Colorado Politics reports on a Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce state-of-the-state luncheon where business leaders raised concerns about Colorado’s competitiveness while Gov. Jared Polis insisted the state remains “competitive.” The piece frames a pretty familiar split: people who build businesses are pointing at cracks in the foundation, while Governor Gaslight is standing in the kitchen saying the smoke alarm is probably just being dramatic.
The article quotes business leaders discussing affordability, talent, and regulatory predictability as major challenges. Paige Goss, founder and CEO of Point Solutions Security, said Colorado once looked like a “massive” launching pad, but now it is a challenge, adding that the state does “an awful job” supporting small businesses trying to grow here. Meanwhile, Polis pushed back, citing below-average unemployment and economic growth.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Metro Denver Chamber board chair Mowa Haile said Colorado is still an amazing state, but “we see cracks.” That is chamber-speak for “the dashboard is blinking red, but we are all still wearing name tags.”
- Business leaders pointed to affordability, talent pipeline problems, and regulatory predictability as serious concerns. In normal English, that means it costs too much to live here, it is harder to hire here, and the rules keep moving around like a toddler with a Sharpie.
- The article notes a report warning Colorado ranked near the bottom among states for welcoming new business openings in 2024. That is not exactly the brochure copy you want under the mountain photo.
- Colorado Politics also cites a Colorado Chamber of Commerce study showing a net loss of 98 firms and 13,607 jobs from the state since 2019. But sure, everything is great. Please enjoy your complimentary gaslight with registration.
- Polis responded by saying, “We’re competitive,” pointing to unemployment and economic growth. That is Governor Gaslight at his finest. The house may be creaking, the roof may be leaking, and the basement may be filling with water, but technically the porch light still works.
My Bottom Line
This is Governor Gaslight at his finest. Colorado is now one of the most expensive states in the nation in which to live. Businesses are staring at a regulatory thicket that feels less like public policy and more like a bureaucratic escape room. People are leaving. Businesses are leaving. Families are doing the math and realizing the Colorado dream now comes with a Denver mortgage, a California rulebook, and a customer-service wait time from a state agency.
And yet Polis says, “Nah, things are great here.”
That is his gift. Jared Polis has an uncanny ability to stay on message despite all evidence to the contrary. Business leaders say there are cracks. Employers say the state is harder to grow in. Reports show firms and jobs leaving. Affordability keeps hammering workers and families. But the governor keeps smiling into the microphone like the waiter insisting your steak is perfect while it is still mooing.
Colorado did not become great because government micromanaged every corner of life. It became great because people could build, risk, hire, drill, farm, innovate, and raise families without being smothered by cost and compliance. That Colorado is getting harder to recognize. And if the people in power cannot admit that, they sure as heck are not going to fix it.
So yes, Governor Gaslight is the nickname, and he keeps earning it. The first step to solving a problem is admitting the problem exists. The governor appears to be stuck on step zero, telling everyone the cracks are decorative.
Source: Colorado Politics
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