The Post writes
And while Hickenlooper was steadfast against the legalization of recreational marijuana, his administration went to work with the legislature to create a national model for regulating the new industry approved by voters.
Hickenlooper often benefited from divided government, political observers say. For six of his eight years, one chamber at the statehouse was controlled by Democrats, the other by Republicans. That meant most of the legislation Hickenlooper signed into law had to be bipartisan.
A divided legislature also meant it took several years to forge compromises, which raises the question how good a deal maker Hickenlooper is. Another recurring criticism from lawmakers and lobbyists, was a perceived lack of engagement in the legislative process, though his staff disagrees with that assessment.
“It was never John Hickenlooper’s style to go up to the House and Senate floor and grab a legislator’s lapels to get what he wanted,” said Kurt Morrison, Hickenlooper’s former legislative director. “Hickenlooper was far more interested in having conversations with legislators so he could understand different points of view and discover where consensus could be found.”
