Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis told Newsmax on Thursday that he is concerned about the rise of socialism within his party.

He said that Democrats should reject government ownership of businesses and instead embrace free-market capitalism as the path to achieving progressive policy goals.

Polis told "American Agenda" that many Americans misunderstand what socialism actually entails and warned that it concentrates economic and political power in government.

"First of all, it's important that people understand what socialism is," Polis said. "It's government owning collective ownership of the means of production, meaning they're owning companies. They're operating companies."

"Frankly, I'm concerned with the rise of it here," he added.

Polis recently sparked debate within Democrat circles by posting on social media that "socialism dangerously concentrates political and economic power" and calling it "a ticket to nowhere." His comments came as several Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates have defeated establishment Democrats in primary elections this year.

While describing himself as "a proud Democrat," Polis said support for policies such as universal health care and a strong social safety net does not require socialism.

"I support universal healthcare," he said. "I support a strong social safety net."

"The only way to accomplish those — and history has proven this — is through capitalism and the free-market system [and] the clarity that it creates."

Pointing to Europe, Polis said countries seeking membership in the European Union must have market economies, noting that nations including Romania and Bulgaria privatized major industries before joining the bloc.

"The only way you can achieve a quality of life, whatever level you set the social safety net at ... you need a market economy and the economic growth and success that that creates to be able to do that," he said.

Polis also criticized government ownership of private companies, saying Washington should not simultaneously regulate businesses while holding ownership stakes in them.

"The government should not be in the business of business," he said. "Leave that to the private sector."

Later in the interview, Polis argued that "there's a fine line between socialism and fascism," saying both ultimately concentrate power. He also criticized proposals attributed to the Democratic Socialists of America that would abolish the Senate or otherwise alter the constitutional structure of the federal government, calling them "weird things" rather than core socialist policies.

Asked why socialist ideas appear to be gaining traction among some younger voters, Polis said Democrats should educate voters about socialism's historical record.

"I think people need to study history and understand what socialism is, how it leads to poverty and government control of our lives and our economy," he said. "They need to see how socialism is mutually exclusive with many of their values and many of their goals."

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