Colorado has historically valued independence, controlled spending, and respect for limits on government. As Senate Minority Leader, let me be clear: Our state is drifting from these principles, and the consequences are growing. As Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood in 2026, we reflect on the journey our state has taken over the decades – especially with this year being the eighth consecutive year under one-party control. Our best days lie ahead, but only if we change course now.
In 2021, nonpartisan staff warned the General Assembly of an impending budgetary structural deficit. This was not political talk, but a straightforward financial analysis. The same caution resurfaced in 2025 and was confirmed in 2026. Instead of fixing the problem, the majority party kept increasing spending faster than revenue could support. Structural deficits are not just abstractions – they mean future cuts, higher fees or efforts to weaken taxpayer protections.
To circumvent these protections, a concerning trend has emerged: the creation of dozens of new enterprises. These government groups work outside the usual revenue limits set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. They may not be called “taxes,” but Coloradans feel them every time they pay. There are fees for fuel, insurance, deliveries, ride-sharing and rental cars. The list keeps growing, making everyday goods and services more expensive.
At the same time, hundreds of new government offices and programs have been created. Some repeat work already being done. Some are simply absurd – like creating an “Office of Saving People Money on Health Care” in a system that has actually made health coverage more expensive and harder to obtain. Government saves people money by limiting its own growth and focusing on core services, not by expanding.
This growth has occurred alongside repeated efforts to weaken TABOR and the limited-growth model that has served working Coloradans well for decades. Instead of staying within our constitutional boundaries, the majority has tried to change them – eroding public trust and weakening the agreement between citizens and their government.
All of this has created a regulatory and economic environment that is tougher on growth. Colorado is now ranked the sixth most regulated state in the country. When companies like Palantir Technologies move their headquarters to states with fewer regulations and lower costs, it’s not a coincidence. It’s a warning sign.
Our most critical industries are also raising concerns. Colorado now ranks first in the nation for agricultural land loss. Agriculture isn’t just an industry – it’s part of our heritage and a key part of rural economies. Policies that impact workforce availability, add regulations and raise costs only speed up this decline.
Energy costs are another challenge. Compared to other Western states, Coloradans face higher electricity and fuel prices because of stricter mandates and more regulations. When energy prices go up, so does the cost of everything else.
Meanwhile, some areas of our state are becoming maternity care deserts. Providers cite low reimbursements, increased regulations and worker shortages. While Medicaid provider rates and services are being cut, elected officials have approved pay raises under a system created by one-party control. That contrast is hard to justify.
Colorado is resilient. We’re making progress in public safety – by imposing stiffer penalties on violent criminals, incarceration numbers are up and some crime rates are declining. We still have great natural resources, an entrepreneurial spirit and strong communities. But resilience doesn’t mean we can’t be harmed.
The way forward isn’t complicated, but it takes discipline: Restore fiscal responsibility, respect our constitutional limits, reduce regulations, protect agriculture, prioritize public safety and strengthen essential services like health care rather than stretch them thin.
Colorado deserves a government that lives within its means, respects taxpayers, and creates opportunities instead of piling on fees and mandates. That's the vision I’ll keep fighting for at the Capitol.
Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa) is Colorado’s Senate Minority Leader and represents District 6 covering Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Dolores, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel counties.
