Voters support bans on social media for kids and cell phones in classrooms, express skepticism toward data centers, and show more concern about AI than rest of nation
Use of AI among Colorado voters surges 15 points in four months, even as a majority say the risks outweigh the benefits
DENVER — Colorado voters have a lot on their minds when it comes to technology this spring. They want kids off social media and phones out of classrooms. They’re watching the potential of data centers opening in the state with a skeptical eye. And while more Coloradans are turning to artificial intelligence tools than ever before, they’re doing so with growing unease.
According to the latest Colorado Polling Institute survey released today, concern about technology’s effect on children is near-universal. Nearly nine-in-10 Colorado voters (87%) say they are extremely or very concerned about social media’s impact on children’s mental health. That worry cuts across party lines and translates directly into policy support: 71% of voters back banning children under the age of 16 from social media platforms, with 40% strongly in favor.
The statewide poll was conducted March 20–25, 2026 among 613 likely 2026 Colorado voters by the bipartisan team of New Bridge Strategy (R) and Aspect Strategic (D), and has a margin of error of +/- 3.96%.
Support for keeping phones out of classrooms is even stronger, with 79% of Colorado voters backing a ban on cell phones in K–12 classrooms (and 56% expressing strong support). Non-parents (82%) are actually more likely than parents with children at home (70%) to support classroom phone bans. When it comes to the social media age restriction, however, there is no difference at all: parents and non-parents alike come in at exactly 71% in support.
“It’s rare to see this level of agreement in politics today, but on kids and technology, Coloradans are on the same page,” said Kevin Ingham, Principal of Aspect Strategic (D). “Across demographic and political lines, Coloradans share deep concerns about social media’s effect on kids and support policy interventions that limit phones in classrooms and social media use for younger children.”
DATA CENTERS
Concerns about technology extend well beyond kids. As Colorado becomes an increasingly attractive location for data center development, voters are skeptical about what that growth means for the state. By a 40-point margin, Coloradans say having more data centers here would bring more downsides (57%) than benefits (17%). Another 12% say the impact would be neutral, and 14% say they are not yet familiar with data centers.
Among those who see downsides, concerns center on water consumption and scarcity (22%), high energy use (20%), rising utility costs for residents (12%), and environmental harm (11%). Those who see a benefit most often point to job creation (36%) and economic growth and tax revenue (19%).
Younger Coloradans are the most familiar with data centers and the most concerned about expanding them. Seventy-one percent of voters ages 18–34 say more data centers would bring more downsides, the highest share of any age group surveyed.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Skepticism also exists alongside a surge in AI use. Seventy-five percent of Colorado voters now say they interact with AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, up from 60% in November 2025. That’s a 15-point jump in just four months. Younger and more educated voters are leading the way: daily or near-daily use is highest among voters ages 35–44 (44%) and those with post-graduate degrees (40%). At the other end of the spectrum, 38% of voters 65 and older say they never use AI tools at all.
But increased use has not brought increased comfort overall. Sixty-nine percent of Colorado voters say they are extremely or very concerned about artificial intelligence technology, slightly higher than the 63% of Americans who said the same in a national December 2025 Fox News poll. Coloradans are also more likely to say the risks of AI outweigh the benefits: 45% of Colorado voters feel that way compared to just 23% of Coloradans who say the benefits outweigh the risks. Nearly one-in-three Colorado voters say they are unsure.
“The minority of Coloradans who use AI daily or more are the ones who currently believe the benefits outweigh the risks by a 14-point margin (43% benefits and 29% risks),” said Lori Weigel, Principal of New Bridge Strategy (R). All other Coloradans overwhelmingly view AI with great trepidation. Even casual users believe the risks outweigh the benefits by a 26-point margin (21% benefits and 47% risks).”
The findings released today are part of CPI’s Spring 2026 statewide survey, which is our ninth survey overall and our sixth statewide survey. Toplines and crosstabs for this segment of the poll are attached. The remainder of the results will be released Wednesday, following a media briefing scheduled for 11:15 a.m. MT (register here).