Trump Falsely Claims Colorado Residents Leaving 'in Droves' While Vetoing Water Project

President Trump claimed people are leaving Colorado 'in droves' while defending his veto of the Arkansas Valley Conduit water project bill and criticizing Governor Jared Polis. FactCheck.org, Colorado Pols, and other fact-checkers found this claim contradicted by U.S. Census Bureau data showing Colorado's population grew by 0.5% in 2025, and United Van Lines data indicating Colorado was not among the top outbound states. The veto blocked a unanimously-approved funding bill for a water pipeline serving rural southeastern Colorado communities. Trump made the statement during a press interview to justify the veto, suggesting the project was unnecessary if people were leaving. This statement appears part of a broader pattern of retaliatory actions targeting Colorado, including dismantling the NCAR climate facility in Boulder and denying disaster declarations.

"people are leaving the state in droves" — Statement made during press interview defending veto of Arkansas Valley Conduit water project funding bill, criticizing Colorado Governor Jared Polis