Creek Lobbyist Outlines Key Issues at the Capitol
Rick Langenberg
Colorado’s big progressive revolution has already reached its peak, and state lawmakers could be sliding down from the pro-Dem Mountain, as the Donkey party fell short of obtaining its goal of seeking a super-majority status in the legislature.
Still, the Centennial state is a solid blue zone, despite the conservative views of many rural residents who clearly endorsed the return of Donald Trump to the White House.
More notably, the state’s growing and frightening deficit will play a big role in determining future legislature in 2025.That said, gear up for familiar fights over gun control legislation, green technology and law enforcement funding. Only now, fiscal realities will become a big driving force like never before.
As for Cripple Creek, the fight continues against the growing threat of online gaming and seeking to get more money from sports betting. The latter topic is a touchy subject that continues to raise the ire of local leaders who believe they were clearly ripped off by the state.
These were some of the themes conveyed by Solomon “Sol” Malick, the president of Peak Government Affairs, the lobbying group for the city of Cripple Creek, during a recent presentation before the city council in outlining key issues on the legislative front for 2025.
Malick predicted a tamer political year, with the Dems losing some of their dominant power
“We are seeing a little more balance,” said Malick. “That is a good thing.” Although Colorado is still a solid, blue state that stanchly rejected the candidacy of Trump in the Nov. election, he noted that the recent vote indicated definite gains for the Republican in gaining a few more seats. From a congressional standpoint, the state is now evenly split between Democratic and Republican representatives.
The Dems still have a big advantage in both state legislative bodies and in the governor’s office. However, Governor Jared Polis is now a lame-duck gubernatorial leader, who can’t run again for this seat. This could set the stage for a big upcoming battle for the governor seat in 2026, with no projected shortage of candidates.
Malick mainly emphasized the state’s precarious fiscal dilemma as the big playing card for 2025. He noted that Colorado is facing a huge $1 billion-plus deficit, a situation prompted by the drying up of considerable federal monies for COVID programs. “That money is gone,” conceded Malick. As a result, he predicts that future bills must have some kind of fiscal noted attached with them, or they will face instant execution.
On the local level, Malick said his office is still trying to lobby for ways the gaming communities can receive a portion of the massive sports betting revenue generated. The voters agreed in the last election to free up more funds for sports betting, with the extra monies being put towards the state’s water plan. Creek leaders heavily opposed this ballot issue. Malick stated that he believes many voters didn’t understand this proposal, and don’t see the concerns of the gaming communities regarding the sports betting issue. He stressed that without their support initially, sports betting, now a multi-billion industry, would not have occurred.
On a more serious matter, he raised a huge red flag about the growing threat associated with the explosion of online gaming. “I am very concerned,” said Malick. He said that many of the games offered mirror those permitted in the three gambling communities. And if this trend continues, he fears that less people with visit brick and mortar locations in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City.
He warned the Creek Council that leaders need to get more involved in fighting this threat. The growth of Native American casinos in other parts of the state is another issue should be on the radar for 2025, advised Malick.
As far as signature issues of the past, such as gun legislation, law enforcement funding and green technology, Malick believes the political temperature will cool off slightly in 2025. He is predicting a tamer year, as the steam is simmering down from the pro-progressive movement. In the last two years, the county commissioners found themselves in Denver on a weekly basis, fighting laws aimed at threatening rural interests. They argued that many of these bills were based on ideology and not backed up by common sense realities.
