As a community advocate I have spoken on many subjects. This is the first time I have ever had to advocate about attire. But this outfit was a crime! 

This case is pretty cut and dry.  

Colorado turned 150, and Gov. Jared Polis marked the occasion by stepping onstage at the United We Rock Festival in an outfit that will be long remembered. The problem is it looked less like Western heritage and more like a costume department clearance sale. At the ARC. 

The purple velvet suit featured silver fringe, silver buttons, red cuffs, a red waist sash, a cream cowboy hat and bright blue athletic shoes. It seemed like five different parodies of a Colorado cowboy fighting for attention on the same body. 

This ensemble gave singing cowboy, marching-band major and the movie Toy Story all at once. The look pulled up with a clear intent to disrespect true Colorado Western culture and sensibility. 

The first infraction was the fabric. Velvet communicates luxury, ceremony and old-school glamour. But, outdoors, in August, it looked heavy and overheated. And like a class flex. 

In a region that regularly criticizes the Governor over inflated state spending, budget deficits and heavy business-killing regulations – you would think that he’d try a little harder not to insult us. Working-class cowboys and other citizens don’t need a reminder that he lives in a mansion while average Coloradans can barely keep from being homeless.  

The second offense was proportion. The cropped jacket, broad silver shoulder fringe and thick red band divided the body into several competing sections. This kind of tailoring shuts the eye in pain instead of pleasing it. 

Roy Rogers is rolling over in his grave. A theatrical Western suit should create a strong silhouette. The marked lack of tailoring created the impression that the governor disliked the audience and intended to mock them.  

Then we arrive at the shoes.  

We witnessed the electric blue sneakers in horror. A polished Western boot could have grounded the costume. A dark ankle boot might have modernized it. Even a simple dress shoe would have shown mercy to onlookers. 

Or some kind of respect for cowboys and the strong relationship that Colorado Springs has with them. When is the last time a rancher or cowboy went to an onstage event in tennis shoes? 

Yes, Gov. Polis has made blue sneakers part of his public image. A signature item can be fun. But there can be no fashion pardon. Not for a crime like this. 

The shoe still has to relate to the clothing above it. These sneakers and this cowboy suit had no chemistry.   

All jokes aside, the larger disappointment is that Colorado’s sesquicentennial offered a genuine opportunity to showcase the state’s creative talent and history. The governor could have commissioned a contemporary Western suit from a Colorado designer. He could have worn a refined jacket featuring local textiles, subtle Colorado colors or work by a regional artist.  

But instead of honoring our time-honored ranching traditions and dress – this ensemble looked like an audition for “Blazing Saddles: The Musical.” 

I know that it was just an outfit, but at a statewide milestone, the governor becomes part of the visual record. His visual insult to cowboys everywhere will long outlive the event.  

And all who read the jokes and stories about Polis will wonder if the open disrespect shown to El Paso County was intentional. After all, Colorado Springs is a Republican stronghold with complaints through many of our political leaders about the drastic rise in cost of living on his watch. 

I’m not against a little razzle-dazzle. I’m also not saying that elected officials have to dress blandly. Personality and humor are welcome.  

In fact, Polis fashion supporters might say, Polis served a fully developed concept. I must admit, I agree. 

That look was total confidence. Or total arrogance. But either way, that outfit was doing too much.  

The time has come to list the charges in this crime of fashion. Polis receives these counts: aggravated velvet, unlawful use of fringe and impersonating a cowboy without proper boots. 

Rachel Stovall is a Colorado Springs event manager, entertainer and community advocate.