WATCH: Gov. Polis calls out Republicans in State of the State

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivered his last State of the State to a joint session of the Colorado General Assembly on Thursday.

In his speech, the Democratic governor called out Republicans, reflected on his past seven years in office, and looked to policy priorities for his last 10 months in office.

Since the Trump administration took office one year ago, the Democrat-led Colorado state government has often faced off against the federal government over policies and funding cuts. Polis reflected on that.

“Over the past 12 months, it seems like Washington has often been in it to … make life harder and less affordable, to make Americans feel more fearful, more belligerent and more vulnerable,” Polis said. “In the last month alone, the Trump administration has threatened over $1 billion in funding for Colorado.”

As reported by The Center Square, Colorado has filed dozens of lawsuits to challenge federal Republican policies and cuts.

Polis promised to keep up those efforts, while calling out Republicans.

“We are fighting hard to protect every federal dollar owed to Colorado,” he said. “In partnership with Attorney General [Phil] Weiser, our state has successfully defended nearly $900 million. There remains over a billion dollars or more that’s at risk or lost from cuts. Sadly, Washington Republicans — once the self-proclaimed party of states’ rights and small government — today are too often the party of socialism, overreach and intrusion.”

Polis, who was first elected Colorado governor in 2018, pointed to universal free preschool, a rise in electric vehicles, and cuts to the state income and property tax as wins from his time as governor.

He said these were great accomplishments, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We came together … under extraordinary conditions to deliver on promises we made long before the pandemic hit,” Polis said. “Democrats, Republicans, [and] my administration all working together to keep Colorado safe … When we work together, we truly can do big things.”

Looking forward, Polis promised to address rising homeowner insurance costs, lower the state income tax, continue prioritizing transportation improvements and focus on implementing additional wildfire preparedness measures.

He also addressed Colorado’s ongoing budget struggles, which left it in an $800 million shortfall this year. Polis blamed Republicans for this, but promised a balanced budget.

“The current administration of Washington leaves states in the lurch,” Polis said. “My balanced budget proposal includes support to monitor and protect Coloradans against the rising threats of political violence and extremism, along with support for emergency preparedness, response and recovery.”

This year, Colorado will celebrate its 150th anniversary of statehood as the Centennial State. Polis ended his State of the State, his last as governor, by reflecting on that and what it means for Colorado.

“In this time of great division, now more than ever, we must come together as Coloradans — leading with kindness, with respect — to move … our great state forward. Our state is strong, resilient, loving, innovative, free and ever bright with the promise of a Colorado for all.”