SOUTHERN COLORADO — On Friday the Dismiss Polis effort to recall Governor Jared Polis fell short.
More than 631,000 signatures needed to be collected by Friday, but the group was only able to get about 300,000.
It comes after months of campaigning with the effort spurred by hot topic issues like the National Popular Vote Compact, the red flag bill, and sex education in schools. While those involved say they may have fallen short this isn't the end.
Karen Kataline, a representative for Dismiss Polis said, "These boxes of signatures collected by Dismiss and Resist are just an example of thousands of Colorado voters who will not sit down and will not shut up."
While efforts to recall Governor Polis may have failed those involved in the fight believe there's still reason to celebrate.
Kataline said, "We fell short of that, yet we have made history regardless...hundreds of thousands of Coloradans signed a petition to recall the governor who they believe has abysmally failed them and grievously harmed our state."
Following the announcement of the failed effort Governor Polis released a statement saying "After all that fuss, I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't turn in a single signature on the recall. I hope the remaining misguided efforts against others see the same results as Tom Sullivan's did before. Recalls should not be used for political gamesmanship...now that this sideshow is over, I will continue to focus my full attention on building upon our bipartisan success with kindergarten and saving money on health care."
Was the recall attempt premature? News 5 reached out to Donald Foster, a political science professor at Pikes Peak Community College.
Foster said, "My gut feeling is it may have been too soon...my suspicion is that a lot of people are thinking he hadn't even been in office a year and we're already moving to recall him so I think that was a factor."
Those involved in the recall attempt will not be submitting signatures to the Secretary of State's office. In the coming months they will evaluate this effort and consider the next steps which could mean they try it again.
