So far, more than 4,500 Coloradans have told us and other Colorado newsrooms what they want candidates to focus on this election.
The vast majority of respondents to date self-identify as white and liberal or moderate and live along the densely populated — and deeply blue — Front Range. But voters in red, rural communities and purple suburbs are also responding. And lots of people have lots they want to say to politicians:
From Grand Junction: “I want everyone to be consistent in their framework and philosophies issue to issue. Wanting to control bodies and love and calling for unfettered freedom for guns and LLCs is inherently incongruent. I want somebody who values civil liberty.”
From Fort Collins: “The pursuit of unsustainable (population) growth is inexcusable and should be dropped. This includes the ridiculous YIMBY (aka real estate developer) policies.”
From Fremont County: “Illegal immigration, violations of our Constitutional 2nd right amendment, stopping the Trump tax cuts which will result in higher taxes, economy/cost of living, increasing oil and gas production.”
From Fort Morgan: “I would like them to talk about how high and unreasonable the cost of living has become. Do we pay rent and insurance but go hungry?”
From Denver: “Housing, housing, housing. The cost of living is too high and it is primarily driven by the high cost of housing. We need to break down legal barriers and construct housing of all types, especially in dense urban areas and around transit.”
From Durango: “The homeless situation is out of control. Vets, young families, panhandlers on corners, and those without jobs, how do states handle this?? Immigrants brought in who are seeking asylum?? Monies going out to countries in need vs. our own country… I think we need to focus on our economy and our homeland first.”
From Littleton: “Need to address returning Roe vs Wade. Such a big deal that made our country turn back time. No one should govern another person’s body. Period.”
From Alamosa County: “How they plan on limiting government involvement in my life. Define their priorities so that I may determine how they align with mine.”
From Monte Vista: “Water equity, rural equity, less guns, state bank for small biz loans, less throw-money-at-them public transportation…”
From Aurora: “What would you do to reduce wealth inequity? Would you support/subsidize starter home-building initiatives? Would you support before and after school child care for elementary students?”
From Colorado Springs: “Enshrining marriage equality in the Colorado constitution… LGBTQIA+ rights are at the top of my list. I identify as lesbian/queer, and my wife (they/them) is nonbinary and masc-presenting. The threat to our personal liberty from the right is terrifying.”
Students this year pitched four bills for lawmakers.
One that passed requires school boards create written policies barring discrimination on the basis of gender expression, including the use of a student’s preferred name.
A lightning strike that killed a Jackson County rancher and more than 30 of his cattle was the latest tragic outcome in a state that’s no stranger to wild electrical storms that seem to come out of nowhere.
Donald Trump's former lawyer Jenna Ellis, who pleaded guilty in Georgia for trying to overturn election results in that state, is temporarily barred from practicing law in Colorado.
This and more in today's edition of The Sunriser newsletter:
Search and rescue teams could have another life-saving tool to find missing people in the backcountry with a new technology that’s being tested by Durango-based helicopter company.
For the first time ever, you’ll be able to watch hyperkinetic dogs wiggle through a slalom course while you cold-plunge and listen to the Fleet Foxes — live — in Denver.