2022 Colorado Governor Voters Guide
Heidi Ganahl (R) vs Jared Polis (D)
The Candidates
Legal. Signed a 2022 state law codifying abortion and contraceptive rights. Colorado “has been, is and will be a pro-choice state.”
No. Says, “we’re going too far too fast on green energy policies,” and will take a “more balanced” approach to energy production, including fossil fuels.
Yes. Says “we need to beat the climate crisis head on.” Has pledged to power the state’s electrical grid with 100% renewal sources by 2040.
Yes. “Our education system is broken.” The solution is “giving funding back to the families to make choices for their kids.” Supports tax credits for parents who choose homeschooling or private schools.
No. Supports choice among public school options, including public charter schools. “I do not support vouchers going to unaccountable private schools,” Has “opposed for-profit education throughout my entire career.”
“Our kids need to learn about our country’s troubled past and the long-term impacts of racism,” but says schools should avoid “controversial concepts like critical race theory.” Supports parental control of teaching about sex and gender.
Stresses local control of curriculum on race, sex, and gender. “State standards…have to be met. But the curriculum is entirely a local decision in our state.” Signed a 2019 sex education bill that covers gender stereotypes and discussion of LGBTQ health needs.
No. Favors eliminating the state income tax. Has not said how education would be funded. Opposed a 2019 ballot measure that proposed raising higher education funding.
Yes. Signed a 2022 education budget bill that included record per-student funding after supporting restoration of education funding lost during the COVID pandemic.
No. “There’s a lot of questions about what happened in the election….I don’t understand why (the Democrats are) so averse to…people asking questions.” Picked a running mate who said Biden was “elected by the Democrat steal.”
Yes. Congratulated Biden on “a historic inauguration.” Was “proud…to ensure a peaceful transition of power” by sending the National Guard to DC after January 6.
Loosen. Would fight an EPA requirement to sell special gasoline formulated to address air pollution in the Denver area. Would repeal new oil and gas industry regulations.
Tighten. Recently signed a bill to strengthen the state’s air quality rules to go beyond the federal Clean Air Act. Signed a bill to restrict sale of toxic “forever chemicals.”
Less. A “firm believer in the Second Amendment,” calls Colorado’s gun laws “too restrictive,” including magazine restrictions limiting capacity to 15 rounds.
More. Signed new guns laws in 2021 and 2022, to ban open carry near polls, keep firearms from domestic abusers and require stricter background checks.
No. Spoke out against the Colorado public insurance plan, scheduled to be available in 2023, saying it’s “not the broad solution politicians claim.” On COVID, opposed mask and vaccine mandates.
Yes. Signed a 2021 law “to give Coloradans more choice on health care.” Imposed then in spring 2021 lifted a statewide COVID-19 mask mandate. Set a vaccine mandate for state employees, lifted in August 2022.
No recent position found. As a University of Colorado regent, voted for a 2017 resolution to support students enrolled in DACA programs.
Urged Congress to create a “pathway to earn citizenship.” Signed a bill to increase immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses. DACA is making Colorado a “better place.”
Likely harder. “It’s time to tell teachers’ unions to knock it off and get out of our lives.”
Easier. Signed the first-ever partnership agreement with the state employees’ union. Signed a bill expanding bargaining rights to 36,000 Colorado county workers.
Unclear. Doesn’t think Supreme Court will return gay marriage to the states, but Colorado should have that right, because those decisions “should be made by the states.”
Expand. Calls laws restricting LGBTQ rights “un-American.” Signed bills making it easier for transgender people to change their birth certificates and banning “gay conversion therapy” for minors.
Unclear, but has criticized legal use in the state, saying: “No one wants children to use marijuana, but we must recognize that our current laws, policies, and culture are resulting in underage use.”
Likely no. Supported a 2016 study opposing a minimum wage hike. “You either pay people more or you hire more people. You can’t do it all.”.
Likely yes. Signed agreements with state employees and direct-care workers unions for a $15 per hour minimum. (State minimum, pegged to inflation, will be $13.68 in 2023.)
“We need to return to law and order.” “Crime, chaos are overtaking Colorado.” “Providing resources for recruiting and training will be a priority.”
Signed a 2020 law requiring most officers to wear body cameras, banning carotid-control and chokeholds , and removing the qualified immunity defense for officers who do not act in good faith.
Supports student loan reforms, such as “enabling employers to help their teams pay back loans tax-free, restoring bankruptcy protection for student loans, and forcing colleges to risk-share with borrowers.”
Supports debt cancellation and extension of the student loan payment pause. Signed a law banning colleges from withholding diplomas or transcripts because of a student’s unpaid debt.
Likely lower. Supports eliminating the state’s income tax for everyone. “Nine other states have gone to zero income tax. I plan to take Colorado there, too.” Cut the state’s fuel tax in half.
Unclear. Signed a 2022 bill to cut property tax rates as property values soared and delayed a gas tax increase. Supports eliminating state income tax as long as it’s replaced by other taxes or revenue.
Yes. Supports requiring voter ID. Chaired the opposition to Colorado joining a compact of states to elect the US President by popular vote.
No. Signed a bill that lets eligible voters register online, notifies college students to register, and eases ballot return. Also signed a bill providing multilingual ballot access and added a multi-language voter hotline.
We have space to include only candidates polling 15% or more, but check out others including Paul Fiorino (U), Danielle Neuschwanger (C), and Kevin Ruskusky (L).
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