NISP Is on the Move

Glade Rendering, Northern Water

After more than 20 years, the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) has cleared a final litigation hurdle and can accelerate already-begun construction.

In 2005, Ciruli Associates conducted the first of several opinion surveys in the NISP service area of Larimer, northern Boulder, Weld, and Morgan counties. The public was highly supportive of the project and its goals of securing water for the municipalities and other providers.

Today, the project is estimated to cost $2 billion, paid for by water users. In 2005, the estimated cost was less than half a billion dollars. The inflation cost of construction delay, environmental studies, mitigation, and finally litigation more than tripled the budget.

To the extent project delays are reduced, the federal government would be doing a great service for citizens in arid regions. But for now, congratulations to the many water leaders and managers that brought this project to this successful point. All of Colorado can celebrate as another water project joins the list of successful projects completed in the 21st century.

RELATED:
Congratulations to Northern Water Dec 20, 2022
Protecting Colorado’s Water Jan 6, 2022

How Low Can Trump Go?

From left, U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/File

Donald Trump has never been a popular president. At the beginning of his first term, he had a record low approval after a “poorly rated” transition (Ciruli blog, 2-13-17). He started with a 40 percent approval and 45 disapproval which after three weeks became 50 percent (RTC average). Gallup pointed out Trump was the first president since approval polling began (1953, Eisenhower) for start-up approval to be below 50 percent.

His four-year average approval, as recorded by Gallup, was 41 percent with 55 percent disapproval. His approval was in a steady and narrow range with a low ceiling (49%) and a solid 35% floor. On his exit from the White House in 2021, he was at the floor in terms of public approbation.(Ciruli blog,1-20-21)

After a more than a two-month fight against the transition of power culminating in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol, Trump’s approval rating from numerous national polls was in the 30’s:

• Gallup – Trump approval 34%
• RCP – Trump approval 39%, disapproval 57%
• 538 – Trump approval 38%, disapproval 58%

Although his starting approval in 2025 for the second term was higher for him, it was still low and met a surging disapproval that signaled the end of the honeymoon as his negative rating exceeded the positive 53 days (March 14) into the new administration.(Ciruli blog,3-20-25)

• January 20 – RCP / 538 – Trump approval 50% and disapproval 43%
• March 14 – RCP approval 47% (down 3) and disapproval 48% (up 5)

Trump is unlikely to be approved by a majority of Americans during the rest of his term if it flows as the first 53 days, and his negatives could rise above 55 percent. At that point, Trump begins to lose his many Republican “friends” in the House.

RELATED:
Trump Starts at Record Low February 13, 2017
Trump Leaves Office With Record Disapproval January 20, 2021
Trump’s Approval Eclipsed – National Dashboard March 20, 2025

Citizens of the West – Alan Simpson RIP

In 1984, Senator Simpson was among the House and Senate conferees on an immigration reform bill. With him, from left, were Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Representatives Romano Mazzoli of Kentucky, Hamilton Fish of New York and Peter Rodino of New Jersey. Photo: Ira Schwarz/Associated Press

In 1990, Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator from Wyoming, was inducted into the Citizens of the West honor roll for representing the ideals and spirit of the Rocky Mountains West. Simpson, known for his wit and bipartisan spirit, worked across party lines with his House counterpart, Romano Mazzoli (D-Ky), and passed the last comprehensive border bill, which President Reagan signed in 1986.

He was the other Colorado Senator on many issues. He passed on March 14 and will be missed.

“In Washington, D.C., those who travel the high road of humility are not bothered by heavy traffic.”

When We Help Others, We Help Ourselves

Ambassador Isobel Coleman at UCI School of Ecology | Photo Karen Tapia

UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology hosted a talk by former Ambassador Isobel Coleman on the sudden shut down of the USAID. As the former administrator, she made a passionate case for the value of US foreign assistance. “When America halts the spread of disease overseas, it is less likely to reach our own shores; we’re healthier and safer.”

Floyd and KK Ciruli joined Dean Jon Gould and more than 100 faculty, staff, students, and community members.

Floyd and KK Ciruli | Photo Karen Tapia

Trump’s Approval Eclipsed – National Dashboard

The “blood moon” total lunar eclipse is seen above Austin, Texas, on March 14. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)

On March 14, the day of the lunar eclipse, President Donald Trump’s second term passed into negative approval in the conservative polling aggregator RTC (RealClear Politics). His approval advantage (approval minus disapproval) had been narrowing for weeks because his disapproval rating has risen from 42 percent on inauguration day to 48.5 percent on March 14, giving him a 0.7 negative approval rating. Newsweek tracking poll has him at 47 percent approval and 50 percent disapproval (negative 3%).

The primary cause appears to be his barrage of executive orders and associated actions. The public view of the economy, his strongest asset in the 2024 election campaign, has been greatly damaged by the fear of continued inflation and a possible recession, both of which he admits could result from actions and policies begun the first 53 days. Trump’s approval for handling the economy is 41 percent, 7 points below his overall approval. He now has the economic approval rating of President Biden in May of last year. The Dow and S&P are now both in negative territory after double digit gains in 2024.

The National Dashboard is a platform showing the state of public opinion for presidential approval. It tracks key indicators on the economy, direction of the country, and competition for the U.S. House of Representatives. It primarily uses RealClearPolitics (RCP) but makes comparisons to Gallup and other polls, as reported in Opinion Today.

Southern California Polling Professionals Meet Over Tacos in San Diego

Dinner in Del Mar | Photo Courtesy of Barbara Fernandez, MSPH

Floyd and KK met with Southern California pollsters and data experts over a taco dinner in Del Mar, home of the famous horse track, “where the turf meets the surf.” Joining the PAPOR (Pacific Chapter of the American Association of Public Opinion Research) session were researchers from NORC, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Action Research, Competitive Edge and, of course, Ciruli Associates.

Ciruli at JEWISHcolorado

Photos Courtesy of JEWISHcolorado

Floyd Ciruli and Denver City Councilperson Chris Hinds talk at JEWISHcolorado’s benefit dinner for Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld.