As precinct caucuses are set to help kick off the election season early next month, Weld County and Colorado Republican leaders say they're optimistic about what's to come in 2022.

Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown said the party is looking to build off successes last year in city council and school board races.

"That's how you build your bench. It is how you affect the policy that's closest to people," she said. "We saw great success in flipping multiple councils and school boards, and I think we will apply a lot of that to the levels here in 2022."

Burton Brown believes Republicans have a good shot at taking back the State Senate, as well as picking up House seats around the state and winning statewide offices. She said Republicans are focused on three major issues: bringing down record-high crime rates, addressing record-high inflation and giving parents more say in their children's education.

Republicans aren't just talking about the issues, Burton Brown said, making note of Colorado Republicans' "Commitment to Colorado," a 44-bill package meant to make Colorado affordable, prioritize public safety, expand educational choice and more. To see the bills, go to coloradosenaterepublicans.com/commitment.

"That kind of illustrates what we would do if we got elected to a majority in 2022 or won some statewide offices," Burton Brown said. "We think in order to really win Coloradans, we need to propose solutions and say, 'Here's exactly how we would build a better future.'"

Weld County GOP Chairman Tom Van Lone said county Republicans are looking to grow the party base and get out the vote, targeting unaffiliated voters with marketing and outreach. They hope this strategy will help Republican candidates in the upcoming election, as county Republicans continue to support agriculture, oil and gas and fiscal responsibility.

"We're very excited," Van Lone said.

One opportunity Republicans are excited about is the new 8th Congressional District, a new congressional seat representing parts of Weld County. Republicans running for the seat include familiar Weld politicians State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine. Burton Brown noted a large share of the new district's population is Hispanic.

"I think a lot of our candidates are really talking about getting into Hispanic communities," she said. "CD8 gives us a really good opportunity to grow our party in that community."

Colorado Republicans are also hoping to see more suburban women participating in the Republican Party, with more of a focus on local issues than "a federalized, personality-focused election," she said.

Another focus for Republicans is House District 50, currently filled by Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, Burton Brown said, describing it as a "key seat."

Burton Brown expects Republicans' work on issues including addressing the cost of living and supporting the agriculture and energy industries to resonate well with Weld voters.

"Ten years of Democrat control has kicked a lot of that (energy) out of the state. A lot of people have lost jobs they haven't been able to get back," she said. "Jared Polis I think has shown that he doesn't really care about rural Colorado."

While people often like bipartisan solutions, Burton Brown said, "that's not happening under Democrat leadership."

"If Republicans are elected in 2022, we have real solutions that are better for the future, and we will work across the aisle to get them done," she said. "And I think we have to show we can do that where the Democrats have not over the last decade."

The Weld GOP caucus is 7 p.m. Tuesday at locations across the county. Party officials encourage participants to check the new precincts and caucus locations at www.weldcogop.org/precinct.