Veteran political journalist Ken Rudin moderated a discussion last night with Colorado’s Democratic and Republican party leaders.
The conversation, held at Paepcke Auditorium, centered mostly around national politics. Steve House, the chair of the Colorado Republican party, came into the discussion on the defense when it came to his party’s presidential nominee. He said both parties are at a crossroads.
“There’s too many people falling away from political parties today and going to unaffiliated,” House said. “It’s a national problem. It’s a state problem. Political parties have to figure out a way to add value to what they do in order for people to join those parties and become participants in them.”
Democratic chairman Rick Palacio talked about his party’s candidate, saying she is one of the smartest people he has ever met.
On the regional level, both Palacio and House think that Colorado is still a battleground state. However, Rudin said after the event that he considers Colorado to be blue.
Both chairmen discussed how to engage millennials and improve the education system in Colorado. House also noted that the economy and growth of the Western Slope is on Republicans’ minds.