(The Center Square) – Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently said in an interview that he plans to ensure everybody knows that Colorado is a place for “everybody,” in light of President-election Donald Trump taking office in just 35 days.
“Many Coloradans feel under assault from a potential Trump administration,” said Polis, a Democrat. “Whether they’re members of the LGBTQ community, whether they’re immigrants, I want to make sure that people know that Colorado is a place for everybody.”
Polis was quickly criticized for his statement, with many pointing out that 43% of all voters in Colorado voted for Trump in the 2024 election.
The governor has been outspoken in his critique of Trump’s tariff plans, stating that they could “mean higher grocery prices for all of us.”
Yet, on other issues, Polis has notably stepped out of his party’s line. Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is one of those issues.
“Whatever RFK is and isn’t, he’s certainly not a pharmaceutical lobbyist,” Polis told NPR. “So, I think having somebody there that has some independence is better than the alternative.”
He even congratulated Trump upon his election.
“I hope President-elect Trump and Vice-President-elect Vance take this opportunity to try to unite our country and set aside the campaign’s divisive rhetoric,” Polis said following the election. “No matter what, the Free State of Colorado will remain a beacon that reflects the values of economic liberty and personal liberty that this country was built on, and we will do everything in our power to protect all Coloradans and our freedoms.”
Still, just days after Election Day, Polis announced that he is planning to partner with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to co-chair the Governors Safeguarding Democracy alliance.
The group states its goal is to “fortify democratic institutions in the states and ensure the rule of law serves all people.”
Polis said that now is the “moment” for action, though Trump was not specifically named. GovAct, which has sponsored a similar Reproductive Freedom Alliance, is supporting the initiative.
“In this moment, protecting democracy has never been more relevant or important, and doing so demands strong leadership at the state level,” he added. “Governors Safeguarding Democracy shows our shared dedication to defending the democratic principles upon which our country is built.”
