40 yr ago, Colo. seemed to be in control of itself (with the possible exception of Pitkin County).
I think perhaps you are mistaken. My family lived in CO, just outside Denver, in the early 60s and it was starting to go liberal. Remember John Denver and the song Rocky Mountain High? Well, a lot of hippie types, trendy young people, and rich libs moved to CO in droves. Even back then Colorado State U. was a hotbed of liberal nonsense. It has just gotten worse over the years, maybe even worse than CA, though not as broke yet.