In a CMU poll, between March 22-28, 532 Coloradans participated in the 2017 Centennial State

Survey, weighing in on issues including economy and community satisfaction.

The survey divided Colorado into three regions: South Central and Eastern, Western Slope and Denver Metro.

The survey showed that 87 percent of Coloradans were satisfied with their communities as places to live. Regionally, 85 percent of Western Slope residents were satisfied with their community.

Despite satisfaction with their communities as places to live, 63 percent of residents

surveyed disagreed that there is adequate access to affordable housing in their communities. Thirty-three percent of Western Slope Coloradans agreed there is adequate access to affordable housing, whereas 15 percent of the residents in the Denver Metro region agreed.

Eighty-six percent of Western Slope residents viewed their community as a safe place to live.

Elsewhere, South Central and Eastern regions of the state had 77 percent agree that their community was safe and Denver Metro region residents had 83 percent agree.

In matters of economy, 53 percent of Western Slope residents rated the community economy as good, very good or excellent. Fourteen percent of Western Slope Coloradans rated the economy as poor. Denver Metro residents differed in opinion, with 85 percent rating their economy as good, very good or excellent.

“It really reinforces that there are two economies in this state,” Justin Gollob, associate professor of political science, said. “You see through these results the health of the economy in the Denver Metro area versus the stagnant economy of the Western Slope.”

When it came to considering opportunities for young adults to make a good living in their community, 19 percent of Denver Metro area residents were dissatisfied. Western Coloradans had a 41 percent dissatisfaction rate, more than twice as a high.

“Most Coloradans are satisfied, rather than dissatisfied, with opportunities young adults have to make a living in their community,” Gollob said. “Regionally, that optimism is not shared. In the Denver Metro area, there’s higher levels of satisfaction. When it comes down to the economy, that is something that is very interesting to students.”

Gollob expressed hope that the survey results would be used to guide how decision makers addressed issues in the future.

“The hope of the survey is to be able to inform Coloradans and decision makers, so that it will be a part of the dialogue when critical issues are being discussed at the state, local and county level,” Gollob said.