In my hometown of Colorado, I live in a progressive echo chamber. I call home to a district that is a progressive and liberal community. You may see the occasional MAGA sign, but it is overshadowed by the flamboyant display of rainbow flags and active community participation. We are represented by Joe Neguse – Awesome.
If I drive just 30 miles in almost any direction I cross the line into a different Colorado District – a red leaning, rural living district. When you drive through the rolling plains and country roads of this district you will see more MAGA signs than rainbows… and you can rest assured that everyone has a gun.
Yet, I’ve been doing the 30 mile drive a lot lately because earlier this year my husband and I bought a new business – a beautiful bed & breakfast in Estes Park on 26 acres of beautiful Colorado land. I didn’t actually realize until a month in that we were running a business in a red district. In the district is none other than Representative Lauren Boebert.
And ya know what? The sky didn’t turn dark as I entered the conservative district. The trees are still alive and the deer are still running through the property and so far, it has been a nice place to work and run a business. We breathe the same Colorado air in both districts, though I dare say that Estes air is a little bit sweeter, especially by the rushing Big Thompson River. People are kind in Boebert’s district, and the businesses are helpful and it already feels like home. There are no scary people walking around with guns or people trying to invade my home to find my trans kid with MAGA hats on…. It is just quiet…..and peaceful…at least where I am spending time.
Maybe all Republicans aren’t the way Dems think they are? Maybe the same goes for how Republicans view Democrats?
Representative Boebert – my new knowledge that I have a business in your district made me sooooo happy because now I am kind of part of your constituent base, right? Does that mean you may want to meet with me? More than meet, can we please be friends?
Ok lets just start with a talk. Just you and me – we can take a hike together or sit at a coffee shop or walk our dogs (Do you have dogs? See all the things I don’t know yet). Maybe we can link arms for a good photo op? Too much? Ok, I’ll slow down in my quest to be best friends right away.
Maybe instead we can talk about the things we have in common:
- We both have four kids (most people think we are crazy for that reason alone – am I right?)
- We were both raised in middle class families in Northern Colorado
- We both owned and sold two restaurants in Colorado (I’m sure we can both share a lot of stories about the reality of this industry)
- We are both female-led business owners that built businesses by our sheer will and conviction and effort.
- We are both fighters for things that we believe strongly in and aren’t afraid to say “I won’t comply”.
- We have both had people make derogatory comments about us as female leaders
- We have both had our share of online hate from people that don’t agree with us (though I know you have shouldered more than your share…and I kind of want to give you a hug for that).
Perhaps we come from opposite ends of the political spectrum in some ways, but I still want us to chat, even if we don’t agree. I want us to chat to hear each other out even if we may not be able to influence each other, because I think that an understanding may be enough. I want us to talk about our hopes and fears for our families and for the future of our children. I want us to leave this conversation with a better understanding of each other and what makes us tick. I want us to find common ground and then hold it and maybe keep going deeper in our quest to learn more about the other side.
I vote mostly Democrat because of some core values I hold true – I’ll tell you about those later – maybe during a slumber party where we wear matching pajamas and eat popcorn?
That said, I’m not 100% liberal – I bleed red, just like you.
- I am a business owner and believe in less regulation to encourage creativity
- I believe Americans should be free from government control
- I believe in the free market and the American dream that if you work hard, good things will come
- I believe small businesses are the backbone of everything good about our country
I believe that people are good and want to be good to each other. I believe that in my core of core as a human. The problem is partly that now in 2025 we live in echo chambers of our friend groups, social media feeds, and preferred news channels. We have lost perspective and clarity.
But Representative Boebert (Can I call you Lauren?), maybe we can become kind of a “perspective check” for each other? Maybe when something is happening on a wide social scale we can call each other as our counter balance to break it down for us each to explain what we are clearly missing by living in our echo chambers. Maybe we can model for the rest of the world how to have bi-partisan dialogue based on our shared commonality of just being humans first.
Maybe we have tough conversations with each other because we both care about EVERYONE in our community, not just the people that agree with us. Not just the people that want to work for us and not just the people that voted for us. I think we can agree on that and I would love for us to give each other a platform to express that and to say “We can disagree and we can still be friends”…..dare I say “best friends?” Ok, let’s just start with friendly conversations.
I want to then talk to you mom to mom about the challenges we have as parents, about how we support our kids through thick and thin. Maybe that conversation would lead to things our kids feel and do that we can’t control and things we have to learn to accept and support. I want to talk about public policy with you because really, our family’s fate is in your hands. It is scary not to feel in control. It is scary to think that I am at the mercy of someone else representing me that maybe truly doesn’t understand me. I’m ok if we don’t agree, but I do want us to work towards understanding and that’s it. No other motives, no mean girl behavior, I just want to sit in a room, talk politics and family and show it can be done. I think we should try.
It wouldn’t be my first time in a bi-partisan conversation. Back in 2018 our restaurant was chosen as the bi-partisan location for Rep. Jared Polis and Rep. Ken Buck to come and share some chicken wings on Start Up Day… World War III didn’t break out because we had opposing forces in the room. It was actually quite pleasant and entertaining. I found them both to be nice guys that were trying to make a difference.
But ya know, chicken wings aren’t really my thing – maybe instead we can get like a decaf chai latte and take a walk. Or better yet, you can come on my podcast and we can let the whole world see that it is possible for two smart women on opposite sides of the political spectrum to be respectful to each other and hear each other’s opinions and have hard conversations while still being civil or even being friendly to one another, despite our differences.
You name the date for our new friendship to start and I’ll be there. I’ll even wear a red scarf or maybe some red jewelry in a sign of solidarity with you…. Because I bleed red too, just like you.
Can’t wait for us to meet, new friend.
Change It Anyway 