The politics in the Steamboat Springs, Colorado Metro Area are shaped by its unique location and culture. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, the area has long been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and this culture is reflected in the local politics. Residents of this area tend to be highly engaged with local issues and are passionate about protecting their environment and preserving their way of life. Local decisions are made based on these shared values, with environmental protection, public safety, economic development, and quality of life all playing important roles. The town's City Council is composed of elected representatives from each of the neighborhoods within the metro area and meets regularly to discuss issues that affect them all. Additionally, countywide initiatives are put to a vote every two years during regular general elections in which candidates from both parties vie for office. Regardless of party affiliation residents who understand and represent local needs often have an advantage when it comes to shaping policy in this mountain community.
The political climate in Steamboat Springs Metro Area is strongly liberal.
In Steamboat Springs Metro Area 62.7% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 35.1% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 2.2% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, the Steamboat Springs metro area remained overwhelmingly Democratic, 62.7% to 35.1%.
The Steamboat Springs metro area voted Democratic in the last five Presidential elections, after voting Republican in 2000.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Steamboat Springs Metro Area is strongly liberal.
Colorado is somewhat liberal.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index is based on recent voting in national elections, federal campaign contributions by local residents, and consumer personality profiles.
VoteWord™
Displaying 20 years of Presidential voting, visualized in one word.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado: r D D D D D
How It Works:
Here at BestPlaces, we were looking at the voting patterns since the 2000 election and realized that we could express the results of each election as one letter. R if the Republican Party candidate won, D for the Democrat and I for the Independent. The six elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) would be expressed as six-letter word (R R D R R).
Then we went a little further and added the dimension of magnitude. If the difference of victory was greater than 10 percent, the letter is upper case, and lower case if the difference was less than 10 percent. This allows us to see interesting voting patterns at just a glance.
Here's the VoteWord for Iowa d r d d r. In the last six elections the state has been closely contested, voting narrowly for the Republican Party candidate in 2016 and 2020 after voting for the Democratic Party in 2008 and 2012. Virginia (r r d d d D) has voted for the Democratic Party in the last four elections.
Individual Campaign Contributions in Steamboat Springs Metro Area
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 3,276 contributions totaling $773,695 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $236 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 752 contributions totaling $341,776 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $454 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)