What can Colorado Republicans do to regain power?

[Chips]

Move to Wyoming and bloc vote in the primaries. Colorado is a safe D state now.

This. I wouldn't be surprised if Polis were to win by double digits again next year, and by more than he did in 2018. However, I do think it's possible for Republicans to win a statewide office again in the near-future, but they would have to moderate, and it would probably require a candidate similar to Larry Hogan, Phil Scott, or Charlie Baker for them to pull it off. It would also require a strongly Republican-leaning political environment.

I agree. It's not likely but in say 2026 or so, if the GOP has a strong midterm, has a strong nominee and Dems choose to ignore the state, it could go right back to being the battleground it was during the 2000's and early 2010's.

[Smash255]

The Wisconsin comparison is so bad faith. What's driving change in CO is the GOP's anti-science, anti-environmentalist, and frankly racist agenda that does not correspond to a highly-educated, rapidly diversifying, and youthful state's values. Right now, I can't imagine the GOP winning statewide this decade. Their base in CO is way too conservative and anybody who makes it out of the primary would be far to the right of the electorate.

Furthermore, terms like "moderate" are just imprecise and impossible to really interrogate. Specifically, the GOP would need to nominate a candidate who is "moderate' on three specific issues to have a snowball's chance in hell of winning here--all of which is unlikely. We are more like CA than MA in the longterm and I don't see this happening. but anyway...


1. Take an aggressively pro-environmentalist stance. Without that they are DOA no matter what here. A plebiscite to legalize wolves (!) was passed by a majority of the electorate here. Economically, CO might be centrist but it is pretty far left on the environment and climate. However, oil and gas own the GOP here through donations, but also through the base voters being involved in the industry. IMO the contradiction is irresolvable. And tbh wealthy denverites don't care if some goobers in grand junction lose their jobs so long as it keeps the hiking trails pristine.

2. Give up on the LGBTQ and abortion fights. This state is very secular and very science-minded. But evangelicals in the springs are so influential in the party, so again...

3. Stop with the anti-woke BS. That might play well in former confederate states, but here Republicans are literally tying themselves to PR disasters to win the votes of ppl who would vote GOP no matter what. Stapleton is gonna be renamed. Deal with it. Stop personally attacking Jared Polis' eccentric husband (and his sexuality). Drop the conspiracy theories. If this bare-minimum can't be met, not only will the GOP not win, but they will lose in record margins

You're suggesting that for the GOP to win, they would have to nominate a clone of Phil Scott, Charlie Baker, or Larry Hogan. Given how conservative the Republican Party of Colorado is, and who comprises the Republican base, I don't think such a candidate will be nominated anytime soon.

Nope. It's a one party state like California now!

I thought you were describing the kind of Republican candidate who could possibly win in Colorado, under the right circumstances and in the right political environment. A Republican with positions such as the ones you outline here would be a clone of those Northeastern Governors.

I think the main point is the type of Republican that can win statewide in Colorado would have no chance of winning a Primary because of how far to the right the GOP base is in the state and as a result Colorado has basically become a one party state.

[Calthrina950]

The Wisconsin comparison is so bad faith. What's driving change in CO is the GOP's anti-science, anti-environmentalist, and frankly racist agenda that does not correspond to a highly-educated, rapidly diversifying, and youthful state's values. Right now, I can't imagine the GOP winning statewide this decade. Their base in CO is way too conservative and anybody who makes it out of the primary would be far to the right of the electorate.

Furthermore, terms like "moderate" are just imprecise and impossible to really interrogate. Specifically, the GOP would need to nominate a candidate who is "moderate' on three specific issues to have a snowball's chance in hell of winning here--all of which is unlikely. We are more like CA than MA in the longterm and I don't see this happening. but anyway...


1. Take an aggressively pro-environmentalist stance. Without that they are DOA no matter what here. A plebiscite to legalize wolves (!) was passed by a majority of the electorate here. Economically, CO might be centrist but it is pretty far left on the environment and climate. However, oil and gas own the GOP here through donations, but also through the base voters being involved in the industry. IMO the contradiction is irresolvable. And tbh wealthy denverites don't care if some goobers in grand junction lose their jobs so long as it keeps the hiking trails pristine.

2. Give up on the LGBTQ and abortion fights. This state is very secular and very science-minded. But evangelicals in the springs are so influential in the party, so again...

3. Stop with the anti-woke BS. That might play well in former confederate states, but here Republicans are literally tying themselves to PR disasters to win the votes of ppl who would vote GOP no matter what. Stapleton is gonna be renamed. Deal with it. Stop personally attacking Jared Polis' eccentric husband (and his sexuality). Drop the conspiracy theories. If this bare-minimum can't be met, not only will the GOP not win, but they will lose in record margins

You're suggesting that for the GOP to win, they would have to nominate a clone of Phil Scott, Charlie Baker, or Larry Hogan. Given how conservative the Republican Party of Colorado is, and who comprises the Republican base, I don't think such a candidate will be nominated anytime soon.

Nope. It's a one party state like California now!

I thought you were describing the kind of Republican candidate who could possibly win in Colorado, under the right circumstances and in the right political environment. A Republican with positions such as the ones you outline here would be a clone of those Northeastern Governors.

I think the main point is the type of Republican that can win statewide in Colorado would have no chance of winning a Primary because of how far to the right the GOP base is in the state and as a result Colorado has basically become a one party state.

This is exactly what I was saying, but coloradocowboi seems to believe that Colorado would go Democratic even if the Republican nominee were a Baker/Hogan/Scott clone and were running in a strongly Republican political environment.

[Smash255]

The Wisconsin comparison is so bad faith. What's driving change in CO is the GOP's anti-science, anti-environmentalist, and frankly racist agenda that does not correspond to a highly-educated, rapidly diversifying, and youthful state's values. Right now, I can't imagine the GOP winning statewide this decade. Their base in CO is way too conservative and anybody who makes it out of the primary would be far to the right of the electorate.

Furthermore, terms like "moderate" are just imprecise and impossible to really interrogate. Specifically, the GOP would need to nominate a candidate who is "moderate' on three specific issues to have a snowball's chance in hell of winning here--all of which is unlikely. We are more like CA than MA in the longterm and I don't see this happening. but anyway...


1. Take an aggressively pro-environmentalist stance. Without that they are DOA no matter what here. A plebiscite to legalize wolves (!) was passed by a majority of the electorate here. Economically, CO might be centrist but it is pretty far left on the environment and climate. However, oil and gas own the GOP here through donations, but also through the base voters being involved in the industry. IMO the contradiction is irresolvable. And tbh wealthy denverites don't care if some goobers in grand junction lose their jobs so long as it keeps the hiking trails pristine.

2. Give up on the LGBTQ and abortion fights. This state is very secular and very science-minded. But evangelicals in the springs are so influential in the party, so again...

3. Stop with the anti-woke BS. That might play well in former confederate states, but here Republicans are literally tying themselves to PR disasters to win the votes of ppl who would vote GOP no matter what. Stapleton is gonna be renamed. Deal with it. Stop personally attacking Jared Polis' eccentric husband (and his sexuality). Drop the conspiracy theories. If this bare-minimum can't be met, not only will the GOP not win, but they will lose in record margins

You're suggesting that for the GOP to win, they would have to nominate a clone of Phil Scott, Charlie Baker, or Larry Hogan. Given how conservative the Republican Party of Colorado is, and who comprises the Republican base, I don't think such a candidate will be nominated anytime soon.

Nope. It's a one party state like California now!

I thought you were describing the kind of Republican candidate who could possibly win in Colorado, under the right circumstances and in the right political environment. A Republican with positions such as the ones you outline here would be a clone of those Northeastern Governors.

I think the main point is the type of Republican that can win statewide in Colorado would have no chance of winning a Primary because of how far to the right the GOP base is in the state and as a result Colorado has basically become a one party state.

This is exactly what I was saying, but coloradocowboi seems to believe that Colorado would go Democratic even if the Republican nominee were a Baker/Hogan/Scott clone and were running in a strongly Republican political environment.

Even in that case I think they still would be an underdog, however I think the primary point is that the GOP base in the state is so bats*** crazy it makes it impossible for that type of candidate to even come out of a Primary in the first place.

[coloradocowboi]

The Wisconsin comparison is so bad faith. What's driving change in CO is the GOP's anti-science, anti-environmentalist, and frankly racist agenda that does not correspond to a highly-educated, rapidly diversifying, and youthful state's values. Right now, I can't imagine the GOP winning statewide this decade. Their base in CO is way too conservative and anybody who makes it out of the primary would be far to the right of the electorate.

Furthermore, terms like "moderate" are just imprecise and impossible to really interrogate. Specifically, the GOP would need to nominate a candidate who is "moderate' on three specific issues to have a snowball's chance in hell of winning here--all of which is unlikely. We are more like CA than MA in the longterm and I don't see this happening. but anyway...


1. Take an aggressively pro-environmentalist stance. Without that they are DOA no matter what here. A plebiscite to legalize wolves (!) was passed by a majority of the electorate here. Economically, CO might be centrist but it is pretty far left on the environment and climate. However, oil and gas own the GOP here through donations, but also through the base voters being involved in the industry. IMO the contradiction is irresolvable. And tbh wealthy denverites don't care if some goobers in grand junction lose their jobs so long as it keeps the hiking trails pristine.

2. Give up on the LGBTQ and abortion fights. This state is very secular and very science-minded. But evangelicals in the springs are so influential in the party, so again...

3. Stop with the anti-woke BS. That might play well in former confederate states, but here Republicans are literally tying themselves to PR disasters to win the votes of ppl who would vote GOP no matter what. Stapleton is gonna be renamed. Deal with it. Stop personally attacking Jared Polis' eccentric husband (and his sexuality). Drop the conspiracy theories. If this bare-minimum can't be met, not only will the GOP not win, but they will lose in record margins

You're suggesting that for the GOP to win, they would have to nominate a clone of Phil Scott, Charlie Baker, or Larry Hogan. Given how conservative the Republican Party of Colorado is, and who comprises the Republican base, I don't think such a candidate will be nominated anytime soon.

Nope. It's a one party state like California now!

I thought you were describing the kind of Republican candidate who could possibly win in Colorado, under the right circumstances and in the right political environment. A Republican with positions such as the ones you outline here would be a clone of those Northeastern Governors.

I think the main point is the type of Republican that can win statewide in Colorado would have no chance of winning a Primary because of how far to the right the GOP base is in the state and as a result Colorado has basically become a one party state.

This is exactly what I was saying, but coloradocowboi seems to believe that Colorado would go Democratic even if the Republican nominee were a Baker/Hogan/Scott clone and were running in a strongly Republican political environment.

No, I'm saying that candidate won't get nominated.

[Calthrina950]

The Wisconsin comparison is so bad faith. What's driving change in CO is the GOP's anti-science, anti-environmentalist, and frankly racist agenda that does not correspond to a highly-educated, rapidly diversifying, and youthful state's values. Right now, I can't imagine the GOP winning statewide this decade. Their base in CO is way too conservative and anybody who makes it out of the primary would be far to the right of the electorate.

Furthermore, terms like "moderate" are just imprecise and impossible to really interrogate. Specifically, the GOP would need to nominate a candidate who is "moderate' on three specific issues to have a snowball's chance in hell of winning here--all of which is unlikely. We are more like CA than MA in the longterm and I don't see this happening. but anyway...


1. Take an aggressively pro-environmentalist stance. Without that they are DOA no matter what here. A plebiscite to legalize wolves (!) was passed by a majority of the electorate here. Economically, CO might be centrist but it is pretty far left on the environment and climate. However, oil and gas own the GOP here through donations, but also through the base voters being involved in the industry. IMO the contradiction is irresolvable. And tbh wealthy denverites don't care if some goobers in grand junction lose their jobs so long as it keeps the hiking trails pristine.

2. Give up on the LGBTQ and abortion fights. This state is very secular and very science-minded. But evangelicals in the springs are so influential in the party, so again...

3. Stop with the anti-woke BS. That might play well in former confederate states, but here Republicans are literally tying themselves to PR disasters to win the votes of ppl who would vote GOP no matter what. Stapleton is gonna be renamed. Deal with it. Stop personally attacking Jared Polis' eccentric husband (and his sexuality). Drop the conspiracy theories. If this bare-minimum can't be met, not only will the GOP not win, but they will lose in record margins

You're suggesting that for the GOP to win, they would have to nominate a clone of Phil Scott, Charlie Baker, or Larry Hogan. Given how conservative the Republican Party of Colorado is, and who comprises the Republican base, I don't think such a candidate will be nominated anytime soon.

Nope. It's a one party state like California now!

I thought you were describing the kind of Republican candidate who could possibly win in Colorado, under the right circumstances and in the right political environment. A Republican with positions such as the ones you outline here would be a clone of those Northeastern Governors.

I think the main point is the type of Republican that can win statewide in Colorado would have no chance of winning a Primary because of how far to the right the GOP base is in the state and as a result Colorado has basically become a one party state.

This is exactly what I was saying, but coloradocowboi seems to believe that Colorado would go Democratic even if the Republican nominee were a Baker/Hogan/Scott clone and were running in a strongly Republican political environment.

No, I'm saying that candidate won't get nominated.

That's what I was saying as well. It seems as if we misunderstood each other.

[Suburbia]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

[coloradocowboi]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

[Suburbia]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

They are the most well known Republicans in the state; Shanahan and Elway are like God in Colorado because they won the first two Broncos championships, at the end of Elway's career.

How did Colorado become the most educated state in the country for a Western state?

[Calthrina950]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

They are the most well known Republicans in the state; Shanahan and Elway are like God in Colorado because they won the first two Broncos championships, at the end of Elway's career.

How did Colorado become the most educated state in the country for a Western state?

These championships were won over 20 years ago, and Shanahan's career with the Broncos didn't end on the best note. I've said elsewhere that Elway would have been a formidable candidate a decade or so ago, but the best he could do now would be to lose to Polis or Bennet by mid to high single digits.

[coloradocowboi]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

They are the most well known Republicans in the state; Shanahan and Elway are like God in Colorado because they won the first two Broncos championships, at the end of Elway's career.

How did Colorado become the most educated state in the country for a Western state?

Do you live in a timeless vacuum or something? In the first place, only rly dumb, rly old ppl would vote for somebody just bc they were a football hero--and Colorado is short on those voters to repeat myself. But also the end of Elway's career, to repeat myself, was 20 years ago!

They would maybe shave off two points from a regular Republican, tops. And probably less once they started spouting hate to lock up the Trump vote. Which begs the question why they would even do it anyway

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

Nothing, really. The Denver area would have to start losing population and college educated whites would have to start voting Republican again. Neither of which are going to happen anytime soon.

[DaleCooper]

The simple answer is that they need to stop being so silly. Plenty of people are willing to vote for the other party but never do because, these days, a vote for any candidate is basically just a vote for the national party.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

They are the most well known Republicans in the state; Shanahan and Elway are like God in Colorado because they won the first two Broncos championships, at the end of Elway's career.

Elway's major problem is that he doesn't even know how to draft or trade for a decent quarterback. Aside from a brief stint where they poached Manning from his proper home, Elway hasn't run the organization with any credible success.

To answer the more serious (although often it's hard to tell) question:

How did Colorado become the most educated state in the country for a Western state?

Denver is really the only major metro area in the entire time zone. That alone is going to attract a lot of college educated workers. Combine that with

(1) emergence of a tech industry, aided by proximity to research facilities in Boulder and Colorado Springs

(2) revitalization in downtown Denver right around the time of the internet tech boom taking off, making it an attractive alternative to a lot of other cities still facing the late 20th century urban blight

(3) abundance if high-profile ski destinations that attract wealthy vacationers and young adults, some fraction of whom are enchanted enough to stay and put down roots

(4) very hot real estate market with a lot of room to build and expand (especially on the eastern side of Denver, continuing to this day) means lots of new houses for people to buy, but of course those people will have to have the means to afford them (meaning disproportionately cosmopolitan college grads)

[Suburbia]

If Colorado Republicans run John Elway or Mike Shanahan, they could have a chance. Elway and Shanahan would pull in crossover Democrats, the two delivered two Super Bowl titles at the end of the 1990s.

Yeah because that's what the most educated state in the nation's voters really care about: Super Bowl titles in the 1990s...

They are the most well known Republicans in the state; Shanahan and Elway are like God in Colorado because they won the first two Broncos championships, at the end of Elway's career.

Elway's major problem is that he doesn't even know how to draft or trade for a decent quarterback. Aside from a brief stint where they poached Manning from his proper home, Elway hasn't run the organization with any credible success.

To answer the more serious (although often it's hard to tell) question:

How did Colorado become the most educated state in the country for a Western state?

Denver is really the only major metro area in the entire time zone. That alone is going to attract a lot of college educated workers. Combine that with

(1) emergence of a tech industry, aided by proximity to research facilities in Boulder and Colorado Springs

(2) revitalization in downtown Denver right around the time of the internet tech boom taking off, making it an attractive alternative to a lot of other cities still facing the late 20th century urban blight

(3) abundance if high-profile ski destinations that attract wealthy vacationers and young adults, some fraction of whom are enchanted enough to stay and put down roots

(4) very hot real estate market with a lot of room to build and expand (especially on the eastern side of Denver, continuing to this day) means lots of new houses for people to buy, but of course those people will have to have the means to afford them (meaning disproportionately cosmopolitan college grads)

Elway has a business degree, so that is pretty odd; he may just continue as a COGOP donor, I know he supported Trump and Gorsuch but I don't think he is that of a MAGAite or xenophobic....

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

They dont

CO, nV, HI, AZ, CA, WA, OR, IL, MI, WI and PA and NE make up the Eci friendly states or Wildfire states why the South and Mnr W make up the oil and gas states we are polarized based on fossil ⛽⛽⛽

That's why so many of our military are in the South fighting for oil