Want to watch a Colorado politician jump out of his seat and run for cover? Just whisper the word, “immigration.”

It is, of course, a sensitive subject in the state’s political circles these days – and new polling results reported in The Gazette last week underscore why mere mention of it makes elected leaders so jittery. Notably, voters are fed up.

A nonpartisan survey by the Colorado Polling Institute found that illegal immigration is a paramount issue for Colorado voters, and about two-thirds of the 632 likely voters surveyed see the deluge of undocumented immigrants into the state as a major problem.

Not only were most survey respondents concerned about it, but fully 14% of those polled picked illegal immigration as the single biggest problem among the challenges facing the state. Homelessness placed second.

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Over the past 16 months, a new wave of immigrants from Venezuela and elsewhere in central and South American have entered the U.S. illegally. They have inundated, among other states, Colorado and particularly Denver. The Mile High City has welcomed more than 40,000 immigrants at a cost of roughly $63 million, and the number and cost are growing by the day.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has warned that without federal assistance the costs could reach up to $120 million – despite his decision to shutter four immigrant shelters.

Taxpayers have been forced to cover most of the cost for sheltering, feeding and providing other services to the immigrants. And in Denver’s case, it has come directly out of the city’s operating budget, resulting in slashed public services to locals – reduced hours at parks and rec centers and at DMV branches – among other services. There also are the side effects of the immigration surge – from proliferating tent camps to rising crime.

That’s why the public has had enough. Colorado’s predominantly Democratic elected leadership knows that but isn’t sure how to address it.

The pols don’t want to backpedal on their party’s long-standing support for making Colorado a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants – whom leading Democrats insist on calling “newcomers.” Yet, they also know that voters, regardless of political persuasion, aren’t going to put up with it much longer.

As also noted in The Gazette’s report, the survey respondents pin blame for the crisis on different factors, no doubt reflecting voters’ differing political views. Some cite inaction by Congress or lax border policies of the Biden administration; some blame Colorado’s sanctuary policies that effectively serve as a beacon to immigrants.

Yet, more than half of the respondents agreed state and local resources are being “overwhelmed” by the needs of immigrants.

That’s not to say Coloradans are indifferent to the plight of the immigrants or narrow-minded about outsiders in general. In fact, two-thirds of those surveyed agreed a diverse population of races, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds makes Colorado stronger. And nearly half said the immigrants are seeking work and a better life and should be met with compassion.

It’s just that rank-and-file Coloradans are also realistic. They acknowledge what politicians are loath to admit – that their state doesn’t have an infinite capacity to accommodate the influx.

Which is to say our nation must secure its borders – and until it does, our state must stop inviting those who make it in to live off the taxpaying public. Advertising Colorado as a sanctuary might make some politicians feel good about themselves, but it’s only a growing burden for everyone else who has to pick up the tab.

Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board