Polis, Ganahl spar on energy, economy and public safety in first Colorado governor debate
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Most Democrats sat on the left and Republicans on the right at the first public debate between Gov. Jared Polis and GOP challenger Heidi Ganahl at Colorado State University Pueblo Wednesday night.
The questions for the debate centered on four main themes: water, economy, energy and public safety.
Moderator Sara Blackhurst, the CEO of Action 22, began the debate by instructing the candidates and the audience to be respectful. A heated exchange over electric vehicles ensued in which Polis touted his gas-powered car and asked to borrow Ganahl’s Tesla, which she said she didn’t drive much because the car is impractical.
Polis defended his record as Colorado’s governor for the past four years while Ganahl touted her experience running a small business.
Ganahl is Colorado's only Republican statewide elected official, serving as a regent for the University of Colorado. She beat a more conservative challenger, Greg Lopez, in the Republican primary for governor in June.
Wednesday's event was coordinated by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Black Hills Energy, which also hosted a series of local political debates earlier this month at Pueblo Community College.
Abortion access was only mentioned in passing by Polis during the debate. Ganahl has previously said that she did not support the new state law the Colorado General Assembly passed in the spring that affirms abortion rights in Colorado.
Candidates voice resounding support for public safety
Although public safety was the last main topic designated during the debate, both candidates emphasized their support for law enforcement throughout the evening.
Ganahl pointed to rising crime rates and said that she would be the “law and order” leader for Colorado. She said she'd seek to crack down on fentanyl and address increasing populations of unhoused people around the state.
“We’ve got to have compassion and tough love, but we need to clean up our streets. Our cities are unlivable now,” Ganahl said.
Ganahl also said she would want to end the state’s “sanctuary” status — Polis signed a bill in 2019 that restricts how much local law enforcement can collaborate with federal immigration officials.
Polis mentioned his support for Pueblo’s public safety tax, which has generated more than $15 million for Pueblo police over the past five years and is up for another five-year extension in November. He distanced himself from other Democrats who have called for “defunding” police.
Behavioral health is a key part of preventing crime “before it happens,” Polis said, citing his support for youth mental health programs.
Economic pressures and energy independence discussed
Ganahl said state taxes and fees are too high and that the scope of government has become too large, blaming Polis and his administration for the higher cost of living in Colorado.
Polis said that many of the inflationary pressures on Coloradans are because of world affairs and mentioned efforts from state Democrats to reduce the cost of living, including $750 refunds from the controversial Taxpayer Bill of Rights that were distributed starting in August.
Pueblo State Sen. Nick Hinrichsen was one of the main sponsors of the legislation that restructured the refunds to be distributed sooner than scheduled. Ganahl noted that Polis and other Democrats had previously worked to undo TABOR.
Both candidates said that they would support all kinds of energy sources, including renewables and natural gas.
Polis said that he would collaborate with local leaders, energy industry representatives and environmentalists on crafting energy policy moving forward.
Ganahl said that the state should consider nuclear energy and emphasized that Colorado should have a plan for energy independence without relying on foreign-imported fuel.
Polis and Ganahl will meet for the next debate in October hosted by CBS 4.
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Federal office stump speeches
Neither incumbent candidate representing Coloradans in Washington D.C. were able to attend Wednesday's event, so the challengers, Adam Frisch, who's challenging 3rd Congressional District Rep. Lauren Boebert, and Joe O'Dea, who's challenging U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, gave 15-minute speeches before the governor's debate.
Frisch, the Democrat in the race, said he wants to work as a representative for the district and not participate in what he called the “angertainment” industry.
O’Dea, a political newcomer, emphasized his working-class roots and connection with the Hispanic community.
More:Frisch and Boebert spar on policy and Pelosi at first CD-3 debate
Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Polis and Ganahl talk energy, economy and public safety in first debate
