The Truth About Colorado's Political Landscape: A Conservative Analysis

By D. Lee Phelan SR, Chair, Las Animas County Republican Central Committee

November 8, 2024

LKY: Note how Colorado voted by County in this Presidential Election 2024:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

The recent claims by Governor Polis about Colorado turning more blue represent a fundamental misreading of our state's political reality. While Democrats celebrate their continued hold on power, a closer look reveals a different story – one of missed opportunities and questionable Democratic policies that have left many Coloradans struggling.

The Pueblo Shift: A Signal of Change

Perhaps the most telling development is Pueblo County's historic shift from blue to red. This traditional Democratic stronghold's transformation signals a deeper dissatisfaction with current Democratic leadership. However, the Republican Party's inability to fully capitalize on this momentum stems from a lack of unified vision and coordinated strategy across Colorado's 64 counties.

The Tax Shell Game

Governor Polis's boasts about tax reduction ring hollow when examined closely. The truth is that his administration first drove taxes to unprecedented heights, then called a Special Legislative Session – not to genuinely lower taxes, but merely to reduce the size of increases. Colorado homeowners will soon face this reality when they receive their property tax bills, discovering that the promised "decreases" are nothing more than clever political messaging.

Real Challenges Facing Coloradans

Our state continues to grapple with:

• Skyrocketing housing costs

• Overwhelming illegal immigration impacts

• Rising homelessness

• Increasing crime rates

• Crushing tax burdens

While other states prosper under Republican leadership, Colorado remains trapped in a cycle of Democratic policies that continue to push our state toward a California-style decline.

The Path Forward

The recent elections showed promising signs of Republican strength at the county level. Many of our 64 county GOP committees delivered impressive victories, proving that conservative messages still resonate with voters. What's needed now is to harness this grassroots energy into a cohesive statewide movement.

A Little-Known Democratic Policy Backfire

Ironically, had the Democrats' own National Popular Vote Interstate Compact been in effect, Donald Trump would have secured Colorado's electoral votes based on the national popular vote margin. This demonstrates the short-sightedness of Democratic electoral policies.

The Call to Action

Yes, the path ahead is challenging. Yes, it would be easier to give up. But across the nation, Republicans are winning not just strategic victories but the popular vote as well. Our message of limited government, personal responsibility, and economic freedom continues to resonate with voters who are tired of seeing their communities transformed by failed progressive policies.

Colorado can return to its roots as a state of independent thinkers who understand that government isn't the solution to our problems – more often than not, it's the source of them. The movement to "de-Californicate" our great state isn't just possible; it's essential for our future prosperity.

What we need now isn't more backroom political maneuvering, but bold leadership willing to unite our 64 counties behind a vision of a freer, more prosperous Colorado. The foundation is there. The voters are ready. The question is: Will our party leadership rise to meet this moment?