Governor Hickenlooper looks back on the last 8 years

For nearly half a century, John Hickenlooper had no political aspirations.

But now, at the sunset of his governorship, he’s eyeing the most prestigious office in the land.

The outgoing governor is surrounded by packing boxes in his office at the state capital. It’s a bit like organized chaos in the expansive room — isn’t this what packing normally looks like, just days out from moving? — a guitar here. A model rocket there. Pencil portraits lining the walls.

He’s on the phone, doing another interview — just one in the litany of last-minute requests on hold, as he checks off his to-dos before vacating in advance of Governor-Elect, Democrat Jared Polis, who will be sworn in Jan. 8th, 2019.

“You know, there’s always a bit of bittersweet. Any change involves some loss. This is an amazing team I’ve worked with the last eight years,” smiles Hickenlooper, dressed in his characteristic casual button-up shirt. “I never planned to get into politics. I ran for [Denver] mayor when I was 49 years old, I had never run for anything in my life.”

The self-made geologist and entrepreneur found his cash-crop — brewing beer — before entering the world of partisan politics. He, and a cadre of friends, forming Wynkoop, that now-iconic brewery that paved the way for Denver’s LoDo renaissance.

And much like that re-birth, Colorado’s economy has followed suit under Hickenlooper’s leadership.

When he was on the campaign trail in 2010, the state was ranked 40th in job creation. Now, according to U.S. News and World Report, Colorado has the number one economy in the nation.

He also helped catapult the effort to provide broadband in every Colorado town by the year 2021.

Among his achievements, Hickenlooper also points to the legalization of gay marriage in Colorado.

“The west was settled by people working together,” says Hickenlooper. “If we work together, and we collaborate, and figure out how to trust each other — when we do that, great things happen. I’ve never persuaded anyone in my life that matters by saying, ‘I’m wrong and you’re right.’ You change someone’s mind by you listen to them. Keep talking with them, keep working with them.”

Presidential Run?

Many have described him has a moderate Democrat, a mentality he hopes to bring to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I think that’s what the country needs more than anything is to begin finding common ground.”

He says he plans to visit Iowa more — after a handful of visits there and to New Hampshire, key primary states. And, if those living there view him favorably, he will make an official bid announcement by March for the 2020 Presidential election.

But, will leading Democrats let him follow his aspirations?

Late Thursday, Governor Hickenlooper’s office confirmed Sen. Chuck Schumer called — reportedly to urge Hickenlooper to run for U.S. Senate. As of the writing of this article, Hickenlooper had yet to respond to Schumer.

But, the 42nd governor of Colorado is familiar with dissidents to his political aspirations.

“A lot of people say Colorado is too small a state, that we can’t raise money based out of Colorado, can’t run a national campaign out of Colorado,” he says.

To which, he offers that earthy, Hickenlooper response:

“I say, hogwash!”

Legalizing Marijuana

Recreational marijuana has now been sold in Colorado for five years, one of the landmark decisions signed into law at the stroke of Hickenlooper’s pen.

He did so, reluctantly.

“You know, I was against it. I’m beginning to say, grudgingly, maybe this new system is going to turn out to be better than the old one,” says Hickenlooper.

If sales stay the same, marijuana users will have bought $6 billion worth this year in the five years since its launch. That translates to $250 million in tax revenue.

Don’t be impressed.

“Marijuana tax money is a drop in the barrel for the whole state. Our budget’s $31 billion dollars. $250 million dollars isn’t gonna solve anything.”

It’s true: $250 million dollars is enough to fund a little more than 14 miles of the I-25 Gap Project between Castle Rock and Monument — six miles short of the entire expanse.

But, it is money.

“Our black market, may be as much as $100 million a year. Significant. But the overall recreational marijuana market is about $1.5 billion [per year]. Eight years ago, that was all black market,” says Hickenlooper.

Some of the money is being used for public service announcements, educating kids not to use marijuana.

As they say, hindsight is 20/20. So, what would he have changed?

I would have had really strict rules around edibles. I would have limited the home grows, dramatically. And had extra eyes and ears at the borders, so that people wouldn’t be taking pot from here out of state.”