DENVER – In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which celebrates the way in which the Hispanic and Latino communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large, The Colorado Health Foundation (CHF) Pulse Poll is focusing this third briefing on a variety of topics highly concerning among the Hispanic/Latino communities in Colorado. In a presidential election year, the sharp political divide reflects differing viewpoints in this community as well, especially regarding a sense of belonging.
When asked about the biggest issues facing the state, more Latinos and Hispanics identify “illegal immigration” (the act of immigrating without approved credentials, not in reference to any specific individuals) than does the broader Colorado population. The responses reflected a deep concern, with 59% of Latinos and Hispanics in Colorado (and 60% of those polled in Spanish) ranking this as an extremely or very serious issue, as opposed to 53% of the general population. Within that subset, 80% of Hispanics and Latinos in the Denver Metro area, aged 50–64, rated illegal immigration as extremely or very serious. When broken up by annual income, 68% of Hispanic/Latinos respondents earning between $30,000 and $50,000 reported illegal immigration as an extremely or very serious problem, the highest index among Hispanics and Latinos (as well as the general population).
As covered previously, the cost of housing continues to be concerning, but within the Latino/Hispanic community, this percentage is a staggering 92% in Colorado. An astonishing 100% of senior Latino/Hispanic respondents 75 years of age and older responded that the cost of housing was an extremely or very serious concern.
General Crime
Among the other topics that are top of mind for Colorado’s Hispanic and Latino communities, crime, in general, stands out at 72% as extremely or very serious for respondents (but only 58% of those polled in Spanish said the same). In Colorado Springs, one of the most populated areas by Latinos and Hispanics, 81% of respondents reported crime as an extremely or very serious issue.
Within the political affiliation sub-set, 91% of Hispanic/Latino Republicans reported crime in general as an extremely or very serious problem, whereas both self-described Democrats and unaffiliated respondents only reported it at 67%.
If age brackets are considered, 82% of seniors aged 75 and older, as well as youth aged 18–29, report crime in general as extremely or very serious.
Drug Overdoses
Of the Hispanic/Latino respondents, 73% reported drug overdoses to be “extremely or very serious.” Those polled in Spanish reported that 79% were extremely or very seriously concerned about drug overdoses. Among those polled ages 18–34, 85% said drug overdoses are an extremely or very serious issue.
When examined by income, 81% of those earning below $75,000 said drug overdoses are extremely or very serious, which is lower than those reported earning over $75,000, which reported a 66% concern. Within the LGBTQA1 community of Latino/Hispanics, 81% reported an extremely or very serious concern over drug overdoses. In this community, a staggering 100% of Colorado Springs area residents reported extremely or very serious concerns, compared to 81% of Denver-metro residents.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Forty-nine percent of Coloradans reported drug and alcohol abuse to be extremely or very serious. Among Hispanic/Latino respondents, this number jumps to 74%. Among the LGBTQA1 community of Latinos, this number skyrockets to 86% in Colorado. Among respondents making under $75,000, 71% reported drug and alcohol abuse to be extremely or very serious.
In the Western Slope area, 83% reported this concern as extremely or very serious. This is higher than 75% in Colorado Springs, 64% in Morgan County, and 59% in Denver.
Healthcare Concerns
Medical and dental care continues to be an important issue within the Hispanic and Latino communities, with 44% of respondents across Colorado saying they postponed medical or dental care last year, and 25% saying they postponed mental health care. 64% of respondents making under $30,000 said they postponed medical or dental care. In the middle-income bracket of $50,00 - $75,000, 54% said they postponed, and only 30% of those making $150,000 or more did the same.
Forty-seven percent of Hispanic/Latino respondents say they are extremely or very seriously concerned about themselves or someone else in their household going without health insurance coverage. Those in a lower income bracket ($30,000 - $50,000) were the most affected, with 5 out of 10 saying they were concerned with losing health insurance next year. The two regions most concerned were Morgan at 56%, and the Denver Metro area at 49%.
Homelessness
Among the topics that Hispanics and Latinos felt most concerned about, 78% of respondents in Colorado said homelessness was an extremely or very serious problem. In Colorado Springs alone, that percentage increases to 85%.
Racial Bias and Discrimination:
Thirty-seven percent of Hispanic/Latino respondents in Colorado said racial bias and discrimination were extremely or very serious. That percentage was higher among those with a disability, with 54% saying it was extremely or very serious.
Police Violence and Misconduct:
Reflecting the political divide, 57% of Hispanic/Latino Democratic respondents in Colorado said police violence and misconduct were extremely or very serious, while only 19% of Hispanic/Latino Republicans said the same.
Cost of Housing
The cost of housing for Hispanic/Latino respondents remains a top concern. In Colorado, Latinos reported that 92% are extremely or very seriously concerned about the cost of housing. A staggering 94% of Latinos aged 50–64 in the Colorado Springs area reported the cost of housing being “extremely or very serious.”
The Denver Metro area reported similar concerns, with age presenting interesting findings regarding the cost of housing.
- 18-34 age bracket: 96% responded as an extremely or very serious concern.
- 35+ age bracket: 90%.
- An astonishing 100% of senior Latino/Hispanic respondents 75+ responded to the cost of housing as an extremely or very serious concern.
Aspiring to Own a Home:
Half of Hispanic and Latino respondents say they aspire to own a home, but are unlikely to. Within the age bracket of 30-39-year-old respondents, 74% say they aspire but are unlikely to own a home. In the Denver Metro area, a surprising 100% of Hispanic/Latino respondents making $150,000, ages 30-39 report they aspire but are unlikely to own a home. Within the same area, 62% of respondents making $30,000 - $50,000 reported the same; 60% of reportees making $150,000 or more also said they aspire to own a home but are unlikely to.
Food Insecurities
In the Denver Metro area, 60% of Hispanic/Latino respondents making less than $30,000 said they skipped meals because they couldn’t afford food, while 38% of those respondents making $30,000-$50,000 in the Denver Metro area said the same.
In Colorado Springs, 45% of Hispanic/Latino respondents making under $30,000 said they skipped meals because they couldn’t afford food. For the age bracket of 30-39, Hispanic/Latino respondents making between $30,000 - $50,000 in the Denver Metro area, 67% said they skipped meals because they couldn’t afford food.
Belonging
Twenty-four percent of Hispanic/Latino respondents said they lacked a sense of belonging because of their political beliefs. Reflecting the political divide across the nation, 44% of Hispanics and Latinos who identify as Republicans (as opposed to 18% of Democrats) lacked a sense of belonging. While political beliefs are still top on the list for reasons Latinos feel they don’t belong, this is by a much smaller margin (just 6%) than the other reasons.
1 out of 10 of Hispanic/Latino respondents said they felt they didn’t belong because of their language or the way they speak.
_____
Interviews are available with research experts, Colorado Health Foundation leaders, local community organizations and impacted Coloradans.
About Pulse Poll 2024
The 2024 Pulse Poll was conducted by telephone and online from May 20 to June 24, 2024, among a random representative sample of 2,404 adults age 18 and older living in Colorado. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/-2.9% at the 95% confidence interval. For results based on subgroups, the margin of sampling error is higher.
About Pulse
At The Colorado Health Foundation, we believe in listening first. Each year, we ensure Coloradans’ voices are heard on crucial issues like affordable housing, health care and mental well-being. By gathering data rooted in Coloradans’ experiences and perspectives, Pulse provides valuable insights to inform policy decisions that will have a lasting impact on the well-being of Colorado's communities for years to come. For more information, visit www.copulsepoll.org.
About The Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that champions the overall health and well-being of every Coloradan by advocating for and investing in solutions and policies that drive health equity and racial justice. Every day, the Foundation collaborates with organizations and communities across the state to break down the many systemic inequities that stand in the way of health. Learn more at www.coloradohealth.org.