In a change from CPI’s Nov. Exit Poll, both Democratic Party and Republican Party are now viewed unfavorably by majorities
DENVER — Majorities of Colorado voters say Trump administration tariff policies and efforts to fire federal employees and cancel contracts will have negative impacts on the state, according to the Colorado Polling Institute’s latest statewide survey of voters.
And almost three-in-five Colorado voters now view both major parties unfavorably. The Democratic Party (39% favorable/ 56% unfavorable) has seen a steep drop in its favorability since November (from +7 to -17), driven almost entirely by more negative assessments from those who supported the party in the 2024 presidential election. And though still viewed unfavorably by a majority of voters (39% favorable/ 56% unfavorable), the Republican Party’s standing has improved slightly (from -22 to -17), driven by more favorable assessments by those who supported Trump for president.
The online poll of 615 likely 2026 Colorado voters was conducted March 27-31 by the bipartisan team of Aspect Strategic (D) and New Bridge Strategy (R) and has a margin of error of +/- 3.95%. Poll findings on state issues and elected officials were released earlier this week.
When it comes to Trump Administration policies:
- In responses collected before President Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, nearly three-in-five (59%) respondents say his tariff policies will have a negative impact on Colorado residents, though nearly a third (32%) say the impact will be mostly positive.
- Similarly, 60% of voters say Trump’s actions firing federal employees and cancelling federal contracts will negatively impact residents in the state and one-in-three (33%) say the impact will be mostly positive.
- And 53% say Trump’s deportation policies have gone “too far,” compared to 17% who say they do not go far enough.
“On the Trump Administration’s policies we’re seeing highly partisan responses, with Democrats and independents saying these policies will have a negative impact on Colorado residents, and nearly 70% of Republicans saying these policies will have a positive impact,” said Lori Weigel, Principal of New Bridge Strategy (R). “This is just another indication of how nearly all policies at the federal level are being viewed through very different lenses depending on partisan affiliation.”
“Colorado voters are expressing a lot of frustration with what they are seeing from the Trump Administration, including on the economy, immigration, and federal spending cuts,” said Kevin Ingham, Principal of Aspect Strategic (D). “The parties aren’t spared from this frustration either, with many Democrats feeling their party could do a better job pushing back, and large majorities of Independents saying Congressional Republicans aren’t doing enough to check and balance the administration.”
A majority of Colorado voters have unfavorable views of President Trump (58%, including 55% “very unfavorable”), while 40% have a favorable opinion of him. Majorities also have unfavorable views of Elon Musk (59% unfavorable/ 37% favorable) and are distrustful (54% distrust/ 31% trust) of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE).
Over seven-in-10 (71%) Colorado voters say Republicans in Congress should act as a check and balance on the Trump Administration. More than eight-in-10 (86%) of those who say the GOP needs to act as a check and balance on the administration believe that Republicans in Congress are not doing enough on this front — a sentiment shared by 84% of independents.
Voters are divided on whether Congressional Democrats should try to find common ground with the Trump Administration (52%) or oppose the Trump Administration as much as possible (48%). Among registered Democrats, 83% say Congressional Democrats should oppose the Trump Administration as much as possible, while 17% say find common ground. Meanwhile, independents divide evenly. Over three-quarters (78%) of all voters who say Democrats in Congress should oppose the Trump Administration as much as possible agree with the statement that “Democrats have the ability to limit his agenda if they just tried harder.”
Immigration findings
A majority of Colorado voters also say Trump has gone too far (53% too far/ 26% about right/ 17% not far enough/) in deporting illegal immigrants, which is higher than results of a recent nationwide survey on the question (45% too far/ 39% about right/ 16% not far enough). The “too far” numbers in Colorado are driven by Democrats (85%) and independents (57%), while Republicans think President Trump has done about the right amount (53%) or not gone far enough (34%).
Fewer voters than in 2008 now say immigration “hurts Colorado more than it helps,” but there is also a significant increase in the number of voters who say they are unsure. A plurality in this most recent survey (44%) say immigration helps, 38% say it hurts and 18% say they are unsure. In 2008, 42% said it helps, 50% said it hurts, and 8% were unsure. Again the response is almost entirely partisan. Among those who support the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, 10% said immigration helps and 78% said it hurts whereas non-MAGA respondents were 60% help vs. 19% hurts.