Q&A: Meet the candidates running to represent Colorado in the US Senate

Democratic Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and  Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley are facing off in the Nov. 3 election for one of Colorado’s two U.S. Senate seats. The Aspen Times asked each candidate five questions about some of the key issues facing Colorado’s Western Slope.

Question 1: Rural ski towns on Colorado’s Western Slope are facing significant cost-of-living challenges that have driven out parts of the local workforce. What federal policies would you support that could bolster affordability in these communities within the next six years?

Baisley: The primary way of addressing affordability is to reduce the burden of government. In addition to that, I plan to introduce bills that:

• Eliminate student debt by requiring that those universities that benefited from the Obama loan federalization use their endowments to share in the cost of eliminating that debt
• Bring first-time homeownership within reach through lender incentives
• Remove property values from the tax calculation formula. This simple solution solves the wild swings in property tax bills while guaranteeing that special districts, such as libraries, fire departments and schools, can have steady funding based on their previous years’ budget.
• Create relief for Colorado’s farmers and ranchers by establishing a clear set of rules under which lease payments for farm equipment qualify as fully deductible ordinary business expenses in the year paid, immediately improving cash flow.

Hickenlooper: There’s no question we’re facing a cost-of-living emergency. The insane cost of housing, especially in mountain towns, is a major culprit. That’s why we fought to bring millions in federal funding for Colorado projects to construct more affordable housing and bring down costs. We passed the most comprehensive housing bill in decades to help make housing more affordable and ban Wall Street banks from dominating the market. We’ll build on that progress, keep fighting to end the war in Iran to lower gas prices and fix our healthcare system. 

Question 2: Colorado has been the subject of increased federal immigration enforcement within the past year. What role should Congress play when it comes to oversight of federal immigration enforcement, and are there any changes to federal immigration policy you would support?

Baisley: Of course, the increased enforcement is the necessary response to the irresponsible policies of the Biden Administration that enabled approximately 14 million people to bypass the legal immigration process in 2023, according to a Pew Research report, causing affordability stress across Colorado with housing shortages, gang activity and Medicaid coverage. The added chaos of protesters interfering with immigration enforcement has resulted in tragedy. I would encourage Homeland Security to only use nonlethal force to arrest and charge those who interfere with law enforcement actions.

More than any other nation, America is enriched by immigrants “yearning to breathe free.” And each year, around 1.2 million people are legally invited to live in the United States. These welcomed souls are vetted to ensure that they:

• Are not violent or dishonorable
• Will be self-reliant contributors
• Will proudly assimilate into American culture

I would raise public awareness that the U.S. operates this proud and welcoming immigration program.

Hickenlooper: First, we need to stop ICE’s violence and lawlessness. We voted against giving a single penny to ICE and helped get Coloradans released from ICE facilities. We’re working to pass our bills to protect schools, hospitals and polling places from immigration raids and to require ICE agents to take off their masks and turn on body cameras. But our immigration system is fundamentally broken. We need a real pathway to citizenship for DREAMers, Temporary Protected Status recipients and essential workers. We’ve always been a nation of immigrants. We need a system that reflects that legacy.

Question 3: The Colorado River is under unprecedented strain following one of the lowest snowpacks on record in the Rockies. What do you believe is the path forward for water security in Colorado and what steps, if any, would you take to ensure that residents maintain their existing water rights? 

Baisley: I would help facilitate maximizing water storage capacity across the state within the one interstate agreement and nine interstate compacts. As a member of the United States Senate, I would work at both the national and state levels to accelerate and fund the permitting process for creating strategic water storage facilities across Colorado.

At the Water Congress in Steamboat Springs in August, I connected with several experts in water management. I will call on their expertise toward wise and long-term planning.

Hickenlooper: Addressing the Colorado River crisis has been one of our top priorities since I was governor. That’s why we convened the Colorado River caucus in the Senate and fought to secure more than $12 billion in Western water funding from our Inflation Reduction Act and our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We’ve delivered millions for Colorado projects, including $40 million for the Shoshone permanency project. We’re also leading legislation to help improve ways that we measure snowmelt, support water conservation projects and hire more water project navigators to help tribes and rural communities secure resources for projects that improve water efficiency.

Question 4: In 2026, Colorado lawmakers made significant cuts to healthcare and Medicaid spending to balance a budget deficit. How would you approach improving the U.S. healthcare system for Coloradans?

Baisley: America’s healthcare system is broken. Doctors’ recommended treatments are frequently overridden by insurance bureaucrats and busybody laws. Pharmaceutical companies pay doctors to prescribe their drugs. The natural advantages to free market forces have been all but eliminated from the healthcare industry.

While conceptualizing a plan to restore free market forces in healthcare, I discovered that Florida’s U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has recently introduced such a plan. Having served on the Health and Insurance Committee in the Colorado State House of Representatives, I am highly interested in joining Sen. Scott in turning his smart legislation into law.

“Here’s how it works: … 1. An HSA-style account that allows families to use dollars for any plan they want. 2. Let them shop across state lines and purchase the health care plan that best fits their needs. 3. Bring transparency so Americans know what things cost so they can make informed decisions,” according to a press release from Sen. Scott. 

Hickenlooper: We’re the wealthiest country in the world. Healthcare should be affordable, accessible and universal. But the Trump administration doesn’t seem to care. We’ve fought the president’s budget bill that gutted Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for lavish tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. We need to restore those cuts and actually get to universal healthcare. That starts with creating a public option and bringing down prices by empowering Medicare to negotiate all drug prices and rooting out fraud and abuse. We won’t stop fighting until every Coloradan has a medical home.

Question 5: Colorado’s Western Slope faces unique challenges and has needs that differ from the population centers on the Front Range. How would you approach representing voters in rural mountain towns?

Baisley: I currently hold active, working relationships with the state senators, state representatives and county commissioners across Colorado’s Western Slope, several of whom have endorsed me for United States senator. I value those relationships and will rely on them to assist me in leveraging my position representing Colorado in Washington for the advantage of our state.

Throughout this campaign, I have made many trips across the Western Slope with several more planned. My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed every mile, every sight, every peach, every conversation. You will not be able to keep me away from spending even more time with the intriguing people of Western Colorado and learning how I can serve them better.

Hickenlooper: Since I was governor, we’ve always prioritized spending time listening to rural Colorado to hear how we can best help. In the Senate, I take every chance I get — over the weekends and when the Senate isn’t voting — to get to rural towns. No matter where you are, people feel like they can’t keep up with the cost-of-living emergency. People want better access to affordable healthcare, childcare, housing and fast, reliable internet. That’s why we fought to secure millions to bring reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to every home in Colorado. We’re fighting to make sure where you live doesn’t determine if you live by investing in rural hospitals and improving telehealth. We’re working to make sure rural communities have the water they need to thrive.

Ballots for the Nov. 3 Colorado midterm were mailed to voters starting Friday, Oct. 2. To check your voter registration status, visit GoVoteColorado.gov.