Centennial State News

This week, Heidi Ganahl, the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, expressed frustration that incumbent Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) did not show up for the first gubernatorial debate but said that she wasn't surprised by the no-show.

In a Sept. 10 Facebook post, Ganahl said, "As Colorado governor, I will show up for the entire state. It’s unfortunate, but not unexpected, that Jared Polis did not show up for our first debate. The Western Slope deserves better! I will protect our water rights, farmers and ranchers, and get our energy industry back to work."

Colorado Newsline reported that the first gubernatorial debate took place in Grand Junction. Ganahl outlined her vision for the state and shared her views on key issues. Polis had a scheduling conflict, according to his campaign. Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D-CO) and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) were also absent from the debate. Ray Beck, membership chair of Club 20, an advocacy group on the Western Slope, served as moderator.

Colorado Newsline reported that Ganahl answered six questions from Beck regarding the Colorado River water shortage and other key issues. In addition to reducing the state's gas tax and eliminating the income tax, she emphasized the need to increase school choice.

On energy policy, Ganahl said, "I want to put the oil and gas industry back to work. Why on earth are we not producing energy here in Colorado when we produce the cleanest energy on the planet?"

Ganahl said in a Sept. 7 Facebook post that Polis had known about the event "for months" but "is afraid to face the people of rural Colorado because he has failed them over and over again, and is unwilling to answer to his horrible energy, agriculture and water policies that are decimating our state."

Ganahl will be facing Polis in the general election in November after defeating Greg Lopez in the Republican primary in June, according to Ballotpedia.