Governor Delivers State of the State Address
Polis State of the State Address
Governor Jared Polis began his second year as Colorado's executive with the annual State of the State address, delivered before the State House.
A handful of protestors were removed from the chambers after shouting for more to be done to combat climate change and called for a ban on fracking.
The governor did address climate change. He told the assembled body that “We are never going to solve climate change or air quality issues if everyone looks at the person next to them and says 'YOU do something about the climate.’”
POLIS: “This is an issue that impacts every single one of us in this chamber, every single one of our constituents, and every single person on this earth. In the western United States, we see firsthand how a changing climate is already impacting our water supply, our outdoor recreation industry, our farming and ranching communities, and taxpayers. It is causing more frequent, more devastating, and more expensive natural disasters. 13 of the largest fires in Colorado’s recorded history have occurred since 2010. All 20 have occurred since 2000.”
The Governor says that’s why the state has taken the bold action to put itself on the path to achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2040.
Polis also said he was glad to see Prop DD pass at the ballot box. DD authorizes the legislature to levy a tax of 10% on sports betting operations and use revenue to fund state water projects. He said In addition to the future revenues that will come from DD, he is calling for another $10 million investment in the Colorado Water Plan.
