In 5280‘s August issue, veteran Denver political reporter Eli Stokols pens his first feature for the magazine, profiling one of the most influential—and largely anonymous—figures in Colorado politics.

In “Dudley Brown’s War,” the KVDR Fox31 television personality takes a closer look at the man behind Rocky Mountain Gun Owners and the National Association for Gun Rights. Stokols reveals how Brown, in his unapologetic zeal to promote and protect the Second Amendment, has engineered—in every sense of the word—some of the most scandalous moments in Colorado’s recent political history. By speaking to many political insiders, most of them happy to air their opinions on what some see as Brown’s two-decade reign of terror, Stokols makes the case that Brown himself is as responsible as anyone or anything for the recent implosion of the state Republican party.

Whether or not you agree with this, there’s no indication Brown has any intention of changing his ways. For evidence, look no further than his Westboro Baptist-style demonstration this past weekend at a ceremony honoring the Aurora theater shooting victims. For more on this ultraconservative activist, pick up our August issue, on newsstands later this week.

—Image courtesy of Dudley Brown

Follow 5280 articled editor Luc Hatlestad on Twitter at @LucHatlestad.