As liberal anger rises against Trump, even Colorado's statehouse isn't immune from polarization

Last edited Tue Feb 14, 2017, 08:23 PM - Edit history (1)

President Donald Trump hasn’t stepped foot in Colorado — or even tweeted about the state — but his shadow has loomed large over the statehouse in the first weeks of the legislative session.

After an opening address in which House Speaker Crisanta Duran pledged to fight back against perceived attacks from the White House on minorities, Democrats have made good on that promise. They have used the bully pulpit — and pointed legislation — to stake out a position as a bulwark against the new administration.

Many Republican lawmakers feel ambushed, backed into a fight on polarizing national issues. But others have jumped eagerly into the fray with headline-grabbing measures of their own.

It’s a dynamic that could threaten Colorado’s self-professed reputation for eschewing divisive, Beltway-style politics for middle-of-the-road compromise. And Democrats, in particular, show few signs of de-escalating the conflict.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/13/donald-trump-colorado-legislature/