Ding, Dong, the Bridge Is Dead...Governor Polis Surrenders

Give Governor Jared Polis credit for surrendering gracefully...and quickly. His survey polling Coloradans on their thoughts regarding the Colorado150 Pedestrian Walkway just closed sixteen hours ago, and he's already released the results.

There will be no bridge. Not in the proposed, $18.5 million (or $29.5 million, depending on who's counting) form, anyway. As Polis notes on his Instagram account (with a photo that shows him standing firm against any construction):

"Coloradans who took part in our online survey have voted not to proceed with the Colorado 150 Pedestrian Walkway to celebrate our 150th anniversary as a state. Thank you to everyone who shared their opinions and voted. I will commit my time and effort to prevent this walkway from being built, even if I have to chain myself to the Capitol Plaza to stop it!"

According to Polis, over 87,000 people participated in the poll in just five days (although some of those people have confessed to multiple votes). Of those, 3,330 — or 3.8 percent — voted "yes," to move forward with the bridge, with 2,043 voting "maybe". There were over 82,000 "no" votes, accounting for almost 94 percent.

Those numbers are similar to our very informal count based on the first eighty comments posted on our Westword Facebook post regarding the bridge: just two were favorable.

In announcing the results, Polis reminds residents that Colorado's 150th anniversary coincides with the nation's 250th birthday, and that he signed legislation back in 2022 to establish the 250/150 Commission charged with creating a statewide celebration.

“I was inspired that over 80,000 people participated in just five days," he says of the poll. "This amazing level of engagement shows that Coloradans care deeply about our upcoming birthday and the Capitol plaza.”

Is a major celebration just a bridge too far for Colorado? Or is there an idea that would connect better with residents than a hideous, dry waterslide of a walkway?

Polis started planning for the state's 150th anniversary years ago; he started his January 2023 State of the State speech to the Colorado Legislature with a reminder of the upcoming event: "In Colorado, we lead by example, enshrining these values in all that we say and do. By the time America is 250, we hope for a country that also respects freedom and the personal health decisions of women, transgender Americans, and all Americans. We want secure, accessible elections for every voter....

"So when Colorado is 150 years old, what do we want to be?"

Still a good question. If not What would you like Colorado to be? How would you like to see the state celebrate its 150th birthday? Post a comment or send your thoughts to [email protected]. We have a few ideas that we'll be sharing over the next few days, too.