Politics in the postwar decades

Colorado Post-war Politics

Growth , democracy and debate

Colorado has been a dynamic political state since its inception . Early cities were in direct competition with each other for resources and political influence . The pioneers of the 1800s were highly resistant to centralized government . In the post-World War Two years , another growth boom created a somewhat similar political atmosphere as the state struggled with issues of growth , urban vs . rural conflict and progress

Factions

For Colorado , the postwar decades marked a time of prosperity , growth and growing pains . These dynamics were played

out in the political realm . Many of the competing factions in the Colorado political scene of the fifties had their origins nearly a hundred years before in the territorial era

Pro-business urban governments have often conflicted with old guard Coloradans whose ancestors had come as independent miners and farmers Their efforts at progress often pitted them against farm interests and in time , with environmentalists , too (Sherow , 2007

In the territorial era , the pro Denver faction of wealthy elites was led by the outspoken William Gilpin . He proclaimed that Denver was preeminently cosmopolitan (Noel , 2008 . This characterization rankled opponent such as Bill Byers of the Rocky Mountain News . The City of Denver came into political conflict with other Colorado towns and rural areas where there was suspicion and mistrust about the city 's growing influence over the rest of the state . At times the anti-Denver sentiment was intense . The Colorado Times referred to Denver as a snake that was perishing from the cold .taken in by the countryman out of pity , then bit him (Noel , 2008 . Colorado has a long standing tradition of favoring strong , tenacious local governments ' and less powerful state and federal governments (Gutfreund , 2004 . Those feelings set a background for what was to come in the mid-20th century

The 1950s marked an era when both state and federal governments became more activist forces within Colorado . President Eisenhower initiated a massive nationwide road building project . This project and others served to increase the reach and influence of Denver over the surrounding countryside

Dam and irrigation projects also brought the influence of the federal government into Colorado . The founding of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs would also bring influence . Local politicians often lined up for or against these projects . Many wanted the projects but didn 't want the big government ' influence personified by Denver and its urban elite

Colorado was , and still is , among the most politically competitive states in the nation . In the Colorado Senate , for example , only one seat separated the majority and minority parties during the 2005-06 term This closeness has an effect on the nature of political campaigns in the state . Individual campaigns are often contentious and expensive . Instead of spreading campaign funds more evenly , political parties often target key races for special attention

Colorado also has some of the strictest term limits in the nation . State house and Senate representatives are limited to 8 years of consecutive service each . Laws such as these...