Republicans in Colorado’s conservative mega-hub have new leadership today, electing Colorado Springs business entrepreneur and self-described political outsider Trevor Dierdorff and his slate to the top posts in the El Paso County GOP.

In balloting this afternoon, the county party’s Central Committee overwhelmingly voted for Dierdorff as their new chair over Lana Fore, a former state party secretary, and Charlie Ehler, a longtime local GOP activist.

Josh Hosler – also a relative newcomer to politics who lost a GOP primary bid in House District 15 in northern Colorado Springs last June – was elected vice chair by a wide margin, as well. Hosler defeated Anita Miller and former Colorado Springs state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt, the pot-stirring televangelist known for making national headlines with his controversial comments.

Former Colorado Springs state Rep Kit Roupe was elected the county party’s secretary.

All three on the self-announced slate won lopsided victories, leaving little doubt as to committee members’ sympathies. Dierdorff took 63 percent of the vote to Fore’s 27 percent and Ehler’s 10 percent. Hosler got 55 percent of the vote to Klingenschmitt’s 30 percent and Miller’s 16 percent (figures were rounded). Roupe won 72 percent of the vote against write-in candidate Kathryn Porter.

Current county party Chair Jeff Hays is not seeking another term as he instead mounts a bid to become the state Republican chair.

El Paso County’s Republican Party is the state’s largest county GOP and wields considerable influence within Republican ranks at the Capitol and across the state.