The results of a poll that Gov. Jared Polis himself initiated to gauge support for his bridge project are in — and the public doesn’t want it. 

All told, the governor’s survey drew in 87,686 responses and 94% of them are against the proposal.

In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis conceded defeat.

“This exciting big anniversary for our state is an opportunity for Coloradans to celebrate together, and this survey was all about hearing exactly how we should do that,” he said. “Coloradans were clear, and I will stop the pedestrian walkway proposal in its tracks.”

He added: “If needed, I will chain myself to the Capitol plaza to prevent it from being built and will personally intervene to ensure we listen to Coloradans’ feedback. Coloradans have made our voices heard that the proposed pedestrian walkway is not how we want to celebrate our 150th anniversary. I look forward to engaging with the 250/150 commission on how best to celebrate Colorado and America’s anniversary.”

As envisioned, the bridge would connect the state Capitol to Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park.

The proposal invited fierce criticism. Veterans groups called it disrespectful.

The state has already allocated $8.5 million of taxpayer money to initiate the project, but the remaining funds would have to be raised through private donations. The initial cost is $18 million, but an additional $10 million will be required for future improvements.

Also under the plan, the bridge would be completed in time for Colorado’s 150th anniversary on Aug. 1, 2026.

The survey asked four questions. Below are the results. 

Should Colorado proceed with the proposed 150th Anniversary walkway at the State Capitol complex in Denver?

• Yes: 3,330 (3.8%)
• Maybe: 2,043 (2.3%)
• No: 82,313 (93.9%)
• Total Votes: 87,686

If Colorado does not proceed with the 150th-anniversary walkway, what would you like to see?

• The top response at 48,082 votes: No anniversary projects at all.

If Colorado does proceed with the 150th anniversary walkway, what would you like to see?

• Top response, at 62,480 votes: The 150th anniversary walkway scaled back to a smaller project.

2026 is just around the corner! What are you more excited about – the state’s 150th anniversary, the nation’s 250th anniversary, or both equally?

• The top response was “both” at 34,694 votes.

Historic Denver, which had opposed the project, said in a statement it welcomes Polis’ decision not to proceed with the bridge.

“Civic Center is one of the most historic spaces in the city, being both a local Historic District and the only National Historic Landmark within the city limits. Changes and additions to the space need to be considered with care and it has been heartening to see the public reaction in recent weeks,” the organization said. “We hope that attention can shift to celebrating Colorado’s 150th anniversary next year and that this can involve the activation and reinvigoration of Civic Center at ground level.”

Polis and his staff had been the most vocal supporters of the project. 

One fan of the bridge project is Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA.

He said the most important thing that happened is that, for the first time in his career, “Coloradans were excited to talk about public infrastructure” for pedestrians and roadways. 

“I’m glad we had the debate about what the Capitol complex should look like, and how people should move around the urban core,” he said. “Am I disappointed we’re not getting this marquee project that’s going to elevate pedestrians to the level we elevate motorists? Sure. While it’s curtains for this one, the conversation will continues, and I think everyone can agree there’s more that can be done to Civic Center Park and Veterans Park to make it more inviting for more people.”

Earlier in the day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Gold Star Wives of America called on Polis to abandon the project.

“Our sacred spaces are not for sale, not for political show, and not to be paved over. They are to be protected as the living legacy of those who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we all enjoy,” they said in a joint statement.

Spokesman Steve Kjonaas said the veterans’ organizations first sat down with the governor’s office on July 16 to discuss the bridge, a meeting that included lawmakers.

For some people, the meeting went poorly, Kjonaas said. There were discussions of what else could be done instead of the bridge, such as a monument to identify people killed in action or a memorial to the National Guard.

There was pushback from the governor’s staff, he said, including a comment that they would not budge from their position.

Kjonaas said the veterans organizations hoped for a more collaborative situation, such as forming a group that would look at potential projects.

The veteran group said the project “is not merely an architectural endeavor; it is an affront to the sacred trust this state holds with its veterans and their families.”

Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park is “more than green space. It is hallowed ground dedicated to the memory of those who served, sacrificed, and, for many, never returned home,” the groups added.

They also called the bridge unnecessary and disrespectful, a “symbol of disregard” for the sacrifices of veterans and their families, and that any plan to alter or intrude on the space violates the spirit of commitment made by the state to keep the park as a permanent memorial.

Their statement also pointed out that in recent memory, “it was veterans and volunteers from our organizations who stepped forward to guard and protect, and to restore dignity to these grounds after civic unrest left them marred.”

That’s a reference to 2020 and 2021. In 2020, protesters took over the park as part of protests over the murder of George Floyd. In 2021, the park became a center for a homeless encampment, as well as a hub for criminal activity and public health concerns.

The city of Denver closed the park and removed the encampment.

Polis requested public comment via a survey released on July 15.