Populism was a third-party political movement of the 1890s that had an impact on Colorado and on the town of Globeville. In May 1891, a convention was held in Cincinnati, Ohio where the new Populist or People's Party was formed. The new movement focused on the grievances of farmers, workers, and members of the "producing classes." Working people felt that the economic structure of the United States during the Gilded Age (c. 1870 - 1900) made it difficult to make ends meet. Miners in silver camps agreed with farmers that those who produced the wealth derived less and less for their labor. In 1892, the new Party's platform included land reforms, a guaranteed eight-hour day, the bi-metal standard and the ability of people to vote directly for senators.
In 1892, the Populist Party candidate Davis Hanson Waite won the vote for Colorado's governor. Waite was opposed to anyone or anything that oppressed or took advantage of the common man, including railroad monopolies, and large banks. He was supportive of bimetallism and legislation that gave women the right to vote.
In working-class Globeville, the Populist Party was very active. A March 7th, 1894 edition of the Rocky Mountain News reported that the Party threw its support behind candidates Joseph Orvis for mayor, and Emil Forman and Max Malek [sic] for trustees in the coming election.
Davis Waite and the Populist Party only held Colorado's governorship for one term, 1893-95, and the Party had largely dissolved by 1900. But the movement forced the Democratic and Republican Parties to pay attention to the working class. In the following years, state and federal governments would enact many of the Populist's proposals, including women's suffrage, the eight-hour day and the right to directly elect senators.
