Colorado governor cuts 208 outdated executive orders

In a significant move aimed at improving government efficiency, Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently took action to eliminate outdated bureaucratic practices. On a Thursday, he physically cut 208 obsolete executive orders with a table saw as part of his initiative to reduce red tape. These executive orders were deemed unnecessary, outdated, or wasteful, with their continued existence contributing to inefficient government operations and stifling innovation. The governor emphasized that executive orders have legal standing until they are repealed or expire, highlighting the importance of addressing them. The executive orders repealed encompassed a variety of subjects, including previous emergency declarations that had already been codified into state law, obsolete committees and councils, and various regulations pertaining to the state’s motor vehicle fleet. Among those rescinded were two particularly notable orders—one related to the Protection of Families Police originally established in 1957 and another concerning tax collection for the Colorado State Hospital. Governor Polis noted these rescinded orders included outdated references to mental health and behavioral health, indicating a need for modernization in response to current standards and practices. Polis’s actions were met with support from Republican members of the Colorado Senate, who welcomed the governor’s willingness to reassess executive orders characterized as burdensome. However, they urged for more substantial reform to address what they perceive as an overly expansive regulatory framework developed throughout his administration. By cutting these regulations, they argue, it is essential to reinstate prosperity and opportunity for Coloradans, reinforcing the need for continuing efforts towards regulatory streamlining. To celebrate this important step toward bureaucratic reform, Polis collaborated with Colorado artist Joe Molina to create an art installation representing the rescinded orders, which will be displayed in the governor's office. This artwork serves as a reminder of the commitment to eliminating waste and enhancing efficiency within the state's governance.