Fact-Check & Clarifications

First Statement: 1. Economy: “Colorado dropped to the bottom 10 by 2024.”

Consider:

• A CU Leeds School of Business report noted that Colorado fell into the bottom 10 states for GDP and home-price growth in Q2 2024, not for its overall economy or economic performance across the board. (Colorado Public Radio)

   

• Other sources show Colorado still ranked 10th best overall economy in a WalletHub report (June 2025)(Yahoo, https://www.kkco11news.com)—and was 11th overall in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings(Axios).
  Conclusion: The claim exaggerates partial data (GDP/home-price growth) into a blanket economic collapse.

   

2. Income Growth: “Fell from 3rd to 39th 2018–2024.”

Jace, no credible data backs that specific ranking shift. Without supporting sources, this assertion lacks verification. It could be cherry-picked or from a partisan source without context.
Show some research and facts.

3. Minimum Wage: “World’s highest minimum-wage mandates.”

Consider:

• As of early 2025, Colorado’s statewide minimum wage is $14.81/hour, and Denver’s is nearly $19/hour(Axios).

   

• That’s well above federal levels but not among the world’s highest; several U.S. cities/states and international jurisdictions have higher rates.
  Jace, this seems to be overstated; context about global comparisons is missing.

   

4. GDP Growth: “Colorado producing less… 2025 than 2019.”

Jace, no current data confirms an absolute decline in oil & gas output. Meanwhile:

• Colorado’s overall GDP growth ranking fell to 39th in 2024 from 10th in 2023(The Colorado Sun)—but that refers to growth rate, not absolute production volume.
  Conclusion: Misleading comparison between growth rates and production levels.

   

5. Policy Impacts (SB-181, HB-1286 etc.):

Jace, while Colorado has enacted energy and building regulations, no direct, publicly documented link shows that SB-181 or HB-1286 directly caused economic harm or deterred businesses broadly. Regulatory costs are real, but assigning a definitive net negative without balanced analysis is speculative.
My Conclusion: Speculative and lacking a balanced economic assessment.

6. Unemployment & Job Growth:

Reality:

• The 4.8% unemployment in March vs. 2.7% in 2017 is plausible—but context matters given national trends and economic cycles.

   

• A CU report estimated 1.2% job growth in 2025, expected to add ~36,700 jobs(Axios).
  Jace, the numeric contrasts appear accurate, but omitting context (e.g., national rates, recovery from pandemic) skews interpretation.

   

7. Housing Affordability, Crime, Test Scores, Homelessness, etc.:

Jace, Many of these issues are real challenges—but the article presents them primarily in isolation, without comparative context (national trends, urban vs. rural variation, policy responses). For example, crime has risen post-pandemic nationwide; test scores dropped similarly elsewhere.

8. Drugs & Overdoses:

Jace, The rise in overdose deaths is a documented issue nationally and in Colorado—though the claim “corresponding with decriminalization of all illicit drugs” oversimplifies causality and ignores broader influences (e.g., fentanyl proliferation).

9. Public Approval, Fertility, Births, Abortion Rates:

Jace, the public approval split (52% Democrats vs. 16% Republicans) may reflect partisan polarization more than objective performance.

• Declining fertility and birth rates are well-established trends, nationally and in Colorado, but tying them directly to “crime” and “livability” is speculative.

   

• The abortion increase (8,873 in 2017 to 14,691 in 2023) may be accurate but lacks per-capita normalization or context—for instance, demographic changes or reporting improvements.

   

Why It Reads as Politically Biased

1. Selective Emphasis on Negative Trends: The article highlights negative data points without equal weight on positives, such as economic rankings still in the top 10, a strong education rank, a diversified economy, and job growth projections.

    

2. Attributing Causal Links without Evidence: It blames regulations (e.g., SB-181) for economic harm without citing empirical studies or acknowledging trade-offs (e.g., long-term climate and health benefits).

    

3. Loaded Language: Phrases like “oppressing legacy counterparts,” “obstructed energy production,” and “visible crises” hint at ideological framing rather than neutral reporting.

    

4. Imbalanced Sources: The framing seems aligned with narratives favoring deregulation and energy-sector growth, without including counterarguments (e.g., environmental or social benefits of regulation).

    

5. Omission of Contextual Data: Fails to mention where Colorado remains competitive (e.g., economy rank 10th–11th, business rank 11th in CNBC 2025)(Axios).

    

Some data points are accurate (e.g., lower growth ranking, rising minimum wage, job growth slowdown) when properly contextualized.

• Many claims lack context or evidence and appear exaggerated or selective.

   

• Overall tone and structure suggest a political slant—favoring narratives critical of regulation, energy policy, and Democratic leadership.

   

Jace, here is a more accurate “Colorado Economic Report Card” highlighting where the state continues to shine, while maintaining balanced context.

Colorado Economic Highlights: 2025 Outlook

1. Strong Historical Economic Performance

• From 2008 to 2023, Colorado was among the fastest-growing state economies. However, the state is now settling into more moderate growth. (Axios)

   

• Still, WalletHub ranks Colorado 10th in the nation in 2025 for overall economic strength. It performs exceptionally well in startup activity (9th), high-tech job share (7th), and median household income (5th). (NorthFortyNews.com)

   

2. Resilient GDP and Income Growth

• Since 2011, GDP per capita in Colorado has increased by 78.6%, ranking 8th nationally. (Common Sense Institute)

   

• Median household income rose 53.4% (from $58,629 to $84,954) between 2011 and 2023, outpacing inflation (~45.4%) and landing at 9th in the U.S. (Common Sense Institute)

   

• Poverty rates also improved, dropping nearly 4 percentage points and boosting Colorado from 17th to 4th in poverty reduction performance. (Common Sense Institute)

   

3. Healthy Business Environment & Innovation

• CNBC’s 2025 “Top States for Business” ranks Colorado 11th overall, up from 16th in 2024. Notable strengths include workforce quality (7th), innovation (technology & innovation: 9th), and infrastructure (11th). (CNBC, Axios)

   

• The Colorado Chamber’s 2024 Scorecard also identifies progress in startup activity, rising technology jobs, improved energy ranking, and better health metrics, including obesity reduction. (Colorado Chamber of Commerce)

   

4. Robust Job Market Dynamics

Q1 2025

• Job vacancies surged 12.8%, placing Colorado 3rd in the nation for vacancy growth. Median salary listings rose 4%. (Colorado Chamber of Commerce)

   

Q2 2025

• The trend continued: Colorado ranked 7th for job vacancy growth, even as the national trend declined, and median full-time salaries increased 3.9%, improving the state’s national ranking in salary listings. (Colorado Chamber of Commerce)

   

Employment Forecasts

• 2024 added ~46,800 jobs (+1.6%).

   

• 2025 is projected to add ~36,700 jobs (+1.2%) across 10 of 11 sectors, mainly driven by education, health services, construction (+6,000 jobs), professional/business services, and natural resources/mining. (University of Colorado Boulder, The Colorado Sun, Axios)

   

• In Colorado Springs, employment grew 1.8% year-over-year, aided by advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and cybersecurity investment. Overall adjusted GDP growth was 2.3% (QoQ annualized) and 3.3% year-over-year. (Gazette)

   

5. Economic Strength from Long-Term Metrics

• According to the “Rich States, Poor States” index (ALEC-Laffer), Colorado ranks 6th in adjusted economic outlook for 2025, with top-10 standings in cumulative GDP growth (7th), domestic migration (8th), and non-farm employment growth (7th) from 2013–2023. (Rich States Poor States)

   

6. Emerging Growth Sectors

• Colorado is among the U.S. leaders in wind energy jobs per 10,000 residents, with a projected 60% growth from 2023 to 2033. It also ranks seventh in onsite renewable energy projects. (Axios)

   

Colorado Economic Report Card: Summary Table

Concluding Perspective

Colorado’s economy continues to demonstrate breadth and depth:

• Its long-term success in economic, income, and employment growth remains evident.

   

• Despite some moderation in growth, job creation remains positive, particularly in healthcare, education, construction, and tech.

   

• Innovation and startup activity are significant strengths, supported by high median incomes and improving business rankings.

   

• The state’s energy transition and renewable energy job growth signal a forward-looking economy.

   

This balanced view affirms Colorado’s resilience, innovation, and competitive positioning—even in the face of some slowed momentum.

My Final Thoughts

In contrast, a more balanced report would acknowledge both strengths (economic resilience, diversification, continued national competitiveness) and challenges (slowing growth, affordability, social issues). The current article leans heavily into negative framing, tying varied outcomes to partisan causality—a classic sign of bias over analysis.