Gubernatorial candidates debate issues facing southern Colorado in Pueblo
The candidates running to be Colorado’s next governor went head-to-head again Monday night in Pueblo to debate issues facing southern Colorado.
Republican Walker Stapleton and Democrat Jared Polis both took the stage at CSU-Pueblo to discuss what they plan for the future of Colorado if elected.
One of the main topics in this debate regarded questions around education and how Pueblo school districts have implemented a four day school week.
Polis says schools should only go to a four day school week if it’s the choice of the district, not because of lack of funding. Polis would also like to implement free pre-school and kindergarten for kids.
Stapleton agrees with Polis’ view on a four day school week but adds that school administrators are getting money that should be going to the classroom.
Another topic at hand during Monday’s debate was marijuana and the possibility of it bringing in more homelessness to Pueblo.
S tapleton believes weed leads to an increase in crime in Pueblo. Polis says that with marijuana’s positive economic impact will actually help decrease the homeless population.
President Donald Trump was also talked about at the debate. Specifically, the ads against Stapleton saying that he is President Trump’s “yes man”. Stapleton says he doesn’t see that as a bad thing.
“Well I’ve said all along that I will continue to support president Trump on beneficial economic policies,” Stapleton said, “That’s why I endorsed his tax plan.”
Polis says while he does not agree with the current administration, he is willing to work with the president.
“I can work with this president, I can work with any president Democratic or Republican but I will not be beholden to any President,” said Polis.
The crowd was mostly calm at the debate, only cheering when a candidate said something they agreed with. However, they did boo Stapleton after he made a comment about Polis’s kids, who are seven and four years old.
Polis was talking about how marijuana tax dollars are going to fund schools, which Stapleton replied, “Does that mean you tell your kids to smoke weed for schools?”
The next debate between the two gubernatorial contenders will be on October 13th in Colorado Springs.
