A new statewide poll shows illegal immigration emerging as the paramount issue for Colorado voters, with roughly two-in-three viewing the unprecedented influx as a major problem.

Conducted by the Colorado Polling Institute, the survey posed an open-ended question to 632 likely voters, asking – among other things – what they believed were the most important issues facing the state.

The take away?

Illegal immigration was the primary concern with 14% of respondents replying that border surges were the top issue lawmakers should address.

Homelessness, which has been a longstanding issue in Denver, hit the No. 2 spot with 12% of those responding.

“Immigration emerging as a top issue among voters in Colorado follows trends we are seeing in research nationally,” Lori Weigel, Republican pollster with New Bridge Strategy, said the survey results mirrored those nationally.

“Given the number of new arrivals in Denver, it’s not surprising to see in our survey that 66% of respondents in the Denver-metro area viewed the issue as a crisis or major problem, but even 57% elsewhere in the state said the same,” Weigel said in a statement.

Pollsters did, however, note that pocketbook issues such as taxes, housing costs and inflation were – taken together – the predominant concern.

Although these likely voters agreed illegal immigration was the most pressing issue, they disagreed on who to blame.

The majority of respondents faulted the inaction of Congress on a proposed border bill earlier this year that would have shaved the record number of illegal crossings and provided $1.4 billion in funding to interior cities like Denver.

Additionally, voters said the Biden administration, Denver’s immigrant policies and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his busing campaign were also culpable.

“Voters are evenly divided about how to handle the influx, but there are massive demographic and political gaps under the surface,” Kevin Ingham, a Democratic pollster with Aspect Strategic, said in a statement.

While critical of illegal immigration, respondents did value diversity with two-thirds saying a diverse populous of races, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds make Colorado stronger.

Just 8% said this diversity weakens the state.

Among the findings:

? 49% of respondents said immigrants are seeking work and a better life and should be met with compassion.

? 51% said state and local and state resources are being “overwhelmed” by the needs of immigrants.

“Notably, 80% of those who regularly attend religious services prefer turning migrants away, while 73% of those who never attend religious services favor meeting migrants with compassion,” Ingham said.

The issue of illegal immigration and Denver’s response to the humanitarian crisis has catapulted the city into the national spotlight.

Over the past 16 months, Denver has welcomed more than 40,000 immigrants – mostly from South and Central America – at a cost of roughly $63 million.

With the state and federal government having reimbursed Denver about $14 million, city taxpayers have assumed the bulk of the cost.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has warned that without federal assistance the costs could reach up to $120 million – despite having shuttered four immigrant shelters and making budget cuts to city departments.

Conducted from March 15 -19, the poll asked likely voters about a variety of topics including whether to legalize and tax sports betting to fund Colorado water projects; reintroducing wolves on public land west of the continental divide and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which annually limits government revenue.

Launched in 2023, the Colorado Polling Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting informed decision-making that elevates the public discourse with public opinion research on relevant issues, according to the organization.

The polls has a plus or minus error margin of 4%.