Welcome to island living at its best. You read correctly. Hawaii is not the only island state in the US. Colorado is, too. There are a few differences, of course.
Hawaii is surrounded by pristine azure waters; Colorado is surrounded by states whose politics are boring and predictable. Hawaii is filled with pineapple farms, expansive white beaches and volcanoes. Colorado is filled with independent thinkers, maverick politicians and an engaged electorate.
Tuesdays election reinforced this assertion about Colorado. While conservative rebellion affected much of the rest of the country, Colorado went in both directions, electing a Democratic governor and a Democratic senator; and, at the same time, balancing its congressional delegation from five Democrats and two Republicans to three Democrats and four Republicans.
Plus, Colorados House went to the GOP, while the Senate remained Democrat. The governor-elect is Democrat, but the other executive offices went Republican.
Its all about balance, which is how Colorado has traditionally operated. It is neither squarely Democrat nor squarely Republican.
As the governors race showed, a third party has not been able to win here, either. Perhaps thats why they call them purple mountains majesty.
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