Thread by @KyleClark

NEW: @GovofCO Polis is appointing his 2018 Republican opponent, @WalkerStapleton, to Colorado's Economic Development Commission. The group guides economic strategy to retain and attract businesses to the state. #copolitics

Polis and Stapleton both said today that they hope their cooperation, after an acrimonious campaign, sends a signal about the importance of bipartisan cooperation to benefit Colorado. I’ll have a portion of our conversation on @nexton9news at 6pm.

Stapleton is Polis’ 2nd high-profile GOP appointee in recent weeks, following Polis’ selection of Ken Montera to fill an open seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents. “We just want to appoint the best people,” Polis said. “Walker is the best person for this role.”

Polis and Stapleton have kept in touch during the pandemic, checking in on each other's families. “The idea that people can’t break bread together and have a relationship just because they are affiliated with different political parties is ridiculous to me," Stapleton said.

Stapleton has remained a Republican as GOP leaders have excused political violence and embraced election lies and vaccine misinformation. He pointed to his relatives, President George HW Bush and George W Bush as examples of leaders who served honorably in office and out.

Noting the Presidents Bush, Stapleton said, "I think that’s the example that needs to be set of people working together. And the fact that we’re not at that place with certain elements of my party makes me sad."

Even Colorado's 2018 race for Governor is subject to election rigging conspiracy theories. @cologop chair @ColoradoKbb led FEC United, a far-right group with a militia wing, which says @WalkerStapleton only lost to @GovofCO due to voter fraud. Stapleton and Polis laughed at that.