Jared Polis in 2025 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Allow faith based partners to build housing we need

To narrow the gap between supply and demand, we must continue to expand choices, speed up timelines, and reduce costs for new housing to come on the market. We are looking to do this in three key ways: working to lean into innovation and streamline the process for modular housing options to be built faster and at lower cost; working to empower builders to build smart stair apartments or homes; and allowing faith based and educational partners to use land they have to build housing we need. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Crime: Need to improve preventing and reducing youth crime

While crime rates are down statewide, one area in need of improvement is preventing and reducing youth crime. That is why my budget calls for additional support to prevent crime from happening, expanded resources for youth, and increased bed capacity at the Division of Youth Services, so young adults who do enter the criminal justice system can get back on track and avoid becoming repeat offenders. Youth offenders will be able to stay closer to home and get the support they need faster. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Crime: We are committed to holding cattle rustlers accountable

Livestock theft is unfortunately not a thing of the past, and we are committed to holding cattle rustlers accountable. With local sheriffs and the Brand Board leading the way, I directed our leaders at the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Safety to coordinate and provide additional support and work closely with local law enforcement to use the full extent of the law to catch and convict wrongdoers. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Energy & Oil: Housing and transit goals go with our climate goals

Our housing and transit goals go hand in hand with our climate goals and our affordability goals. More, better, less expensive transit options, with housing closer to job centers and transit hubs, save money and mean less pollution and less congestion. As they say in The Mandalorian - "this is the way." The way to build a clean energy future, to tap into low cost clean energy, protect Coloradans from volatile price swings of natural gas, save people money, and create jobs. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Families & Children: Universal preschool drives economic mobility

Last year, the first class of universal preschool saved families an average of $6,100, springboarding Colorado from 27th to 7th in the nation for preschool enrollment. Beyond the family savings and learning benefits, new research shows that universal preschool drives economic mobility. On average, parents who enroll their kids in universal preschool earn 20% more than parents without access to universal preschool, and long-term studies show the kids will do better too when they grow up. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Free Trade: Will strongly criticize misguided efforts to impose tariffs

Just as I spoke out against President Biden's solar tariffs, I will strongly criticize President Trump's proposed - and even worse - tariffs that would raise the costs of everything, from groceries to housing to energy and so much more. Alongside Commissioner Greenberg and our hardworking farmers, we opened the Mexican domestic market to Colorado-grown potatoes and will fight against misguided efforts that threaten the progress we've made, hurt our farmers, or drive up the price of groceries. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Government Reform: Continue work to reduce unnecessary laws and regulations

Continuing this work to reduce unnecessary laws and regulations requires your help. I urge the legislature, in partnership with the Colorado Chamber, to take a good look at Colorado's laws and regulations and honestly question whether they are adequately balancing consumer protection, health and safety, while minimizing red tape and reducing costs for the private sector and for Coloradans. I encourage thinking about what more could be done to unleash small businesses and drive economic growth. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Health Care: FDA should approve our prescription drug importation plan

We will continue to call on the FDA to approve our prescription drug importation plan. We don't always find ourselves on the same side of an issue as Florida. But as the only two states taking much-needed and long overdue steps to cut the costs of prescription drugs by importing them from Canada, our patience wears thin for the FDA slow walking our well-qualified application to import lower cost prescription drugs. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Immigration: Hope for legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers

I hope that Congress finally provides legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and those who seek to come out of the shadows. Colorado will not support efforts to deport American citizens, target those on pending legal status, or break up families, creating orphans of American children whose parents are alive and came to this country to build a better life for their families. We will stay true to the core values upon which this country was built: opening the door of freedom and opportunity for all. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

On Jobs: I strongly oppose Colorado becoming a right-to-work state

The Labor Peace Act in Colorado has a long history. Since its inception in 1943, the Act has provided a pathway to require workers to have mandatory dues deducted from their paychecks via a second election. In fact, business interests and organized labor have worked together to preserve this compromise by blocking efforts to move Colorado to become a right-to-work state -- something I strongly oppose. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 9, 2025

The above quotations are from 2025 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2025 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Jared Polis. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Mar 29, 2026