Student enrollment in the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, has remained static, attributed to concerns about potential retaliation. This situation persists nearly a year after the group’s registration faced strong opposition from both the community and student body.
Rachel Cook, the vice president of the TPUSA chapter at Fort Lewis College, stated, “It’s definitely been flat.” Her remarks come after significant campus upheaval was triggered by the student government’s decision to recognize the chapter. Much of the turmoil was recorded and shared with Fox News Digital.
An incident last year involved campus police detaining a student who struck a local resident, David Peters, with a Taco Bell cup during a heated exchange outside student senate chambers. Peters, a former chair of the La Plata County GOP, reflected on the challenge affecting TPUSA’s membership. “Their membership has been essentially flat,” he said, emphasizing students’ hesitation due to fears of retaliation which have resulted in some receiving anonymous threats.
Cook reaffirmed these safety worries, stating, “Students have hesitated to join because of concerns about personal safety. Many officers have been threatened and harassed.”
The tensions at Fort Lewis College are part of a larger national trend, as TPUSA has reported receiving substantial interest for campus chapters following the assassination of co-founder Charlie Kirk in September 2025. This incident has intensified concerns about political violence, as evidence pointed to ammunition engraved with political slogans.
Jonah Flynn spearheaded efforts to establish a TPUSA presence on campus despite initial rejection by the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College (ASFLC). Eventually, the student government reversed its stance, approving the group in an emergency session. This decision was met with immediate backlash from anti-TPUSA attendees.
During the tense meeting, approximately 70 people attended, leading to confrontations in the building’s lobby. A police report described Peters approaching a student named Megan Elizabeth Hope Mollett, known as Nova, who engaged in a conflict involving Peters’ phone and an empty Taco Bell cup.
Police intervened and detained Mollett, issuing a warning after Peters declined criminal charges but requested university disciplinary action. The hostility on campus has persisted, highlighted by former anthropology professor David Kozak shouting derogatory remarks at TPUSA supporters in a post-vote protest. Kozak has since retired, according to Fort Lewis College.
With political violence on the rise nationally, Fort Lewis College emphasizes the importance of student safety amid these tensions. A spokesperson for the college confirmed no reports of harassment involving the TPUSA chapter this year.
News reporter Joshua Q. Nelson covers education, cultural trends, and public policies for Fox News Digital. He graduated from Syracuse University and holds a Wharton Public Policy Certificate. Story suggestions can be sent to his email.