Colorado Gov. Polis kicks off listening tour on how to spend $3.9B

Gov. Jared Polis started his statewide listening tour Sunday to solicit feedback on how to spend $3.9 billion in federal stimulus funds with two sessions with leaders in Pueblo and western Colorado.

What they're saying: The overarching message from participants — and one that is expected to echo across the state — is this one: We need help now.

• "I would like to see more equitable funding across the state in general," said Karen Foglesong, the executive director of the Pueblo arts alliance.
• "I think we should do something for the students who've had a terrible, terrible academic year," said Nick Gradisar, Pueblo's mayor.
• "Rural Colorado needs all the assistance it can get," said Luis Lopez, a Las Animas County commissioner.

State of play: The state created a website, hired a facilitator and outlined different listening sessions — eight geographic-based and a dozen business-sector specific.

• Reality check: Polis and the Democratic-led General Assembly have plenty of their own ideas about how to spend the money, so the listening tour is as much about politics as substance.

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