fe-11ec-a97d-dfda439a0b01.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110142928/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/colorado-in-dc/republican-us-senate-candidate-eli-bremer-names-county-coordinators/article_34cd080c-25fe-11ec-a97d-dfda439a0b01.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}

Political positions

Grantham stated that regulations should be enacted on the construction of mosques after a speech by Geert Wilders.{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2012 |title=Colorado State Sen. Says Banning New Mosques Is Something to Think About |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/07/16/colorado-state-sen-says-banning-new-mosques-is-something-to-think-about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110142303/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/07/16/colorado-state-sen-says-banning-new-mosques-is-something-to-think-about/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He opposed the legalization of cannabis.{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2014 |title=Marijuana Farmers Unlikely To See Farm Tax Perks |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/02/09/marijuana-farmers-unlikely-to-see-farm-tax-perks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110142600/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/02/09/marijuana-farmers-unlikely-to-see-farm-tax-perks/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He introduced legislation to allow business owners to use lethal force if they believed that their property was threatened.{{Cite news |date=March 5, 2012 |title='Make My Day Better' Bill Fails In Colorado Senate |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/03/05/make-my-day-better-bill-heard-in-colorado-senate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110141939/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/03/05/make-my-day-better-bill-heard-in-colorado-senate/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}} He received an F rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.{{Cite news |title=Kevin Grantham |work=NARAL Pro-Choice America |url=https://naralcolorado.org/legislator/kevin-grantham/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211127173405/https://naralcolorado.org/legislator/leroy-garcia/ |archive-date=November 27, 2021}} He stated that President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States was "an excellent one".{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Colorado politicos react to Trump's pick of Kavanaugh for Supreme Court |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-politicos-react-to-trumps-pick-of-kavanaugh-for-supreme-court/article_fac1a896-e8eb-5213-99dd-48f390b66b77.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110144514/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-politicos-react-to-trumps-pick-of-kavanaugh-for-supreme-court/article_fac1a896-e8eb-5213-99dd-48f390b66b77.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}

He is against an attempt to have the Colorado Republican Party to eliminate the selection of candidates for the 2022 election through primaries stating that "This idiotic push from a small group of purists ranks as one of the worst ideas amongst the worst of the worst ideas in the entire history of insane ideas".{{Cite news |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Some Colorado Republicans want to forgo their party's 2022 primaries. Others think that's "insane." |work=The Colorado Sun |url=https://coloradosun.com/2021/08/05/2022-republican-primary-opt-out-vote/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110141610/https://coloradosun.com/2021/08/05/2022-republican-primary-opt-out-vote/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022}}

Electoral history

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2010 Colorado Senate 2nd district election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham

|votes = 8,162

|percentage = 63.53%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Matt Heimerich

|votes = 4,686

|percentage = 36.47%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 12,848

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham

|votes = 25,902

|percentage = 58.23%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gloria Stultz

|votes = 18,581

|percentage = 41.77%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 44,483

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2014 Colorado Senate 2nd district election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham (incumbent)

|votes = 13,551

|percentage = 100.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 13,551

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham (incumbent)

|votes = 38,895

|percentage = 74.92%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Green Party of the United States

|candidate = Martin T. Wirth

|votes = 13,019

|percentage = 25.08%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 51,914

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title = 2020 Fremont County Commission 1st district election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham

|votes = 20,054

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 20,054

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title = 2024 Fremont County Commission 1st district election{{cite web|url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Fremont/122622/web.345435/#/summary|title=November 5, 2025 General Election Official Results|website=Fremont County, Colorado Election Division|date=21 November 2024|accessdate=29 March 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Grantham

|votes = 19,613

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 19,613

|percentage = 100.00%

}}