September 11, 2014 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 1 5
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Rivals for governor trade jabs in debate Hickenlooper, Beauprez meet on Western Slope By Vic Vela vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com Gov. John Hickenlooper and former Congressman Bob Beauprez swapped barbs during a lively debate in Grand Junction on Aug. 6, marking the first time the two gubernatorial rivals squared off this fall. On almost every debate topic — ranging from hydraulic fracturing to the death penalty and the state of the economy — the two traded jabs over who would be the better man to lead the state over the next four years. The debate’s energy was aided by a lively audience that often interrupted the candidates with cheers and boos. That was espe-
cially the case toward the end of the debate, when Hickenlooper and Beauprez were given the opportunity to ask each other a series of direct questions. Beauprez used his first question to attack the governor over his evolving position on the death penalty, focusing on the governor’s decision last year to grant a temporary reprieve to Nathan Dunlap, the death row inmate who killed four people at an Aurora Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant in 1993. “Yes or no, will you assure the people here tonight … that you will not grant clemency to Nathan Dunlap?” Beauprez asked. Hickenlooper — who once supported the death penalty, but who recently said he no longer does — said he has “no plans to revisit my decision and my decision stands.” “Government shouldn’t be in the business of taking people’s lives,” Hickenlooper said. Meanwhile, Hickenlooper turned the ta-
bles on Beauprez on another issue that the former congressman has used to criticize the governor — fracking. Hickenlooper touted his work on reaching a compromise on local control issues surrounding oil and gas drilling. The compromise kept anti-fracking measures from appearing on the November ballot — a result Beauprez had also wanted. “You said you wanted the ballot measures off the ballot and I did that, so can I count on your vote?” Hickenlooper said. Beauprez offered an icy response. “I think you know the answer to that,” he said. Hickenlooper is pro-fracking, but has also guided tough regulations on the oil and gas industry that aim to limit potential environmental and health impacts of drilling. Beauprez said those regulations are only hurting an industry that pumps millions of dollars into the state.
“Other states are more open for business for energy development and that’s where the jobs are going,” Beauprez said. The two candidates also shared sharp exchanges on economic issues. Hickenlooper highlighted an economy that has improved under his watch, one that has resulted in 33 months of consecutive job growth and an unemployment rate that continues to drop. But Beauprez said that the economy would be in a lot better shape if the government simply stayed out of the way of business. Beauprez said state regulations are largely responsible for that. Beauprez also blasted federal regulations and the Affordable Care Act. That led to criticism from Hickenlooper for focusing on issues that are handled at the congressional level. “Maybe you should be running for Congress if you want to go back and tackle the federal issues,” Hickenlooper said.
Reasons to feel crowded
DRIVING AMBITION
Metro-area population at 3 million By Vic Vela
vvela@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Billy Horschel hits his drive off the No. 17 tee en route to a victory at Cherry Hills Country Club in the BMW Championship on Sept. 7. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
The population of the Denver metro area was expected to exceed 3 million last month, according to state estimates. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs uses the month of July to forecast population numbers annually. The department estimated that the Denver metro area’s population on July 1 would have been 2,994,534 and would have passed the 3 million mark in August. Elizabeth Garner, a state demographer, said the average monthly increase in population in the Denver metro area is 3,551, meaning its population reached 3 million in mid-August. Garner said the growing population can be attributed to a healthy economy in the Denver area. “There is a high correlation between job growth and population change,” she said. “We’re toward the top in the U.S. in terms of recovery and growing jobs.” Garner said population numbers in Larimer and Weld counties are growing at an even faster rate than the Denver metro area, thanks to high job growth in the oil and gas industry there. But other parts of the state, such as the Western Slope and parts of the southeast, are losing residents. Garner said that can attributed to jobs leaving those parts of the state and not coming back. “If you don’t have a job, it’s hard to stay,” she said.
Bus tour highlights rail construction Gold Line moving forward Staff report Off at the next stop. Traveling around on a bus for a few hours can be an enlightening way to see the community, and with the installation of the Gold Line, bus tours are a fast way to see the progress of the project’s construction.
While sitting on a RTD bus for two hours, Friday, Sept. 5, 35 citizens from across the Denver-metro area were able to see the highlights of the construction at each station along the 11.2 mile Gold Line, hear project updates, and ask questions about the project. Currently, RTD and Denver Transit Partners are working to lay the prep the ground for both single and double tracks, laying rail at the Ward Road and Arvada Ridge stations;
placing security fences and retaining walls along neighborhoods and stations near the line; placing finishing touches on the commuter rail facility station; and continuing work on a flyover bridge near the Sheridan Boulevard station. According to Denver Transit Partners Information Manager, Christina Zazueta, 2014 is the project’s biggest construction year, and communities can expect to see more.
“I think we’re coming along very quick here,” she said. “A lot of stuff is going to happen this year into next year.” To-date, the Eagle P3 Project, which includes the East Rail line, the Northwest Rail line, and the Gold Line, has contributed over 800 million into the local communities by procuring local supplies and labor and creating jobs within the area. For more information or to sign up for a tour visit, www.rtd-fastracks.com/gl_172.