What’s Wrong With CO’s Economy? Plus, ‘Brain Rot’ and a Flavored Tobacco Clapback
Dec 17, 2024
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Stand-up comedian and documentarian Joshua Emerson, known for his Denver comedy scene contributions, joins the discussion on Colorado's struggling economy, with a surprising GDP ranking of 41st. They delve into Governor Polis's radical regulatory changes and humorous takes on the state's political climate. The conversation also touches on the rising trend of 'brain rot' due to media overload and a lively debate on Denver's proposed flavored tobacco ban, capturing personal stories and community reactions.
Governor Jared Polis's recent regulatory cuts are aimed at revitalizing Colorado's struggling economy, which now ranks 41st in GDP growth.
The debate surrounding Denver's flavored tobacco ban highlights the tension between public health interests and the rights of adult consumers.
Deep dives
Governor Polis's Efforts to Cut Regulations
Governor Jared Polis has taken significant steps to gain the attention of the Trump administration by tackling regulatory burdens within Colorado. His recent actions included repealing over 200 executive orders and demonstrating the symbolic cutting of red tape with a table saw. This approach aims to stimulate Colorado's economy, which has faced challenges with slow growth, ranking 41st in GDP growth among the states. This regulatory overhaul has sparked debates on its potential effectiveness for job creation and economic recovery in a state previously known for its rapid growth.
Decline in Economic Growth and Rising Housing Prices
Colorado's economic growth has significantly declined, particularly in the real estate market, where average home price growth ranked 49th nationally. Despite still adding a record number of new housing units, many residents struggle with the affordability of both homeownership and rental markets. The rising costs of living, particularly in the food sector, compound the struggles for many locals. However, some experts argue that this slower growth phase could be a necessary adjustment after years of rapid expansion and may encourage future stabilization.
Listener Opinions on Flavored Tobacco Ban
Listeners express varied opinions surrounding Denver's proposed ban on flavored tobacco sales, highlighting the complexity of the issue. Critics argue that the conversation often conflates nicotine with tobacco, emphasizing that many flavored products do not contain tobacco. Some suggest that banning flavors unfairly restricts adult consumers who enjoy these products, potentially limiting their choices. The debate reflects a common tension in regulation: balancing public health concerns, especially for youth, with the rights of adult consumers.
Community Engagement and Local Events
In a push to foster community engagement, the episode highlights multiple local events, including a debate for the state Senate vacancy and a screening of the documentary 'Bad Indian' created by local comedian Joshua Emerson. The debate, open to the public, aims to shed light on the political process, encouraging transparency amidst a secretive election process. This outreach effort is part of a broader initiative to bring the community together, especially regarding local governance and civic issues. Such events demonstrate the value of dialogue and engagement in addressing the concerns of Denver residents as they navigate ongoing changes.
New data from CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business shows that Colorado’s economy — once a national leader — took a big turn this year, with our GDP growth ranking 41st in the country. Maybe that’s why Governor Jared Polis was so eager to take a literal table saw to a pile of regulations last week? Stand-up comic Joshua Emerson joins producer Paul Karolyi to dig into the data. Plus, we want your help picking Denver’s Word of the Year! And we respond to a listener’s fiery hot take on Denver’s proposed flavored tobacco ban.
What do you think should be Denver’s Word of the Year? Paul put out the call on the Denver subreddit, but we think you can do better! Text us or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
City Cast Denver is hiring! We’re looking for a temporary newsletter editor to join our team starting in March. So if you’re a great writer who loves Denver (or know someone who might fit the bill), here’s the link to apply: https://apply.workable.com/city-cast/j/FF0BF9E3A1/
Go see Joshua’s fantastic new documentary! For the latest info on planned screenings at Mutiny Information Cafe and the Buntport Theater, follow him on Instagram. He’s also crowdfunding for support finishing the movie and getting more people to see it. You can pitch in here.
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