Survey shows strong pride in Colorado, broad support for protecting nature, and optimism about the state’s future despite ongoing challenges
DENVER — As Colorado prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary of statehood, a new bipartisan statewide survey finds that Coloradans remain deeply connected by a common set of values centered on protecting the state’s natural beauty, preserving its history, expanding opportunity, and strengthening civic engagement.
The 150th Anniversary survey was conducted by the Colorado Polling Institute in conjunction with Rose Community Foundation and the Daniels Fund. The poll of 655 registered Colorado voters, conducted June 26-July 1, 2026, by New Bridge Strategy (R) and Aspect Strategic (D), reveals broad bipartisan agreement on many of the issues that define Colorado today — even amid political differences.
Notably, protecting Colorado’s lands, waters, and wildlife is a defining value across demographic groups. Nearly every voter (98%) considers protecting Colorado’s natural resources important to the Colorado way of life, with 86% calling it “very important” — making it the highest-ranked attribute to Colorado’s way of life in the survey.
“Natural beauty and outdoor recreation define Colorado’s identity and activities,” said Kevin Ingham, Principal of Aspect Strategic (D). “Respondents most frequently cited the state’s mountains, landscapes, and outdoor recreation when asked what made them most proud about the state; and hiking, skiing, and Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle were identified as uniquely Coloradan traditions.”
Most voters have not yet heard much about Colorado’s 150th anniversary on Aug. 1, 2026. Only 30% of respondents said they had seen or heard “a lot” or “some” about the upcoming statehood celebrations, suggesting significant opportunities to increase public awareness ahead of the sesquicentennial.
And two-thirds of voters (67%) said Colorado’s 150th anniversary should primarily focus on honoring the state’s history. Given multiple choices to commemorate this milestone, respondents also expressed support for recognizing Colorado’s diverse communities (44%), inspiring future generations (40%), highlighting local communities (37%), and expanding civic education (32%).
More than four in five voters (84%) said they are proud to be Coloradans, with nearly two-thirds describing themselves as “extremely” or “very” proud. By comparison, 75% reported being proud to be Americans, which is on par with voters nationwide (78% in a June NBC News survey).
Asked to name distinctly Colorado food and drinks, Coloradans’ top offerings included green chili (18%), local craft beer (14%), Coors beer (12%), and the old stalwart, Rocky Mountain oysters (9%).
“These findings show that while Coloradans may disagree on politics, they remain united by a shared appreciation for the state as a whole, its natural beauty, history, and culture,” said Lori Weigel, Principal of New Bridge Strategy (R). “As Colorado marks 150 years of statehood, this survey provides a roadmap for a celebration that reflects the values residents hold in common while looking toward the future.”
Strong majorities agree that Coloradans have more in common than what divides us (70%, down from 77% in November 2024) and that the state’s best days are still ahead (66%, consistent with findings from CPI’s November 2024 survey).
When asked for their hopes for the next 150 years, respondents’ top responses focused on social inclusion and diversity (12%), political and constitutional values (12%), political ideologies (9%), affordable living (8%), environmental conservation (8%), and preservation of natural beauty (8%).
Other notable findings include:
- Colorado’s founding ideals remain broadly supported today. Nearly all voters agreed that protecting lands and waters (99%), ensuring free and fair elections (98%), making Colorado affordable (98%), and protecting the rights of all residents (95%) remain important principles for the state.
- Freedom and personal choice are highly valued. More than nine in 10 voters (97%) say that ensuring freedom and personal choice are important to Colorado’s way of life, including 79% who deem it very important.
- Most Coloradans believe the state has largely lived up to its ideals. Seven in 10 voters said Colorado has succeeded either a great deal or a fair amount in achieving the ideals on which it was founded.
- Coloradans want stronger civic education. A majority (58%) believe Colorado places too little emphasis on teaching government and democracy, while more than nine in ten (91%) say understanding how state government works is an important characteristic of being a Coloradan.
- Affordability remains a major concern. Four in five respondents (80%) said the American Dream is harder to achieve today than it was a generation ago, reflecting widespread concern across all age groups and income levels. Additionally, 98% said that the state being a place where people can afford to live and work is an important ideal today.
- In what and whom we trust. Coloradans place the greatest trust in small businesses (77%), election administrators (56%), law enforcement (55%), nonprofit organizations (54%), and public colleges and universities (51%), while expressing significantly lower levels of trust in the federal government (18%) and large corporations (23%). Journalists in Colorado were trusted by 47% of respondents.
The findings released today are from CPI’s 10th survey overall and our seventh statewide poll.