Capitol Coverage & State

2020 Election

The Aspen Public Radio Newsroom has chosen to focus on four specific issues for our election coverage: the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice/representation, climate change and land use/management.These issues were among the most important to voters, according to a Pew Research poll in August 2020. We also chose them because they are important to people who live in the Roaring Fork Valley. That’s especially true as many have seen the economy, and their livelihoods, take a hit because of the pandemic, the growing Latino population in the region hasn’t had someone from their community holding a countywide governmental office, wildfires have been ferocious this season in the state, and the oil and gas industry employs many people.Our central question while reporting this series was “What Can I Expect From My Government?” We set out to find a diverse group of people who could tell us their answers to that question.Our election series is scheduled for Oct. 20-23. You'll be able to hear the stories during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. All our content will also be available here. Many of the other stories you’ll find here are from our reporting partners. We wanted to provide information about Colorado's key ballot initiatives and races, and also share details about how you can take part in this historic election year.

Hickenlooper, Gardner Present Opposing Views In Colorado's Final U.S. Senate Debate

KUNC | By Scott Franz

Published October 13, 2020 at 5:29 PM MDT

In their final U.S. Senate debate, Republican Sen. Cory Gardner and former Gov. John Hickenlooper clashed again over ethics, health care and the nation’s response to the coronavirus. But the candidates did not cover too much new ground in Fort Collins.

In one of their more heated exchanges, Gardner and Hickenlooper presented voters with very different views on environmental policy. Hickenlooper said he supports the country’s push to replace coal jobs with new ones promoting renewable energy.

“We are going to transition to a clean energy economy. And it’s gonna make six times more jobs than we lost,” he said.

Gardner said Hickenlooper’s plan would come at the expense of the state’s economy.

“If you work in oil and gas, he wants you gone from your job,” Gardner said. “If you work at a coal mine in Craig, Colorado, he wants you gone from your job.”

A series of yes and no questions revealed Gardner and Hickenlooper disagree on most of the ballot issues Coloradans will be voting on in November.

For example, Hickenlooper expressed support for Colorado joining a group of states wanting to award their electoral votes in presidential elections to the winner of the national popular vote. Gardner opposes the move.

Hickenlooper also supports a proposal to establish a new statewide paid family leave program. Gardner said he hasn’t made up his mind about Proposition 118 because he’s still looking into its potential impact on businesses.

In his closing statement, Hickenlooper said the race is a choice between him protecting people with pre-existing conditions and Gardner removing the Affordable Care Act. Gardner said he’s the third most bipartisan senator in the country. He trails Hickenlooper in all of the recent polls of the race.

The event was the last chance the candidates have to talk to voters on the same stage before the November election. The debate, moderated by 9News, also came right as many Colorado voters are finding their ballots in the mailbox.