A poll offering a glimpse into what Coloradans really think about all those social issues favored by progressives and their friends in the media shows a majority are grounded in their viewpoints and not easily persuaded by trendy topics.
Conducted by the Colorado Polling Institute in November with 652 likely voters, the survey also found a notable gulf in outlooks between recent transplants in the last five years and those living here longer than 20 years.
Locals skew negative in their outlook, with 44%-50% saying the state is on the right-wrong track, while 77% of newcomers say Colorado is on the right track, versus 15% on the wrong track.
Not to sound like a negative old-timer, but Hell itself is probably on the right track when you’re relocating from California.
Contrary to the favorite topics of journalists, abortion and social inequality are nowhere near being a top concern for Coloradans as they go about their daily lives.
Like most human beings during the Times of Biden, Coloradans are worried about Bidenomics and the cost of living, their own safety and increasing crime with no punishment, the rising cost of housing, and the mental state of homeless folks. They are also worried about their jobs and the overall economy, the state of our educational system and what’s happening in schools.
Only then do they get around to our environment and the weather, and then their own healthcare.
Broken down by age group, it seems strange that women no longer of child-bearing age are more concerned about abortion than child-bearing age women. Unlike boomers, they’ve probably figured out how to use birth control.
We are surprised to see Gen X cared 0% about social and racial inequality as their top concerns. Is it all just a stereotype hyped by social media?
Other interesting findings
Our favorite response was to this over-loaded question begging for approval:
“Considering the range and quality of services that are provided by state and local governments in Colorado, do you think taxes in Colorado are too high, too low, or about right?”
More than 60% responded taxes are too damn high.
When it comes to drug addiction and mental health for the homeless, should it be voluntary or forced? Notably, respondents weren’t asked if government, courts, or family should do the forcing with legal tools.
The responses were split with 44% saying it should be voluntary, 43% said it should no longer be voluntary.
Only 27% of those surveyed said they were Republicans, 31% said they were Democrats, while 50% admitted to voting for Joe Biden.
The vast majority, nearly 60%, said they have no faith that Colorado’s economy “rewards hard work and playing by the rules.”
And as for housing, those who own homes think the market is driving up housing prices, while those who rent think it’s driven by greedy landlords.
Voters are divided on what they think is most responsible for the increasing cost of rent in the state with a 4-point lean towards market forces like low housing supply and high demand (43%) over greed and price gouging on the part of landlords (39%). 14% of voters think “something else” other than greed or market forces is responsible for the increasing costs.
Coloradans overwhelmingly trust small businesses over government by 69%. Only 25% trust the federal government and 37% trust state government.