The annual State of the State speech in Colorado is as much a ritual as a tradition, and Governor Jared Polis s 2021 version, delivered at the Colorado Capitol today, February 17, was no exception. But the speech was also a way to judge the enthusiasm of Polis s fellow Democrats (and occasionally Republicans, too) for his assorted proposals, policies and prognostications, as evidenced not only by when members applauded, but how enthusiastically they did so.
Before Polis s arrival, the House chambers were as full as at any point since the start of the pandemic. Not only was the room crowded with senators, representatives and journalists, but special guests were present, too, including U.S. reps Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, as well as health-care workers, educators and more. Polis even gave a shout-out to his seventy-something parents, whom he said he hasn t been able to see in person for a year.
Gov. Jared Polis told lawmakers during his third annual state of the state that Colorado has been “bruised, battered, and shaken to its core” over the last year. But with vaccines being rolled out and case numbers dropping he sounded optimistic about what lies ahead.