Denver City Wire

Denver District Court Judge Marie Moses recently put a stop to the recall campaign against Sen. Kevin Priola.

Colorado Newsline reports Republicans launched the recall after the former Republican changed his party affiliation to Democratic as Democrats fight to hold on to the majority in the state Senate. While Priola currently represents District 25, he would represent District 13 next year.

“The secretary’s approval of the recall petition allowed a shift in the recall right to constituents of a neighboring district whom Sen. Priola does not currently represent and will not represent until Jan. 9, 2023,” Moses said in the court decision, according to Colorado Newsline.

Under Moses’ ruling, as stated by Colorado Newsline, any further recalls would likely not happen until after the 2023 legislative session.

In August, Priola left the Republican party, citing the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol, and "his party's lack of action on climate change," saying his GOP colleagues "consistently and proudly seek to impede progress ... and I can't, in good conscience, be silent about that."

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office had estimated that it would cost $199,079.95 for a special election to recall Priola, Denver City Wire reported.

The Secretary of State determined that if a recall were to happen, it would occur in Senate District 13, where redistricting put Priola, according to CPR News.