The Mercatus Center at George Mason University each year measures “freedom” in each state. While Colorado’s overall score (19) is in the middle, the analysis of the state points out that “its freedom score is one of the “most worsened” in the country over the 2001 to 2011 period.” From 2009 alone, Colorado’s rank has slipped 12 points – from #7 most free to #19.
It’s worth noting in the graph below that Colorado’s decline really began in 2007, which coincidentally or not was when Bill Ritter became Governor.
The reasons for the low scores are cited in the analysis video below and include its high state government spending and tax burden, which increased from 8.3 to 9.6% over four years. Over the last decade, the state has dropped from #7 to #21 in terms of fiscal policy. Additionally, “half-hearted” eminent domain reform and highly regulated telecom industries also drove the score lower.
After this year’s legislative session, we can’t even imagine how the score will fall. Afterall, 14,000 pages of new regulations in the state in just half of a legislative session doesn’t bode well for Coloradans’ freedoms. Nor does the Bloomberg/Biden gun grab.
Can't imagine how that chart will look like in another 10 years, probably near California levels.
The once Great State of Colorado is now officially known as COMMIE-RADO (Occupied Territory). Support the RECALLS of the TRAITORS to liberty. Help the law-abiding citizens and patriots of Colorado take their state back.
If you give Dems complete control, they will raise taxes, restrict every right possible, redraw voting districts in order to stay in power, and give voting licenses to illegals to increase their voting base (Drivers licenses). They will promise the voters that they will not do these things, and the voters will believe them, and the Dems will lie. again, and again, and the democrats and independents will drink the kool-aid.
Feel free to refute any of the data points with empirical evidence instead of just attacking who may be associated with funding the research. Go ahead, we'll wait.
"Calirado".
Great Job Team Blue! When a Liberal complains they want their way and it's granted, then they complain it's not how they wanted it. Go figure…
Interesting but not at all surprising.
People vote with an incredibly myopic view, and this is the result:
Shocker. They are taking away our Rights one by one and the "elected representatives" are not listening! People need to wake up before it's too late.
Not too surprising… Colorado has gone from a wonderfully free state to a California clone.
No mention of the new leftist gun restrictions?
You don't have to read beyond the first line on Wikipedia: "The Mercatus Center at George Mason University (GMU) in the United States is a non-profit[1] American market-oriented research, education, and outreach think tank affiliated with the Koch family."