This page is part of an undergraduate assignment at Davidson College.
Political Background of Colorado
Colorado has traditionally been conservative with bouts of liberalism interspersed throughout its history. Currently, the state reports 37% of its registered voters are Republican, 30% Democrat, and 32% Unaffiliated (CQ.com 2004). Republicans have won by several percentage points the past three Presedential elections. Even in the 2000 election, President Bush won by 9 points--over 140,000 votes. Ross Perot was also successful in capturing that large unaffiliated group in 1996, gaining 7 percent of the popular vote (National Journal 2004). The governor along with both current Senators is Republican. The U.S. Senate race between Ken Salazar, current Colorado Attorney General, and Peter Coors, brewery owner and entrepreneur, will be heated for several reasons pertaining to the political background of the state. Salazar is a rare democrat widely accepted in Colorado--elected twice to a statewide office. However, Coors embodies the entrepreneurial and conservative ideals of the state but has never held office. Both men offer qualities that are very different but very appreciated by the population.
Due to its climate and urban nature, Colorado has seen various population surges. Before 1970, the state was more conservative than the rest of the nation. However, the Denver and Boulder areas welcomed intellectual and environment friendly Democrats who held power for the next 15 years. The state did not have two Republican Senators from 1972 until 1995, when Senator Campbell switched parties. When the energy crisis of the 80’s ended and the economy boomed in the 90’s, many talented entrepreneurs moved to Colorado. The state welcomed this population classified as “tech-savvy, family oriented cultural conservatives” (National Journal 2004). This influx of conservative voters allowed Republicans to enact term limits and major tax limitations in the state—now, taxes may not be raised without popular consent.
Hispanics are the primary minority group in the state but there are no minority-majority districts (District make-up). In the 2000 census, the state gained an extra seat and the Democrats drafted a plan for a hotly contested seat in Denver’s 7 th District. Republicans were furious and proposed a new map, which strengthened their base in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Districts--the Colorado Supreme Court rejected this plan (National Journal 2004). In the past two to three years, the Republican party has eagerly tried to recruit voters. They have been successful, gaining the new 7th District seat in 2003. The efforts made by the Republican party to maintain control through the election of Pete Coors, and state's tendency to lean right will be influential in this Senate race. However, Salazar has been elected in statewide elections twice thus proving his ability to campaign succesfully.
© Davidson College, 2004, Department of Political Science, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to Jessica Williams
Created: 9/10/2004. Last updated: 9/1/2004.
Political Science 318 - Strategy
and Ethics in Election Campaigns