Colorado's Governor Jared Polis has confidently declared the "state of our state is strong, resilient, kind, innovative, and free" during his final State of the State Address. This moment marks a reflection on Polis's tenure, one that spanned over seven years of both challenges and achievements, according to the Colorado Governor's Office.
During his tenure, Gov. Polis navigated Colorado through events such as a significant pandemic, heightened inflation, major wildfires, and a complex federal landscape. But despite these obstacles, he kept to a vision rooted in state values and progress. In a statement obtained by the Colorado Governor's Office, Polis spoke of the barriers removed to promote housing development in Colorado, “For too long, we’ve run up against roadblocks – from outdated laws to piles of paperwork – that slow or stop new housing, new transit, and new clean energy from even being built.”
Polis celebrated his administration's initiatives that allowed for secondary dwelling units on properties, improved access to housing near transit and employment hubs, legalized more diverse housing options, supported modular homes, and revitalized condominium construction. He called on the legislature to further this mission by enabling the development of housing on underutilized land and tackling increasing homeowners' insurance costs. Governor Polis shared his commitment to education as well, and the establishment of an integrated department focused on streamlining workforce services.
The state's commitment to safety was also underscored, with Governor Polis reveling in the significant reductions in criminal activity. “We’re seeing real progress. A new report from our Division of Criminal Justice shows that in the past year, violent crime is down over 13%. Property crime is down nearly 18%, representing nearly 14,000 fewer crimes," Governor Polis stated, as per the Colorado Governor's Office, noting the marked decrease in specific crimes like auto and catalytic converter thefts. In these years under Polis, Colorado has strived to make strides as one of the ten safest states in the nation.
