Economic issues, immigration, and healthcare concerns among top issues in fifth Colorado Latino Policy Agenda

Unresolved priorities remain for Latinos, according to voters and non-voters surveyed

DENVER — For the fifth consecutive year, economic issues dominate the list of concerns for Latino voters in Colorado, who rank addressing inflation and the rising cost of living as their top policy priorities in the fifth annual Colorado Latino Policy Agenda survey released today. Low wages, high healthcare costs and the lack of affordable and attainable housing also rank among the top priorities for Latinos in 2025 — along with a growing emphasis on reforming immigration policies while protecting immigrant rights.

The Colorado Latino Policy Agenda (CLPA) is an annual, nonpartisan report that provides insight for elected officials, community leaders, media, and others interested in the demographic makeup and views of Latinos in Colorado on pressing policy, political, and other relevant issues.

The data spanning the past five surveys sends a clear message that the Latino community in Colorado needs to see action taken to improve its economic well-being as “addressing inflation and the rising cost of living” has ranked as the top priority for Latinos at both the state and federal levels for four consecutive years, while “ensuring workers have a living wage” topped the inaugural 2021 poll. “Improving wages and income” has also consistently ranked among the highest priorities for Latinos, landing as the No. 2 priority for the second consecutive year as the cost of living continues to outpace income levels of the community.

Among the key findings this year:

• Addressing inflation and the rising cost of living is the top priority for Latinos at both the state and federal levels for the fourth consecutive year, as the top three priorities in both categories focus on economic concerns.
• Economic issues comprise the top four priorities at the state level, with “creating affordable and attainable housing” ranking fourth behind inflation, low wages, and high health care costs.
• “Protecting immigrant rights/immigration reform” was recognized as the highest non-economic priority for Latinos at the federal level (No. 4), with one-in-five Latinos (20%) naming it a top priority.
• Together, “protecting immigrant rights/immigration reform” and “increased border security/limit immigration” are top policy priorities for 28% of Latinos in Colorado, making immigration policy the third overall priority at the federal level.
• One out of two Latinos in Colorado say they do not trust that state agencies will not share their personal information with ICE (53%) or that local police will not collaborate or share data with ICE (54%).
• Most Latinos in Colorado believe all law enforcement officers operating in the state must clearly identify themselves (84%), should not be allowed to use masks to hide their identity (56%), and should not be allowed to stop anyone they suspect of being undocumented (62%).
• 40% of Latinos in Colorado say they would not be able to afford out-of-pocket medical costs and/or life-saving medications and would begin to skip or delay treatments if they were to lose healthcare coverage due to Medicaid cuts. 30% reported they would go into debt or face collections.
• 53% of Latinos in Colorado believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction, while 54% believe the state of Colorado is on the right track.
• 66% of those who believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction blame President Trump and his policies. Half of the 38% who say the nation is on the right track credit Trump.