Poll: Colorado women say financial gaps are widening compared to men
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About two-thirds of Colorado women who plan to vote in the 2026 election say they have fewer rights and less opportunity than men, a new poll finds.
- And nearly half believe the gap is widening.
Why it matters: Women, who make up the majority of registered voters in Colorado, hold significant sway in determining who wins and what issues pass at the ballot box.
Driving the news: Women say men are better off when it comes to health care access, pay, career advancement, financial stability and safety, a survey from the Women's Foundation of Colorado shows.
- An overwhelming majority (84%) say the cost of living is rising faster than their income, while 76% say they're taking steps to compensate, including cutting back on retirement savings, relying on credit cards and delaying medical care.
- The top barriers to getting ahead financially are caregiving responsibilities, limited career advancement and lack of a flexible work schedule, the poll found.
Between the lines: Women say affordability is key to address these challenges, citing housing (38%), high-quality health care (33%) and healthy food (29%) as their top needs.
What they're saying: "There are too many women living on that economic edge," said Louise Myrland, vice president for programs at the foundation.
The fine print: The poll was conducted by Aspect Strategic from April 27 to May 4.
- The margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.