More Denver voters identify as socialists than Republicans, continuing a three-year rise that comes on the heels of Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros’ upset primary victory over longtime U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette.

Seventeen percent of Denver voters now identify as socialists, up from 12% last year and 11% two years ago, according to a new Colorado Polling Institute (CPI) poll. Just 15% of voters identify as Republican.

The shift follows Kiros’ June victory over DeGette, a 15-term incumbent, by 13.4 percentage points or more than 21,100 votes, in the Democratic primary.

The poll also depicts an electorate broadly positive about Denver: Most voters believe the city is headed in the right direction and nearly four in five say they feel safe — the highest share since CPI began polling this three years ago.

Among those who do not feel safe in the city are conservative voters and men without a college education, the poll found.

Independents (44%) and Democrats (45%) made up the bulk of the poll’s respondents; 10% were Republicans. That breakdown mirrors the city’s latest voter registration numbers: 40% for Democrats, 49% for unaffiliated and 9% for Republicans.

“This survey marks the first time CPI registered more Denver voters identifying as socialists than conservatives,” Kevin Ingham, a pollster with Principal of Aspect Strategic, said in a statement.

“When we asked voters why they have positive views of socialism, we tended to hear more dissatisfaction with the status quo generally than opposition to capitalism specifically. But even more than what they opposed about the status quo, voters pointed to an affinity for what they believed socialism offered: universal healthcare, a fairer economy and a more equal society,” the pollster said.

Denver voters hold a marginally more favorable view of socialism compared to capitalism, 55% and 47% respectively.

Among the poll’s findings:

• Nearly three-in-four, or 71%, support “incentivizing” developers to convert empty office buildings into affordable housing.
• More than half, or 57%, see the downtown as essential to the future of Denver, although voters are split on the progress being made with just 41% optimistic about the city’s efforts.
• Denver’s electric bike and scooter program remains popular, with about two-thirds of respondents seeing it as a reliable alternative to driving.
• Roughly half voters — up to 49% from 38% last year — hold a pessimistic view about the $300 million rapid-transit project on East Colfax, doubting the construction will be worth the disruption and costs.
• While a majority of voters (58%) say they have not ridden and are unlikely to ride the Waymo self-driving taxi service in the future, nearly one-in-three (32%) say they are likely to venture into the self-driving taxis. Waymo has been testing its vehicles in Denver since last year and plans to launch public service soon.

Conducted between Aug. 11-15, the poll asked 400 likely Denver voters about a variety of possible midterm issues that include the economy and public safety as well as local issues such as transportation, downtown development and homelessness, Mayor Mike Johnston’s signature issue. 

The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.8%.

CPI is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has been conducting polls since 2023 to provide public opinion research on the issues facing Colorado residents.