MAY 1, 2025 | FEATURES | By Lorelei Smillie
In a city shifting to the left sits the old guard: an Evangelical radio show and an anti-LGBT lobbying organization.
15 minutes north on the highway from Colorado College, occupying a property so big that it has its own zip code, is Focus on the Family: one of the largest centers of conservative thought in the city and in the United States.
Although rarely discussed by the progressive student body at CC, Focus on the Family, known colloquially as “Focus,” is one of the most influential evangelical organizations in the country. In 2024, their revenue totaled over $142 million.
The organization is against gay marriage, transgender rights, abortion and a slew of other progressive policy positions. Their primary mode of information distribution is through broadcast radio programming, with shows airing in 149 countries and 26 languages.
Focus also operates a foster and adoption ministry called Wait No More and publishes several magazines, as well as various blogs and online resources.
Originally founded as a conservative lobbying organization in Northern California in 1977, Focus’ founder, James Dobson, sought to promote conservative public policy through political activism.
“Dr. Dobson could go on the radio and say: tell your congressman to support or oppose this legislation. He could shut down the Capitol switchboard,” said Gary Schneeberger, assistant to the president of media relations.
After Dobson retired, Jim Daly assumed power in 2005. During Daly’s reign, the organization shifted its focus from policy to an educational, values-based model. The organization is placing more attention on podcasts and a new social media strategy to educate the public on their values of family and worship, which instruct children to be heterosexual and occupy traditional gender roles.
To advance their policy goals, Focus created various statewide lobbying organizations under the umbrella of the Family Policy Alliance (FPA).
When asked about the FPA, Schneeberger replied, “It’s a whole separate organization.”
The FPA is housed in the same building as the main offices of Focus. It has a 501(c)(4) tax status, meaning it does not face the same lobbying restrictions as Focus does. Due to the multiple organizations housed under the FPA, exact revenue numbers are difficult to determine.
“FPA was founded by Focus on the Family and maintains a positive relationship with the founding organization. FPA became a separate organization after Focus on the Family sought to focus more on its original family ministry efforts instead of political involvement,” wrote Dillon Burroughs, marketing specialist for the FPA, in an emailed statement.
The Family Policy Alliance is listed on Project 2025’s website as a member of the advisory board. When asked what the FPA is doing to advance the goals of Project 2025, Burroughs wrote, “FPA has no association with Project 2025.”
In an increasingly secular United States, in a city that’s becoming more and more progressive, how has Focus adapted?
Schneeberger explained that part of their mission has involved hosting community events for the residents of Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Springs’ historically Christian population with a strong military presence is currently witnessing an influx of liberal millennials from California and Texas that is rapidly changing the culture of the city.
Schneeberger recounted that one year, the Colorado Springs Independent gave Focus the “Claim to Shame Award.”
“When that result came out, I said, you know what? Let’s go to the awards ceremony. We showed up to pick up our Claim to Shame award. And it totally changed the relationship with the more progressive folks, to the point that the publisher of that paper, John Weiss, and Jim Daly became friends,” Schneeberger said.
The Colorado Springs Independent and Focus went on to host a joint event to promote adoption out of foster care.
Focus is trying to prioritize engagement with the city. Last year, they hosted an event in the Springs to celebrate the 1000th episode of Adventures in Odyssey, their evangelical Christian radio drama. Over 6,000 people attended the launch party.
The Welcome Center is also a significant attraction. Listed as a destination on the Colorado Springs Tourism website, the Welcome Center is also advertised on several highway signs. Inside are several playground areas for children, as well as free spaces for birthday parties and a soda and coffee shop. Since 1994, the Center has hosted over six million guests.
On the walls, amidst decorations of butterflies and flowers, are various quotes from the Bible.
“The best way to change culture is not to change laws, but to change hearts. That’s why the chief pursuit of what we do here is evangelism. We want people to know the saving power of Jesus,” Schneeberger said.