Since 2009, Colorado has been offering young women free, long term birth control as an
experimental health initiative.
Between 2009 and 2013, teenage birthrates and teen abortions dropped about 40%.
Colorado has been at the forefront of many progressive policies, so we wanted to know:
How powerful is Colorado?
Well, Colorado is America’s 8th largest state.
It is about the same size as New Zealand, with a slightly larger population of over
5 million.
Financially, they’re doing pretty well.
Colorado’s median household income is about 60,000 dollars a year, roughly six and a half
thousand dollars higher than the national median.
Part of this is due to the fact that Colorado is literally a powerhouse.
Its energy resources are massive, with the state hosting ten of the country’s largest
natural gas fields, and three of the largest oil fields.
Furthermore, Colorado’s shale oil deposits are estimated to double the entire world’s
proven oil reserves, at around 3 trillion barrels.
Plus, Colorado’s geography, including the Rocky Mountains and fast flowing rivers, makes
it perfect for wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and solar power.
Colorado is also deeply connected to the US’s military power.
The US Air Force Academy, NORAD, and a number of other military and science contractors
call Colorado their home.
In fact, as much as a third of Colorado’s land is owned by the federal government.
But Colorado’s real claim to fame is their progressive politics and noteworthy results.
The state is one of the few “sanctuary cities” for undocumented immigrants, with the 4th
highest percentage nationwide.
The state also issues driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Colorado also has the most “American” city in America, based on the US Census.
Fountain, Colorado is called the Millennium city, as it the best represented the demographics
of the US in age, income, and race at the turn of the Millennium.
Though, unlike the rest of the country, Colorado currently has the lowest rates of obesity.
Finally, Colorado is one of only four states to legalize marijuana for both medicinal and
recreational purposes.
This move has earned the state up to ten million dollars a month in tax and license fees.
And in fact, teen marijuana use actually dropped after its legalization, although rates have
been dropping countrywide as well.
As a forward-thinking, moderately wealthy, energy rich, military critical, pot smoking,
skinny state, Colorado has a lot to offer.
Stacked against the other states, it’s safe to say that Colorado isn’t the biggest,
the best, or the strongest.
But they’re certainly powerful where many other states fall short.
If you’re curious about how powerful some other US states are, check out our videos
on Texas and California.
There are links to these two videos in the description below.
As always, thanks for watching, and please subscribe for new videos every day.