Cost of living, housing and politics top the list of concerns for Coloradans this year, according to the Colorado Health Foundation’s annual pulse survey.

Of the 2,404 individuals surveyed, 19% identified cost of living and inflation as the most important issue facing the state, while 17% named housing affordability and 11% cited government and politics. Other top concerns included homelessness, immigration and public safety.

Immigration saw the highest change — a 12-point increase from last year’s survey. Responses for cost of living and housing increased 3 and 2 points, respectively. 

Party line divides

Democrats and Republicans held starkly different views on the state’s top issues. Eighty-five percent of Republican respondents said illegal immigration is an “extremely serious” or “very serious” problem, compared to 26% of Democrats. Conversely, 80% of Democrats said climate change is a serious problem, compared to just 9% of Republicans.

Over half of all Republican respondents said their political beliefs made them feel like they didn’t belong in their community, compared to 31% of Democrats. 

Concerns over cost of living

Given that cost of living is the top concern among respondents, it’s not surprising that over 70% expressed being “somewhat” or “very” worried about being able to afford living in Colorado in the future.

Nearly 20% of respondents said they have skipped a meal because they couldn’t afford food, and one-third said they have to work multiple jobs in order to afford their rent or mortgage.

Among homeowners, one-third said they’re worried they will have to move because they can’t afford their mortgage, while 51% of renters said they aspire to eventually own a home but don’t see it as a realistic possibility. 

Other topics covered in the survey include healthcare, food insecurity, and employment.