Poll: Coloradans support plan for private workers

More than two-thirds of Colorado voters support the state creating a retirement savings plan for private-sector employees whose employers do not offer one, according to a new survey commissioned by a political group that pushes progressive legislation at statehouses across the nation.

The results of the poll, first reported by The Denver Post, come about a week after Gov. Jared Polis appointed eight people to help study how Colorado could join a small but growing number of states that are establishing these types of programs. The new study group was created by the Colorado General Assembly earlier this year.

A total of 69 percent of the 600 registered voters surveyed were in favor of creating a plan, with a 4 percent margin of error. However, only 35 percent “strongly” supported the policy proposal. Meanwhile, just 6 percent of those surveyed “strongly” opposed the idea. Eighteen percent said they were not sure.

Democrats were the most supportive, with 80 percent favoring the plan. Republicans were the least supportive, with 62 percent in favor.

The poll, paid for by the State Innovation Exchange, was conducted by Strategies 360 via online surveys between June 21-25. The political consulting firm’s polling division has a B rating from FiveThirtyEight, a news organization that specializes in polling data. The grade was established from polling based on live interviews, not online surveys. Online surveys are becoming more in vogue, but they sometimes lack the same reliability as traditional telephone interviews and should be interpreted with more caution.

Only a handful of states — including Connecticut, Vermont and Oregon — have established retirement saving plans. Other states — such as California, Maryland and New York — are taking steps toward creating saving plans, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.