The national NAACP is working to rebuild its Boulder County branch after former local leaders announced they were dissolving it in protest of what they described as retaliation by city officials. The national office says the branch remains active and is moving forward with plans to appoint new leadership.
Last month, NAACP suspended Boulder County’s 12-person executive committee — led by then-president Annett James, criminal justice committee chair Darren O’Connor and board member Jude Landsman — following the group’s announcement that they were shutting down the branch. The suspensions came amid a prolonged internal conflict involving city officials and allegations of unethical conduct, largely stemming from the committee members’ opposition to the appointment of Police Chief Steve Redfearn.
In a March 28 letter, the former leaders said they were dissolving the branch due to what they called “retaliation” from city leaders and pressure to align with city interests — a claim the city denies. Days later, the national NAACP said local branches do not have the authority to disband themselves and that the Boulder branch remained active…