In a speech largely focused on statewide issues like housing costs and public safety, Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday also delved into issues that impact residents west of the Continental Divide like wolves, wildfire insurance and passenger rail through the mountains.

As he does each year, the governor spoke to a room full of lawmakers in the House chamber on the second day of the legislative session. His speech lasted nearly an hour and included a couple of the governor’s trademark impressions from sci-fi series like “Star Trek” and “Star Wars.”

Here are some of the key topics from the speech that impact the Western Slope:

Wolves

While talking about his goals for the environment, the governor mentioned the reintroduction of gray wolves in Colorado, which began in December, as a way the state is “strengthening native biodiversity and restoring balance to our ecosystems.”

“We also need to protect that progress by continuing to invest in nonlethal conflict minimization that works to help our farmers and ranchers thrive,” he said. 

In an interview after the governor’s speech, Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs, responded to the comments on wolves, saying it’s a scary time to be a rancher in her communities.

“They are a direct threat to their livestock and livelihood,” she said. “Wolves are certainly not something I see as a celebratory opportunity.” 

Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, also voiced frustration over the comments. 

“I was disappointed with his characterization that the recent wolf reintroduction was successful and positive for the state, which I strongly disagree with,” he said. 

Reducing fire insurance costs

Polis kicked off his speech talking about his top priority: housing. While he mostly focused on policies he hopes will help boost housing stock across the state, he also mentioned he would be supportive of legislation aimed at reducing the cost of fire insurance. 

“Especially in the face of increasing climate-related disasters like the Marshall Fire,” he said. 

A bill on the topic is expected to be introduced this session. 

The housing policies Polis mentioned included making accessory dwelling units easier to build, creating new financing strategies for home buyers, easing local parking requirements and ending occupancy limits.

The governor also said he would support a bill that tackles “liability costs for multi-family condos,” a nod to a bill expected to be introduced on construction defect lawsuits. That concept is likely to cause fissures among Democratic lawmakers in the legislature who disagree over whether it’s a topic worth focusing on in this session.

Mountain rail

Polis has also emphasized improved transit as a way to help make housing costs more affordable by allowing more density and making commutes easier. Part of that plan includes converting existing rail tracks from Winter Park to northwest Colorado into passenger rail. It’s a concept that’s been talked about for years and often thought of as an impossible “moon shot,” as Polis put it.

“I’m here to tell you it’s within reach,” Polis said. 

Polis plans on using part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act to make the rail transition a reality.

Polis said the line, which would connect Union Station to west Jefferson County, Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, Craig and Hayden, would help alleviate traffic, support workforce housing and help coal-dependent communities “strengthen and diversify their economies.” 

“The governor elevating the transformational opportunity we have to make mountain passenger rail a reality was very important,” Roberts said. 

Water

During last year’s opening speeches, Polis and House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, both mentioned water dozens of times, identifying it as a key focus. But this year, the topic was only briefly mentioned by both leaders. 

In one of his only comments on the topic, Polis said the state “remains committed to aggressively defending Colorado’s interests and rights in the Colorado River negotiations.” 

In her opening day speech, McCluskie said the legislature would take recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force, which was created last session, to secure the state’s water future. The task force handed in fewer consensus recommendations than some lawmakers expected. 

Some other interesting items from the governor’s speech: 

• He voiced support for making the state’s senior homestead exemption — which exempts people over 65 from having to pay full property taxes on their home — portable. Under current law, seniors lose their exemption if they move. But a bill expected this session would allow them to carry the exemption to a new home. 
• The governor also mentioned the rise in antisemitic incidents and said “the rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate in all of its forms is simply unacceptable in the state of Colorado.” Lawmakers and attendees stood and applauded at the comments. As the applause died down, shouts from a gathering of pro-Palestinian protestors could be heard coming from outside the building. 
• Polis also said the state is on track to meet its goal of reaching 80% clean electricity by 2030 and will soon release new goals for greenhouse gas reduction. “Now we need to cut red tape that is holding back local investments and unprecedented federal resources in renewable and clean energy,” he said. Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, who represents Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties, said she was glad to hear the governor’s emphasis on clean air. “Those are things I see as very relevant towards our districts in rural communities in the Western Slope.”

The session, which began Wednesday, will last until May 8.