Colorado Sun Readers Debate Governor Polis’s Political Pivot

What happened to Jared Polis? More specifically, why is a man who once seemed destined for steady, moderate governance suddenly acting like he’s trying to sell his soul to the highest bidder?

That was the question Mike Littwin posed in his column last Sunday, and he didn’t just ask it — he set a trap for the readers of The Colorado Sun. He wanted to know if his governor was suffering from self-sabotage, a midlife crisis, or an delusional belief that he could become president by joining the ranks of billionaire tech oligarchs, even if Forbes says he’s a few hundred million dollars short.

The response was immediate and voluminous. Littwin received dozens of answers, turning his column into a contest where the five best explanations win a free Colorado Sun cap or T-shirt. But beyond the merchandise, the readers provided a clear picture of a politician in transition.

Many argue that Polis has always been a libertarian in sheep’s clothing, now ready to shed the wool for a tech-bro identity. It makes sense on the surface, though as Littwin notes, actual libertarians don’t necessarily see him as one of their own. And there’s the practical matter that no libertarian is likely to win the presidency in this lifetime, regardless of how many books they write.

Others see a path similar to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who jumped parties when Colorado was deeply red. That move worked out well for Campbell. But Polis is different. He is gay, pro-choice, and advocates for universal healthcare. Does that sound like someone Republicans would suddenly embrace?

Terry Cannon of Castle Rock offered a sharper take. In his letter, Cannon suggested Polis could convince Republicans he’s one of them by going through a “Marcus Bachmann ‘Pray Away the Gay’ course.” Then, he’d need to get a divorce. That would be another checkmark in the GOP qualifying column.

“He could fake an on-line sexting affair with a teenage girl,” Cannon wrote, “another check mark!”

It’s a humorous observation, but it highlights the real uncertainty: Is Polis changing his ideology, or is he just changing his packaging?

Littwin also points to recent actions that fuel the confusion. Polis’s praise for RFK Jr., his commutation of Tina Peters, and his recent appearances on right-wing TV blasting socialism all suggest a pivot. Yet, Polis knows Melat Kiros is a democratic socialist and doesn’t address the distinction, as if there’s a socialist under every bed.

The math holds up for a midlife crisis, but the political math is messier. To hear the readers tell it, Polis isn’t just having a crisis; he’s running a campaign for a future that hasn’t arrived yet. He is trying to reconcile his past as a moderate Democrat with a potential future as a libertarian-leaning Republican or an independent tech-bro.

The question now is whether the voters of Colorado will follow him across that divide, or if they’ll watch from the sidelines as he tests his new identity. As Littwin prepares to announce the contest winners, the locals have spoken, and they’re ready to help their governor figure out who he really is.