COLORADO, USA — 9NEWS will host six debates leading up to the November election – the most televised debates in recent election history in Colorado.
The full slate of debates includes four statewide races and the two most competitive congressional races. All of the candidates in those races have agreed to participate.
Thursday, Oct. 13 – 8th Congressional District
State Sen. Yadira Caraveo (D) and state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), a former Weld County commissioner, are running for Colorado's new 8th Congressional District.
This is one of the most competitive congressional races, given the new district's makeup, which is, as of Sept. 1:
- Unaffiliated: 193,044 (46%)
- Democrat: 113,683 (27%)
- Republican: 100,763 (24%)
Watch the full debate:
Tuesday, Oct. 18 – Attorney General
John Kellner, the Republican district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, is challenging incumbent Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) in the race for state attorney general.
Watch the full debate:
Wednesday, Oct. 19 – Treasurer
Former state Rep. Lang Sias (R) is challenging another incumbent, Dave Young (D), for the role of Colorado treasurer.
Watch the full debate:
Friday, Oct. 21 – 7th Congressional District
State Sen. Brittany Pettersen (D) is running against former Army Officer Erik Aadland in another highly competitive congressional race following the retirement of Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D).
Aadland had originally announced a run for Senate, but he transitioned to run for CD7 late last year.
CD7 was redistricted in 2020. The previously drawn district leaned Democratic, but its new makeup as of June 2021 is:
- Unaffiliated: 233,077 (44.3%)
- Democrat: 148,275 (28.2%)
- Republican: 135,643 (25.4%)
Watch the full debate here:
Monday, Oct. 24 – Secretary of State
Pam Anderson (R), the former two-term Jefferson County clerk and past head of the Colorado County Clerks Association, is challenging incumbent Jena Griswold (D) to be Colorado's secretary of state.
Both are certified election officials who reject election rigging conspiracies.
Watch the full debate here:
The following debate will air live in its entirety.
Friday, Oct. 28 – U.S. Senate
Incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D) faces a challenge from business owner Joe O'Dea (R) for one of Colorado's two senate seats.
The two will debate at 7 p.m. on 9NEWS and 9NEWS+. The debate will take place live from Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins.
A planned gubernatorial debate was canceled after Heidi Ganahl (R) declined the invitation. Incumbent Gov. Jared Polis (D) had accepted the invitation.
Full versions of all six debates will be available online on 9NEWS.com, 9NEWS+ and the 9NEWS YouTube channel.
The debates presented by Next with Kyle Clark at 6 p.m. will be available immediately, while the others will be online after the live debate.
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