Republicans to hold competing protests over GOP

Colorado Republicans are planning competing protests Friday, following a controversial convention and threats against the state GOP chair.

"We feel betrayed by the Republican Party," said Erin Behrens, an Arvada stay-at-home mother who couldn't believe all 34 of Colorado's delegates went to Ted Cruz. "There’s a lot of Colorado Republicans who feel very disenfranchised. "

So Sunday night, she and her husband, Matthew, created a website and a Facebook event for a protest on the steps of the state capitol at 3 p.m. Friday.

"We, figured, 'hey, it may just be us standing out there, holding our signs in the rain,' but maybe not, maybe a couple of people will come," said Erin Behrens.

Since then, tDonald Trump has tweeted about the "march," stating "Don't let the bosses take your vote."

Big protest march in Colorado on Friday afternoon! Don't let the bosses take your vote!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2016

Meanwhile, there's a clear symbol of the division in the Republican Party, as organizers planned a simultaneous rallyat the Republican Party Headquarters, at 5950 S. Willow Drive in Greenwood Village.

"Donald Trump and all of his team should have recognized that if they were going to be competitive in Colorado, they had to actually play by the rules," said Jimmy Sengenberger, a Republican activist who organized the rally in response to threats against Party leaders. "People who are being threatened and intimidated for doing their job deserve to have people represented who support them."

"We absolutely condemn any violence or personal attacks," said Matthew Behrens, repeating that they are planning a peaceful protest, pushing for primaries in the future and hoping the GOP takes note.