Colorado has always punched above its weight, not because we are the loudest, but because we consistently do the unglamorous work of practical problem-solving. We move forward not through outrage or ideological purity tests, but through collaborative, pragmatic governance. At a time when national politics rewards performance over partnership, Colorado remains a counterexample: real people working together to solve real problems, even when they disagree.

This isn’t just cultural. It is structural. It is a part of who we are as a state.

Colorado’s election system is a perfect illustration. We mail ballots to all eligible voters. We chose a model where unaffiliated voters can participate in primaries. These things are not radical; they are rational ways to increase accessibility and increase engagement. Colorado voters understand that broadening voices strengthens the process, elevates representation, and pushes candidates who are grounded in community rather than those chasing viral national content. We created an incentive structure that rewards coalition building instead of division. That is Colorado pragmatism in action.

Our redistricting process is another example. Colorado voters overwhelmingly supported independent citizen commissions that moved map-drawing away from politicians and put it in the hands of normal Coloradans. Not every outcome satisfied everyone, but that was never the goal. The goal was transparency, balance, and fairness that reflects the community rather than party insiders. Today, Colorado is widely regarded as one of the fairest systems in the country, while other states feud over mid-cycle redistricting battles. That is Colorado pragmatism in action.

These reforms were not achieved because Colorado believes itself to be more virtuous than other states. They were achieved because Colorado voters reward results. We reward inclusion. We reward collaboration over spectacle.

In Eagle County, the mindset of pragmatism is even more essential. Rural mountain communities do not have the luxury of performative politics. We cannot spend years arguing while affordability worsens, long-time locals get priced out, health insurance and childcare costs strain our quality of life, and local employers struggle under housing and labor constraints. Our reality forces us to work together.

When we build workforce housing, design career pathways aligned with employer needs, manage tourism intentionally, invest in transit, steward the outdoors, and diversify the economy, we only succeed when the public, private, nonprofit, philanthropic, education, and business sectors lean in together. The people who live and work here know this. We don’t just talk partnership — we operationalize it. That is Colorado pragmatism in action.

Colorado pragmatism is the opposite of the cable news version of politics. Most of the good policy work in Eagle County and in Colorado is not ideological or partisan. It is community-based. It is focused on problem-solving. It is neighbor-focused. It is about actually fixing things, not winning the meme war.

We could choose the national trend where the goal is to destroy the other side, humiliate those who disagree, and cling to the base instead of governing the whole. But Colorado has consistently chosen differently. And Eagle County has modeled that choice in real time.

Pragmatism is not flashy. It doesn’t spike on social media. What it does is build housing. Build workforce pipelines. Build business ecosystems. Build civic trust. Build a better community.

Colorado pragmatism means electing people who want to govern. Building coalitions that include people who don’t think the same way. Rewarding leaders who solve problems instead of leaders who perform for the camera. Voting for outcomes rather than outrage.

Colorado has proven that we can lead the country by putting collaboration above conflict.

We simply must keep choosing it.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, a 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com