In honor of the new year, we answered the question of whether a stupid politician is prone to making a stupid New Year's Resolution.
The answer is, yes; Some politicians never change.
When Colorado state legislators shared their personal New Year's resolution for 2025 — just like 40% of Americans — most resolved to make a positive lifestyle change to improve health. Some expressed a desire to spend more time with family and a few vowed to improve the lives of the people they were elected to represent.
Governor Jared Polis expressed thoughtful and heartfelt aspirations "to be the best father, partner, son and governor I can be while remaining optimistic and hopeful about our future."
We were also struck by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen's inspirational promise not to "let a single day pass without finding a moment of wonder."
Others, however, set the bar really low.
Here are the best of the worst stupid New Year's resolutions made by Colorado state legislators:
1. Buy new yoga pants and drive past the gym.
— Rep. Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton, CO
"My New Year's Resolutions are realistic, so this year's resolution is to buy new yoga pants and drive by the gym twice a week during session."
Given the current political climate, this is a stupid New Year's resolution for an elected representative to share with constituents. Even if she was trying to keep her answer light and funny, it really missed the mark. —SPQ
2. Check fewer email inboxes.
— Rep. Rebekah Stewart, D-Lakewood, CO
3. Do a Pull-up
— Rep. Gretchen Rydin, D-Littleton, CO
"One of my New Year's resolutions is to do a pull-up. I know that sounds silly, but it made the list of resolutions a few years ago (I had the pull-up bar and the assist bands and everything,) but then I decided to run for office, so it took a back burner. And I want to follow through on everything I said I would do while campaigning.
Talk about setting the bar low! If she thought this was a silly New Year's resolution, she should have put more thought into it and come up with something more befitting. —SPQ
4. Go to stock shows.
— Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-Fort Morgan, CO
"My New Year's resolution for 2025 is to make it to the National Western Stock Show at least eight times/days out of the sixteen."
We can't speak for the Stock Show, but some people might be offended if you had to make a formal resolution to force yourself to attend their event! —SPQ
5. Ride the bus.
— Rep. Lesley Smith, D-Boulder, CO
"Until the session gets hectic toward the end with many late-night meetings, I plan to take the RTD twice per week. This way I can get work done while riding the bus, and I can get my steps in walking to and from Union Station."
Whatever. We get there's merit in riding the bus, but this New Year's resolution makes her look more like a bureaucrat than a respected state lawmaker. —SPQ
According to Statista, 80% of people will break their New Year's resolution by the second week of February and only 8% will stick to it through the end of the year. Perhaps these Colorado politicians made stupid promises because they're easier to keep.