The eastern third of CO is all plains and definitely feels like the Midwest, but hardly anyone lives there.

Same thought. No one here thinks it’s the midwest. It’s the west and very apparent. Ghost towns start popping up for attractions, everything’s about the mountains, camping, hiking, skiing/snowboarding.

In fact, weird outliers are a sign that the numbers weren't cooked. In polling, you'll always find a Christian who thinks Jesus isn't real, an Atheist who thinks the ten commandments should be posted in classrooms, people who think Sonic tastes good, and other equally strange and nonsensical results.