The Independence Institute is proud to announce its fifth of five nominations for 2018’s Californian of the Year. This coveted recognition goes to the Coloradan who best exemplifies the effort to change our once liberty-loving Colorado into the command-and-control state of California.

We believe in the Colorado Culture where we crave the freedom to make our own decisions. Those who vie for Californian of the Year believe in the Californian Control of demanding to make decisions for others.

Our fifth nomination for Californian of the Year is the queen of cronyism and dreamer of mayoral aspirations, Kelly Brough, president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for leading the charge for corporate welfare and tax increases.

For years the Denver Chamber has been the head of operations for public works projects, bond deals, and tax hikes. If there’s been a tax increase unleashed on the good people of the Denver metro area, chances are the attack was planned and executed in the Hall of Cronies, deep inside the bunker at the Denver Chamber. The grand Californian principle of select inside “business people” working hand-in-hand with government planners to enrich certain interests has become standard operating procedure in Denver thanks to the Chamber.

But this year’s nominee has brought the Denver Chamber to a new level of ambition as she hocked several tax increases, leading many to speculate her real goal was to increase her public image for a future mayoral run. If she does run, the Chamber’s intimidation tactics will be helpful as businesses leaders felt “required” to give money to her state-wide sales tax increase, Prop 110. Even though many of them knew it had no chance of passing, they feared they might be excluded from future projects if they didn’t pay tribute.

Congratulations to Kelly Brough, our fifth and final Californian of the Year nominee, for changing what “business-friendly” means. In old Colorado, “business-friendly” meant lower taxes and regulations so all businesses could compete fairly. In the new Californian version it means choosing the winners and losers in business by raising taxes and enriching your connected friends.

We will announce our 2018 Californian of the Year tomorrow. Stay tuned, and welcome to the New California!

Think Freedom,

Jon