Ciruli Associates - Colorado Politics - Polls - Research - Public Policy

In the latest statewide Ciruli Associates poll, immigration followed by education and the economy are the top issues Colorado voters want the governor and state legislature to address. Immigration, which has never appeared in more than 8 years of polling on voter priorities, currently dominates the public agenda.

Top Issue for Governor and Legislature to Address
Immigration	28%
Education/money (more money, better pay, more teachers/smaller class size)	20%
Economy (economic slowdown/unemployment/need jobs)	11%
Health care price/accessibility	8%
Transportation (congestion/traffic/roads)	6%
Tax burdens	5%
Environment (air/water pollution/wildlife)	4%
Water shortage/supply	4%
Growth (sprawl/development/too many people/crowding)	3%
Ciruli Associates, N500, 2006

Question: What is the top issue you want the governor and state legislature to address? [MULTIPLE ANSWERS]

The latest Ciruli Associates voter poll (Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2006), sponsored by the Economic Developers’ Council of Colorado (EDCC), a consortium of local and regional economic development professionals, shows that after immigration, voter priorities are perennial issues. Education (funding) and the economy are usually on voters’ minds and the government’s agenda, followed by health care (price and accessibility), transportation and tax burden.

The statewide survey was conducted by Ciruli Associates with 500 likely Colorado voters. The political questions were part of a survey concerning economic development sponsored by the EDCC, which plans to provide an annual poll on economic development issues. The statistical range of error is ±4.4 percentage points. This analysis is the sole responsibility of Ciruli Associates.

Issue Priorities Since 1998
Over the eight years shown in the timeline below (need 5% or more to be in chart), several issues that were dominant have dropped below 5 percent. Growth was a top issue in 1998 (31%), but was 2 percent and 3 percent in recent surveys. In 2002, water was in third position with 18 percent of voters rating it most important; it is now 3 percent. The state budget showed up for the first time in March 2003 at 8 percent, but now only 1 percent of voters mention it. Immigration may have a similarly short life span.

Ciruli Associates, N500, Oct. 2006

Question: What would you say is the top issue you would like the governor and state legislature to deal with in Colorado?

Partisan Differences
There are some partisan differences among the top issues, even though voters of both parties mention the issues in the same rank order. Republicans rate immigration and transportation higher than Democrats. Democrats rate education nearly as important as immigration and consider the economy and health care bigger issues than do Republicans. Unaffiliated voters more closely align with Democrats on the top two issues of immigration and education.

Issues Priorities and Partisanship
Issue	Total	Democrat	Unaffiliated	Republican
Immigration	28%	26%	26%	32%
Education	20%	23%	24%	15%
Economy	11%	13%	8%	10%
Health care	8%	13%	8%	5%
Transportation	6%	5%	3%	8%
	Ciruli Associates, N500, 2006