The Blue-ing of the Western Slope

Map shows the results of the Colorado governor’s race by county, based on data from the CO Secretary of State

An online interactive map breaking down the the 2018 governor’s race in Colorado by county shows that the western slope is nowhere near as conservative as the far eastern plains of Colorado. It also shows that the western slope has far fewer conservative counties than the eastern slope, and that Mesa County is no longer a “hard core red” county politically. That’s great news.

In Garfield County, adjacent to the northern border of Mesa County, the governor’s race was a dead tie between Jared Polis (D) and Walker Stapleton (R) at 48% to 48%. Pitkin, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel, San Juan, La Plata, Eagle and Summit Counties were all “blue” (went for Polis) in the governor’s race. There are only four hard-core “red” counties left on the western slope according to the map: Jackson, Moffatt, Rio Blanco and Dolores Counties.  Votes for Stapleton from all of those five counties together totaled only a relatively meager 8,086. It’s good to see things changing around here, albeit slowly.

Lodging Tax will help the Progressive Left

As Grand Junction’s increased lodging tax takes effect, more money will be put towards marketing Grand Junction and it’s surrounding areas. More and more people from liberal areas will start noticing our area, moving here, and bringing their businesses here, and along with them more diverse political and religious viewpoints and more open minds. One business, Rocky Mounts, has already relocated to Grand Junction from Boulder, bringing about half it’s employees along with it. It also helps draw the right kind of attention to the western slope when the Grand Junction Economic Partnership promotes Grand Junction as “Boulder 30 years ago.”

So not only is Colorado once again solidly “blue” politically after the election, but thanks to the additional tourism tax we just voted in, we can expect the “blue-ification” of Mesa County to continue, and that’s welcome news for the growing and increasingly active progressive political left in our area.

 

  8 comments for “The Blue-ing of the Western Slope

  1. Great to see the map that shows how much progress we have made on the Western Slope. For most of my 20 years as a county commissioner from San Miguel County, the Slope was pretty strongly red (remember that ’50s phrase, better Dead than Red?). But that’s changing and we’re all the better for it. Now we just need to regain the 3rd Congressional.

  2. Tipton got 2/3 of the vote and the only thing he stood for was his opponent’s “Socialist” agenda. Thats sick, and until it changes, there is no hope for blue on the western slope.

  3. Thanks for the map. , I know things could be worse and I hope change is coming for GJ. But gas and oil won big also. And a big no to increased bicycling lanes and education. I know GJ help vote those down.

    Any time C Gardner is shaking is a good time.

  4. Could you post the link to the interactive map? I couldn’t bring it up. Also, Rachel pointed out that the Colorado legislature is 100% Blue and one vote short in each house of a supermajority. And that we also have a Dem Governor. Cory Gardner should be quaking in his boots!

  5. Well whoever wrote this I’m glad you’re so positive. I voted by mail as I’m currently working out of town. So maybe I’m missing something. But other than a blue governor and blue congressperson did we gain any ground?. I sure don’t feel like it. Look at how Western Colorado specifically Grand Junction voted. I wish it was the blueing of Colorado. But I just don’t believe that. I’m sure there’s just as much hate for all blue things as ever our beautiful Western Slope.

    • Westword also had an optimistic article about the election, saying the blue wave hit Colorado with more force than it did nationally. Dems won the governorship, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General’s office, too. G.J. was as bad as ever, though.

  6. Well whoever wrote this I’m glad you’re so positive. I voted by mail as I’m currently working out of town. So maybe I’m missing something. But other than a blue governor and blue congressperson did we gain any ground?. I sure don’t feel like it. Look at how Western Colorado specifically Grand Junction voted. I wish it was the blowing of Colorado. But I just don’t believe that.

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