<a href="https://www.thelobby-co.com/content-library/only-half-of-coloradan-think-democrats-have-a-clue" target="_blank">Only Half of Coloradans Think Democrats Have a Clue</a>
In the midst of an upcoming election that promises significant changes in Colorado's political landscape, a recent poll has shown that only half of Coloradans believe that a state controlled by Democrats is heading in the right direction.
With 11 months until the next election, this revelation raises questions about the future of the state's congressional delegation and representation under the golden dome of the state Capitol.
The findings of the statewide poll, released by the Colorado Polling Institute, shed light on the concerns and priorities of Colorado voters. The survey, conducted by Aspect Strategic, a Democratic political firm, and Cygnal, a Republican political firm, polled 652 likely 2024 general election voters in Colorado on November 26th and 27th. The margin of error for the poll is 3.83%.
When asked about their top priorities, voters named cost of living, public safety, and housing affordability as the key issues they want the government to focus on. Following closely behind were concerns about homelessness, the economy, education, climate and the environment, and health care.
Housing emerged as a significant concern among respondents, with 63% expressing the belief that buying a home in Colorado will become more difficult in the future. This sentiment was consistent across different lengths of residency in the state and whether respondents owned or rented their homes. Housing affordability was particularly important for individuals aged 18 to 29 and for renters.
Looking ahead, it is expected that housing will remain a primary focus for the Legislature in the coming year. Democrats are likely to revisit a failed land use bill to make different types of development more feasible. Nearly half of the polled voters expressed support for legislation that establishes targets for local governments to build housing near transit.
The poll also revealed pessimism regarding the overall state of the economy and financial mobility in Colorado. A significant majority, 59%, felt that achieving a good standard of living in the state is difficult, even if one "works hard and plays by the rules."
Interestingly, the majority of respondents had not heard enough about the recent special legislative session on property taxes to form an opinion on the outcome. Slightly more people disapproved (25%) of the passed legislation than approved (22.6%).
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As the election draws nearer, it is clear that Colorado is at a critical juncture. The poll results highlight the concerns and priorities of Coloradans, providing a glimpse into the issues that will shape the state's political landscape in the coming months.
The poll also revealed a partisan divide in Colorado's outlook, with Democrats showing more optimism about the state's current trajectory. Notably, all of Colorado's top elected officials are Democrats, and the party holds a majority in the Legislature. On the other hand, Republicans expressed more pessimism. Unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voting bloc in the state, fell somewhere in between the two parties.
Read the full results of the poll on the CPI’s website.