Colorado Miscellany

-Amendment 64, which would legalize marijuana in the state, continues to lead for passage. It's ahead 47/38 this month, up a tick from 46/42 on our last poll in June. Independents support the measure by a 58/28 spread.

The support for this initiative is unsurprisingly being driven by young people. Voters under 45 support it by a 58/30 margin, while those over 45 oppose it by a 44/39 margin. On the issue of marijuana usage more generally 50% of voters support it with 42% against, numbers that closely track those on the amendment itself.

-In the wake of the Aurora theater shooting 58% of voters say they would support an assault weapons ban to 35% who are opposed. Democrats overwhelmingly support it (84/12), a majority of independents d0 (52/41), and even 38% of Republicans say they favor such a measure. They don't think any gun laws could have prevented the recent shooting though. 58% say no gun laws could have prevented that tragedy compared to just 35% who believe they could have.

-Support for the civil unions bill Republicans in the legislature scuttled during the spring remains strong. 57% of Colorado voters would support a bill to grant same sex couples the right to civil unions, while 37% are opposed. Democrats (79/13) and independents (60/36) are overwhelmingly in favor of such legislation and even 34% of Republican voters say they are. Voters under 30 support civil unions legislation by a 69/28 margin. We find the GOP losing ground with both independents and young voters in Colorado and its conservative social stances are certainly contributing to those struggles.

-John Hickenlooper continues to be one of the most popular Governors in the country with 56% of voters approving of him to 29% who disapprove. That +27 net approval ties him for the 5th most popular out of more than 40 sitting Governors that we've polled on. Mark Udall has narrowly positive approval numbers with 41% of voters approving of him to 35% who disapprove. Voters are pretty evenly divided on Michael Bennet with 36% approving of him while 37% disapprove. The generic legislative ballot in the state is tied at 45%.

Full results here