Contact: Amy Fletcher, (720) 460-0276

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Denver, CO – A statewide survey released today by Healthier Colorado shows Democratic Congressman Jared Polis currently leading Republican State Treasurer Walker Stapleton by 7 points, 47 percent to 40 percent, respectively.

The survey, which polled likely Colorado voters, also showed a strong majority — regardless of party affiliation — support several key health policies, including increasing the purchase age of tobacco to 21 years, increasing the tax on e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products and allowing certain people to buy a health plan from the state Medicaid program.

Keating Research and Magellan Strategies jointly conducted the survey, interviewing 600 likely 2018 voters over the phone from Sept. 18, 2018, to Sept. 20, 2018. With mail ballots arriving in Colorado households in less than 20 days, this research provides valuable insights into how Colorado voters view key health care issues.

“We see a lot of division in politics today, but when it comes to health issues, Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters in Colorado are uniquely united,” said Jake Williams, executive director of Healthier Colorado, a non-partisan nonprofit that advocates for policies to improve the health of Coloradans. “No matter who wins the race for governor or which party controls the Colorado House or Senate, Colorado voters of all political stripes clearly agree that we should make progress on health policy.”

Key findings

The survey finds Jared Polis currently leading Walker Stapleton by seven points, 47 percent to 40 percent, respectively. Polis’ lead is driven by:

His 18-point lead among unaffiliated voters (46 percent Polis versus 28 percent Stapleton).

His 17-point lead among women voters (52 percent Polis to 35 percent Stapleton).

The survey also finds overwhelming support among likely voters for several health policies, including:

Increasing the purchase age of tobacco to 21 years so it is the same as alcohol and marijuana. 76 percent support, 45 percent strongly support

Increasing the tax on e-cigarettes and nicotine vaping products so they are taxed at the same rate as cigarettes and other tobacco products. 73 percent support, 45 percent strongly support

Allowing people with limited or expensive health insurance options to purchase a health insurance plan from the state Medicaid program. 75 percent support, 34 percent strongly support

Agreeing the public should have the right to know the factors that go into the price of prescription drugs and medications to ensure fair and ethical business practices. 88 percent agree, 48 percent strongly agree

“While voters debate the outcome of Colorado’s gubernatorial race, there is no debate that a strong majority of Colorado voters — regardless of their party affiliation — support the key health policies tested in this poll,” said Republican pollster David Flaherty, CEO of Magellan Strategies.

Methodology

From Sept. 18, 2018, to Sept. 20, 2018, Magellan Strategies and Keating Research conducted a live-caller survey of 600 likely 2018 voters in Colorado. The results are slightly weighted to reflect past voter turnout demographics in Colorado for a non-presidential election year. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval.

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About Healthier Colorado:

Healthier Colorado is a statewide organization dedicated to finding and advocating for the policies that give all Coloradans a better chance at a healthy life. We work across party lines and with every tool possible, from grassroots organizing and lobbying to ballot initiatives and elections, to connect Coloradans with the policies that affect their health. To learn more, visit healthiercolorado.org.