Governor’s State of the State Message

Coming off their 2013 thrill ride year, the Democrats are “recalibrating” their strategy and message for 2014, a year that will either renew their lease on Colorado government or end it.

Listen to the leadership speeches this week and then, of course, watch their behavior.

The Denver Post Perspective section, “The Year in Review,” printed my list of 2013 political events that highlighted the state’s tilt left and then the reaction. Between today and the Governor’s State of the State speech, we will feature them to help the frame the issues.

Issue 1:

The backfire on guns: recalls and resignations

The Colorado legislature made national news by passing high-profile gun control legislation shortly after the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn. The reaction from pro-gun forces was rapid and powerful. The recall of two Democratic state legislators — primarily over their support for gun-control legislation — was unprecedented and widely covered by national media. The December resignation of a third Democratic legislator who was threatened by a similar recall and the Arapahoe High School shooting presage another year of gun debate.

Issue 2:

Preparing for rollout of recreational marijuana

Colorado officials spent a year preparing laws and regulations to control legalization of recreational
marijuana, which begins Wednesday. Voters legalized pot in 2012 with 55 percent of the vote, and voted to tax it in 2013 with 65 percent. Problems with public drug use, distribution and sales will receive ongoing news as the rollout gets underway in 2014.

See Denver Post: In 2013, the issues that mattered most in Colorado politics