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Hickenlooper 'Satisfied' With Midterm Election Outcome, Says Compromise In DC Is Key

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Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper speaks at an event in 2016.

Gov. John Hickenlooper said he’s “satisfied” with the outcome of the midterm election, which saw Democrats make gains nationally and here in Colorado.

Speaking at an event at the governor’s residence in Denver, Hickenlooper said the Democrats' take-back of the U.S. House of Representatives means lawmakers in Washington, D.C. will now have to reach across party lines if they want to get anything done.

“If they choose not to do that, the public I think has run out of patience for people who aren't willing to collaborate and compromise,” he said.

Hickenlooper also said he was disappointed that a Denver initiative seeking to raise the city’s sales tax to fund college scholarships failed to pass.

Initiated Ordinance 300 would have raised sales taxes by .08 percent.

“There are always things you would rather have,” he said. “Overall, I thought it was a good day for Democrats.”

The term-limited governor will soon be replaced by Democrat Jared Polis.

He added that his successor will inherit a slate of lingering challenges, such as a growing transportation funding backlog.

The Colorado Department of Transportation estimated it needs around $9 billion in additional funding to complete a long list of highway and road improvements across the state.

Colorado voters gave a thumbs down to Propositions 109 and 110, which would have helped fill that funding gap.

Hickenlooper said he’s confident Polis will come up with a “pretty aggressive” plan for transportation, affordable housing and education funding.

“That’s the beauty of having a new governor,” he said. “You’re gonna get a bunch of new ideas.”

Hickenlooper has not officially declared a 2020 presidential run, but is widely expected to make a bid.

I cover a wide range of issues within Colorado’s dynamic economy including energy, labor, housing, beer, marijuana, elections and other general assignment stories.
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