The Shadow Policing of Colorado’s Republican Governor Nominee

Victor Marx, the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, has been linked to controversy surrounding his anti-sex-trafficking ministry, All Things Possible (ATP). This connection raises alarm bells about the potential for private influence over policing in the state.

Marx served as chair and president of ATP until he launched his gubernatorial campaign. The overlap between his ministry and political organization has sparked concerns about the blurring of lines between charitable work and partisan politics. Critics argue that ATP’s activities are shrouded in secrecy, with potential dangers and lack of transparency drawing criticism.

ATP’s website describes a ministry operating in volatile regions worldwide, conducting rescue missions involving paramilitary teams assembled by Marx. Its domestic model includes crowd-sourcing intelligence on alleged victims and offenders through events called “Skull Games,” which raises questions about the role of civilians in law enforcement activities. The connection between ATP and private security contractors is also concerning, as is its funding of out-of-state law enforcement agencies.

This trend has implications beyond Colorado’s gubernatorial election. Elizabeth Joh, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, notes that sworn officers may be accountable to private donors rather than the public they serve when private donors influence policing through anonymous donations and private contracts. “To whom are these dedicated sworn officers accountable?” Joh asked.

Marx’s background as a marine and claims about assembling paramilitary teams for anti-trafficking missions raise questions about his involvement in policing activities. His boasts of performing exorcisms over the phone only add to concerns surrounding his candidacy.

ATP’s pivot from overseas rescue missions to domestic partnerships with law enforcement agencies is disturbing, particularly its Protecting Children’s Innocence taskforce (PCI-TF), which aims to procure surveillance equipment and software for local, state, and federal agencies through private donations. This raises concerns about unchecked influence over policing decisions.

The intersection of politics and law enforcement is complex and often contentious. In this case, the overlap between Marx’s ministry and gubernatorial campaign has created a toxic environment where charitable work and partisan politics are blurred. As Colorado heads towards the general election, voters must scrutinize Marx’s record and consider the implications of his involvement in private policing initiatives.

The issue at hand is not just about Victor Marx or his candidacy but also about the broader concerns surrounding private donors’ influence on law enforcement. It’s essential to examine the role of private money in shaping policing decisions and demand greater transparency from those who seek to wield power over our state’s law enforcement agencies.

This shadow policing of Colorado’s Republican governor nominee is a symptom of a larger problem that requires attention and scrutiny. As voters, we must not let this issue fade into the background; instead, we must demand answers about how private influence will shape the future of policing in our state.