Guest Columnist - Colorado has turned into a new kind of Wild West

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Ronna McDaniel

Republican National Committee Chairwoman

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For generations, Coloradans have taken pride in their state’s self-reliant, independent, and rugged spirit. After all, the Centennial State was built by cowboys, goldminers, and pioneers. Now, however, Colorado has turned into a new kind of Wild West—one where crime rates and drug overdoses are on the rise, abortion is legal up to birth, and the cost of living is out of control. But following the Colorado GOP’s assembly, there’s hope that Republicans can reverse the dangerous trends destroying the state.

Consider the surge in criminal activity. Colorado’s violent crime rate has spiked to a 25-year high and it’s only getting worse. Last year, Denver recorded the highest number of homicides since 1981. Significant increases in organized “smash-and-grab” retail theft and carjackings added up to between $1.2 and $1.6 billion in damages. In fact, theft has become such a part of life that one Denver business has begun charging a “crime spike fee” to make up for his stolen inventory.

Colorado has turned into a new kind of Wild WestColorado has turned into a new kind of Wild West

Meanwhile, drug overdose deaths are on the rise. Last year, the state witnessed a 42% increase in fentanyl overdose deaths. And no one is safe: these lethal drugs have even been found on children’s playgrounds. Democrats may try to shift blame or claim they’re tough on crime, but it was their support of the defund-the-police movement, leniency on fentanyl possession, and Attorney General Phil Weiser’s “bail reform” policies that created a public safety crisis in the first place. Democrats’ lack of leadership and misplaced priorities are turning Colorado into a land of outlaws once again.

It’s not just Colorado communities getting more dangerous. Democrats’ radical abortion policies are waging war on the unborn. Last week, Democrat Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill enshrining abortion on-demand into law, allowing

the abortion of babies up until the moment of birth. The law blocks state and local governments from enacting protections that defend the sanctity of life and could even coerce doctors into performing abortions against their consciences. This unapologetic support for abortion is out of step with the majority of Coloradans. According to a 2020 Cygnal poll, 63% of Coloradans said unrestricted abortion goes too far, and just months later, 1.3 million Coloradans voted to block abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy. But Democrats’ push for on-demand abortion through all 40 weeks shows they couldn’t care less about what voters believe.

When they’re not pushing for radical social policies, Democrats are advancing a destructive economic agenda—and Coloradans are feeling the pinch. Everything from gas to groceries costs more, making it increasingly expensive

to accomplish basic tasks like driving to school and putting food on the table. In the West, inflation has hit an astounding 8.7% and the average price of gas is nearing $4.00 per gallon. But when it comes to solutions, don’t look to Democrats. Gov. Polis and Sen. Michael Bennet supported Joe Biden’s reckless spending policies that caused inflation to surge. And it was Polis himself who signed a gas tax hike on hard-working families, making it even pricier to fill up at the gas station. With such a poor track record, it’s no wonder more people are moving out of the Centennial State rather than moving in.

Apparently, Democrats in Denver think the entire state is full of left-wing activists who believe in their radical vision, but Republicans know that’s not true. Democrats have abandoned countless Coloradans who still believe in law and order, the sanctity of life, and economic opportunity. This November, they’ll make their voice heard. Thanks to Sen. Bennet’s incompetence and the races in CD-7 and CD-8, Republicans have a unique opportunity to turn the tide of Colorado politics. Until then, the COGOP will continue to hold Democrats accountable and fight for the spirit of freedom and prosperity that made the Centennial State great.