Ahead of the Colorado Rockies home opener this afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis joined The Unaffiliated for a three questions strikes interview.
Batter up…
⚾ The Colorado Sun: I know you’ve said you’re waiting to see what the property tax commission comes up with, but would you — personally — support a statewide, annual cap on property tax revenue, like what’s being proposed by Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern? What about something similar?
Gov. Jared Polis: My priority is providing property tax relief. I’ve been very clear about that from the start. I would encourage everybody to show openness to different ways to do that, just as I showed openness to Proposition HH, openness to different ballot initiatives, openness to legislative action. The bottom line is: Will it save people money on property taxes? There’s a lot of initiatives out there. Usually I look at things on the ballot in August or September. Obviously I’m focused now on the legislative arena, and I’m hopeful that legislators will come together to provide additional property tax relief.
⚾⚾ The Sun: You said in January that you wouldn’t entertain any use of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights surplus if it isn’t accompanied by an income tax cut. Democratic lawmakers want to tap into hundreds of millions of the surplus for tax credits. The lone income tax cut proposal we’ve seen in the legislature this year was swiftly rejected. Are negotiations underway? And if the legislature doesn’t pass an income tax rate reduction, does that mean you’ll veto the tax credit measures?
Polis: I think as part of any discussion of TABOR surplus, we need to include tax rate reductions. I’ve been very clear on that. Within that there’s plenty of room to figure out better ways to not take money from people above what we can spend, rather than have the government take it and hold onto it and then send some of it back to people a year later. It’s better simply not to over collect. I’m very open to discussions about how that can be part of a TABOR surplus reform package. We just have to be careful and prudent about the amount of tax credits that are put forward in order to maintain strong fiscal responsibility and stability for an uncertain future.
⚾⚾⚾ The Sun: The count is 0-2 and so here’s a fastball straight down the middle that you have to swing at or strike out. You’ve never clearly said where you stand on a so-called assault weapons ban. Do you support the measure currently being debated in the legislature that would ban the purchase, sale and transfer of guns defined in the legislation as assault weapons? I know you might say you haven’t read it yet, but I’m happy to tell you what’s in it — or even read the bill to you.
Polis: Well, as you know I’m focused on making Colorado one of the 10 safest states. I’m a supporter of our Second Amendment right to bear arms. We lead the nation in gun violence prevention. I always look at data-driven solutions. I have worked closely with the sponsors on the gun-free schools legislation, Senate Bill 131, and a number of items in our budget improve public safety. I’ve long been skeptical of discussions around “this kind of equipment versus that kind of equipment.” I think it’s more an issue of making sure our gun safety laws are followed. I think where you can and can’t safely carry guns is a legitimate discussion, as well as making sure that our strong gun laws are enforced.
Welcome to The Unaffiliated, the politics and policy newsletter from The Colorado Sun. Twice a week, we take you inside the political arena to deliver news and insights on Colorado politics. Keep reading for even more exclusive news.
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MORE: We asked the governor a fourth question. We called it an “intentional walk.”
⚾⚾⚾⚾ The Sun: What do the Rockies and their management need to do to turn this failing team around? And would you ever consider leading or being part of a group to buy the team?
Polis: I’m still willing to play for the team. I think Rickey Henderson played at my age, so there might still be some hope. At the start of the season, we’re always optimistic about the outcome. Obviously a lot of things need to break our way to be a contender, but we have some good, young talent on the team. You never know what’s going to happen in the bullpen and the pitcher’s mound. Hopefully things come together. The odds are against us, but we’ve been there before and it’s always fun to be the scrappy underdog. At this point I’m still fairly young enough where I’d be more interested in being on the field as a member of the team (than an owner).
THE NARRATIVE
Senate OKs budget additions for crime victims and hospitals
The Colorado Senate on Thursday gave preliminary approval to more than a dozen amendments to the state’s 2024-25 budget, adding millions of dollars to support crime victims, seniors and health care programs.
All told, the changes would affect less than 1% of the state’s $40.6 billion spending plan — and many of them still won’t make the final budget. After a second Senate vote scheduled for today, the long bill goes back to the Joint Budget Committee, which will have to rebalance the budget now that lawmakers in both chambers have had their say.
The changes came over the half-hearted objections of Joint Budget Committee members Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton. The budget writers repeatedly reminded lawmakers that many of their proposals were impossible without cutting spending, dipping into the rainy day fund or reducing the money set aside for legislation for the remainder of the session.
“Our balance is at $0,” Kirkmeyer said. “I need to know where you want this general fund money to come from.”
That advice was often ignored — much as it was in the House last week.
The chamber agreed with the House on many of the changes lawmakers adopted previously, increasing their likelihood of making it into the final budget plan. Both chambers approved:
But despite being the more conservative of the two chambers, the Senate managed to add more than double the spending that the House did. Their additions included:
The Senate rejected one of the largest amendments adopted in the House: a $3.5 million cut to the Department of Corrections that would’ve been used to add prison beds. House lawmakers wanted to redirect the money to psychiatric treatment beds and a crime prevention program.
DO THE MATH
63%
The share of registered voters who think Colorado is a “blue state.”
That’s according to the results of a statewide poll commissioned by the nonpartisan Colorado Polling Institute. The survey was conducted among 632 registered voters from March 15-19 by Aspect Strategic, a Democratic firm, and New Bridge Strategy, a Republican firm.
The poll had a 4 percentage point margin of error.
Just 4% of those polled said they thought of Colorado as a “red state,” while 33% said they viewed Colorado as “somewhere in between.”
Lori Weigel, who leads New Bridge Strategy, said she asked voters the same question in 2008 as part of a survey she conducted for The Rocky Mountain News and News4, now CBS Colorado.
Back then, 60% of registered voters viewed Colorado as “somewhere in between,” while 22% said it was a “red state” and 15% said it was a “blue state.”
“Voters have clearly shifted in terms of their perception,” Weigel said.
Another interesting data point: Fifty-eight percent of those polled agreed that “Colorado has changed so much that I sometimes feel like a stranger in my own state.”
MORE: Poll participants were also asked who they would vote for in the 2024 presidential election. Forty-nine percent said they would vote for President Joe Biden, while 39% said former President Donald Trump and 12% said they were undecided.
Gov. Jared Polis is the most popular politician tested in the poll, with 50% saying they viewed him favorably, compared with 44% who said they viewed him unfavorably. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert was the least popular politician tested, with 62% saying they viewed her unfavorably and 22% saying they had a favorable view of her. (The poll tested Boebert statewide, but she has not held or run for statewide office.)
AXIOS DENVER: Poll: Immigration, homelessness top Colorado voters’ concerns
THE DENVER POST: Should Colorado meet migrants with compassion or turn them away? Voters are split on question, poll says
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THE POLITICAL TICKER
ELECTION 2024: Republican Danny Moore, a Navy veteran and entrepreneur who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2022 with gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl, is running for the state House. He’ll challenge recently appointed state Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, in House District 37. Moore was removed as chair of Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission in 2021 following scrutiny of social media posts where he touted unfounded claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election and referred to coronavirus as the “China virus.” The list of candidates running for state House and Senate changes daily. You can keep track here.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Republican political analyst and consultant Kelly Maher filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against the Colorado GOP and Chairman Dave Williams on Thursday. The complaint alleges Williams improperly used party resources to benefit his campaign to represent the 5th Congressional District by using party money to send a mailer attacking conservative commentator Jeff Crank, one of his primary opponents.
CU WINS: The University of Colorado’s men’s and women’s basketball teams didn’t make it to the Elite Eight of March Madness. But CU is a winner when it comes to lobbying spending, according to Open Secrets. The nonpartisan news outlet that tracks campaign finance spending matched up March Madness teams according to their institution’s federal lobbying spending, and CU won the national championship over the University of North Carolina by spending just over $1 million in 2023.
4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Conservative commentator Deborah Flora has abandoned her attempt to make the June 25 Republican primary ballot in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District through today’s nominating assembly. In an email to supporters, Flora, who has already qualified for the ballot by collecting voter signatures, said the assembly process is too unpredictable and colored by “behind the scenes deals.” “Since qualifying for the ballot with petitions, I have heard from many supporters who have asked me to not participate in the assembly,” she said in a written statement. Flora would have had to win the support of at least 10% of the nominating assembly’s delegates to keep her place on the primary ballot.
MORE: Still going through the Republican 4th District assembly, as of the publication of this newsletter, were U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert; state Rep. Richard Holtorf; former congressional staffer Chris Phelen; and former state Sens. Jerry Sonnenberg and Ted Harvey. Only Harvey hasn’t also gathered signatures to make the ballot, meaning he needs the support of at least 30% of the assembly’s delegates to advance.
STORY: Faith Winter, a top Democrat in the Colorado Senate, is seeking treatment for substance abuse
STORY : Lauren Boebert recovering from surgery to remove blood clot from leg
STORY: Denver is closing all migrant hotel shelters but one, a signal that services are winding down
STORY: Biden blocks mining on more than 221,000 acres of federal land in Colorado after decadeslong fight
STORY: Colorado business leaders are neutral about the economy — the best they’ve felt in two years
THE DENVER POST: Colorado state senator removed from wage-theft bill after accusation she refused to pay staffer
COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO: New immigrants could apply for driver’s licenses immediately under Colorado proposal
COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO: How a former state Republican became one of Colorado’s biggest climate hawks
COLORADO POLITICS: Colorado lawmakers kill bill mandating ‘nonlethal’ methods to get compensation for livestock killed by wolves
8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Yadira Caraveo gets praise from her former opponents as Biden administration unveils grant to Weld County company
FORT LUPTON — Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo on Tuesday joined three Republican Weld County commissioners, two of them her former opponents in the 8th Congressional District, to celebrate a federal grant made possible by President Joe Biden’s signature legislative achievements.
Golden Aluminum, a Fort Lupton business that processes recycled aluminum, received a $22.3 million clean energy grant funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A sign on a podium used to make the announcement and a banner in the background proclaimed “President Joe Biden Investing in America.”
“Anytime Joe Biden wants to send $22 million to Weld County he’s welcome to do so,” said Commissioner Scott James after touring the plant that employs about 200 people. “I invite him to do it again and again and again.”
James briefly ran for the GOP nomination in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, which Caraveo, a Thornton Democrat, represents, before dropping out in February. State Rep. Gabe Evans, who lives in Fort Lupton, will face former state Rep. Janak Joshi in the June 25 Republican primary that will decide who takes on Caraveo in November.
Why it matters: The 8th District is one of the most competitive congressional districts in the nation this year. The outcome could decide which party controls Congress. But Democrats and Republicans are finding ways to work together in a sign that bipartisanship is still alive — and also that everyone wants to take credit when there’s good news to celebrate.
It’s also a sign that Caraveo is trying to court support across the aisle as she runs for reelection, pushing back against the GOP narrative that she’s too liberal for the 8th District. It seems to be working.
“I love Congresswoman Caraveo. I think she is a lovely person,” James said. “And while she and I certainly had disagreements on policy, I enjoy being around her and anytime she wants to come to Weld County, I’m pleased to be her host.”
Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine, who ran unsuccessfully for the 8th District Republican nomination two years ago, echoed James’ sentiments.
“I worked with Congresswoman Caraveo … in the state House,” Saine told The Sun at the event. “So I think if we can work together on issues that matter to Americans, I think we can get behind things that help our community.”
Caraveo narrowly beat state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, in the district in 2022. The Democrat won in Adams County but lost in Weld County.
With Congress off for two weeks around Easter, Caraveo said she’s been touring the district, often promoting federal funding, like the money set aside for the Fort Lupton plant. Last week, she visited Greeley, where the local Boys & Girls Club received $850,000 for a new teen center.
“When I’m in the district, I’m in Greeley or Weld County probably at least two or three times a week,” Caraveo said.
STORY: Small Colorado mill wins competitive $22M federal grant to decarbonize, use less water
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Corrections & Clarifications
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