CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Scott McInnis (R) | 199,204 | 66% |
| Curtis Imrie (D) | 87,921 | 29% |
| Drew Sakson (LIBERT) | 9,982 | 3% |
| Victor A. Good (REF) | 5,433 | 2% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 8, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Curtis Imrie | 9,517 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Scott McInnis | 22,873 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
COLORADO 3
:
Western Slope; Pueblo
A century of boom-and-bust mineral speculation - in gold, silver,
uranium and shale oil - has left the Western Slope dotted with small,
struggling towns. Profits also have shrunk in the 3rd's other economic
mainstays, namely cattle ranching in the west and steel production in
Pueblo. But with nine national parks and dozens of ski resorts, tourism has
quickly filled the void.
Some tourists come to stay. Residential Colorado has spilled over the
Continental Divide onto the Western Slope, pushing the 3rd from a swing
district to GOP territory. The newcomers, many of whom migrate to the area
to build rustic retirement homes, tend to vote Republican. But pockets of
Democratic voters remain. In unionized Pueblo, Democrats outnumber
Republicans more than 3-to-1. And affluent liberals dominate the posh ski
communities west and south of Boulder, a swath of land known as the "granola
belt," which includes Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge. This region was a
cornerstone of opposition to limiting gay rights in a November 1992 ballot
initiative that passed easily in this increasingly conservative state.
Residential growth and a substantial agricultural constituency have made
water one of the 3rd's hottest issues. Most of the state's rivers flow down
the Western Slope to Nevada and California. Farmers in the 3rd would like to
see more of that water stored for local usage.
Major Industry
Tourism, skiing, agriculture
Population
549,120 (1990)
Cities
Pueblo, 99,406; Grand Junction, 34,540 (1996)
People
46% rural; 12.6% age 65+ (ranks second of six in state; middle third
nationally); 57% married couples, 27% married couples with children; 20%
college educated (ranks sixth of six in state; middle third nationally); 54%
white collar (ranks sixth of six in state; middle third nationally), 24%
blue collar (ranks second of six in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
92% white, 1% black, 0% Asian; 17% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$24,521 (ranks sixth of six in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
U.S. Government Consumer Information Center in Pueblo; Mesa Verde plateau,
home to the Anasazi Native American civilization for 1,300 years; Ute
Mountain and Southern Ute Indian Reservations.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 3
