DENVER – Colorado took a formal step to the left Tuesday with the inauguration of Democrat Jared Polis, the nation’s first openly gay governor whose overwhelming election victory and party’s consolidation of legislative control promise ambitious changes for energy and environmental regulation, health care and state-funded early childhood education.”I must begin by saying I am very conscious of the fact that there were many brave people over the years who made it possible for someone like me to be standing here giving a speech like this,” Polis said in his inaugural address.[swift-infobox title=”Greeley’s own”]Greeley’s own Dave Young was also sworn in Tuesday, taking his place as Colorado’s treasurer after 7.5 years in the state Legislature, including four on the Joint Budget Committee. Young, a former middle school teacher in Greeley, said his No. 1 priority is to ensure taxpayer money is safe. As for his first act as treasurer? A hug and kiss for his wife, Mary Young. “It may not be official treasurer business, but it’s important,” Young said.[/swift-infobox]Several thousand people gathered on the state Capitol’s west slope on a crisp morning to watch the ceremony under sunny skies.Among those, Rochelle Galindo, Greeley’s newly elected House District 50 representative, who drew comparisons between herself and Polis in a Tuesday afternoon phone interview with The Tribune.”Mine and Polis’ elections in general were very historic in the fact that we’re both openly gay,” Galindo said, adding that they’ll bring diversity in representation and diversity of opinion.Polis is a wealthy tech and education entrepreneur and former five-term congressman from Boulder. He succeeds Gov. John Hickenlooper, a centrist Democrat, former Denver mayor, petroleum geologist and beer pub entrepreneur who served the maximum two terms. Hickenlooper is considering a 2020 presidential run. Polis trounced then-state treasurer Walker Stapleton in November. Health care and Donald Trump’s presidency were the top issues in the campaign. Polis’ inauguration marked a special day for LGBTQ advocates nationwide.For Galindo, who ran on that sense of diversity, as well as her youth and blue-collar background, working Coloradans have an ally in Polis, despite his wealth.”He understands what regular people are going through,” Galindo said. “Right now, he’s a billionaire, but he grew up in a working-class household.”That could be good news for Greeley and Weld County, where Polis was not voters’ first choice. Combined with the Democrat-controlled state Legislature, the prospect of another four years of a governor from the Democratic party has sent some conservatives scrambling back in time – to 2013, when Weld and other counties mounted an unsuccessful attempt to secede from the rest of Colorado. Weld County elected officials are taking more of a wait-and-see approach for now. And Board of Weld County Commissioners Chairwoman Barbara Kirkmeyer even offered cautious optimism when reached by phone Tuesday.”Everything I’ve heard him say, or read about him, he’s promoting all of Colorado,” Kirkmeyer said. “I hope he follows through on his word, and that he thinks of all Coloradans.”At least Tuesday, inauguration day, the focus was on Denver, where Polis and other statewide office holders, including Greeley’s own Dave Young, the state’s new treasurer, basked in the glow of swearing-in ceremonies and more.The planned festivities included an evening “Blue Sneaker Ball,” named after the footwear Polis sported during his campaign. Pop singer and LGBTQ activist Cyndi Lauper and the R&B combo Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats were scheduled to perform. Former state Rep. Diane Primavera, a health care advocate, was being sworn in as lieutenant governor. Primavera is a cancer survivor and most recently led Colorado’s Susan G. Komen Foundation chapter in its battle against breast cancer. Polis has promised action on oil and gas drilling and on marijuana policy.Hickenlooper brokered a tentative compromise on fracking between Colorado’s expanding $32 billion oil and gas industry and environmentalists opposed to drilling.Perhaps that’s where Kirkmeyer’s cautious optimism comes into play. But she’s also confident in the lines of communication county officials have with legislators and the governor’s executive team.”It’s a partnership, and I hope they understand it’s a partnership; because counties actually implement government,” Kirkmeyer said.Polis also oversaw the creation of Colorado’s first-in-the-nation recreational marijuana market, which opened in 2014.Polis once supported fracking limits but has abandoned the stance, saying there’s a place for Colorado oil and gas exports even as he pursues a 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2040. Democratic lawmakers are working this session to strengthen air and water quality rules for the fossil fuels industry.Polis, who was a member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, says he’d pursue more industry financing opportunities and add autism to the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.Polis has called for universal health care, suggesting Colorado could partner with neighboring states to create a regional market. Lawmakers are studying a state-run insurance market for Colorado.Polis and Democrats also will pursue funding for full-day kindergarten – and, if Polis gets his way, universal preschool, modeled after an Oklahoma program.Polis earned his wealth by starting an internet company in college and revolutionizing the online greeting cards and floral retail industries. He served on the state board of education before going to Congress.– Tyler Silvy contributed to this report.