Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Friday October 2nd, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Monday through Friday we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. Today we’re discussing this evening’s debate between Cory Gardner and John Hickenlooper.

But before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

Today, we take you back to October 2nd, 1889 when prospectors Nicholas Creede, and Charles Nelson clambered down a hillside in what is now Mineral County. There, they located their third and final vein of silver in the area for the year, and their lucrative discoveries inspired Colorado’s last great silver rush.

Now, our feature story. 

Cory Gardner is touting his legislative accomplishments in the U.S. Senate and his work responding to the coronavirus crisis. He is getting praise from President Donald Trump and big financial help from national Republicans. And the GOP lawmaker from Yuma is relentlessly attacking his Democratic opponent, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, for violating the state’s ethics laws for public officials.


And yet, Gardner is still behind in his reelection bid a week before ballots hit the mail. 

The first debate, hosted by The Pueblo Chieftain newspaper and sponsored by AARP, will set the tone for the other three debates and the final push to Election Day. 

Today, we’ve got Colorado Sun Political Reporter John Frank joining to talk more about what we’re expecting to see. 

John, it’s great to have you. I’ll jump right in here - this is the first debate in Colorado’s US senate race -- what are you watching?


And, as the incumbent, this is a particularly key moment for Republican Cory Gardner. What’s at stake for him?

And, looking ahead, what’s the big question going forward... what’s your main focus ahead of the election?

Thank you, John.

Gardner’s supporters see the debates as the Republican’s best chance to show Colorado voters how much he contrasts with Hickenlooper in leadership style and the issues.

At the Club 20 political event in Grand Junction a few weeks ago, Gardner offered a preview of his debate message. He made the case that he is the guy who gets things done while Hickenlooper entered the race after saying he didn’t even want to be a senator. 

For Hickenlooper, his goal is to tie Gardner to Trump as often and as tightly as possible. And his supporters want the Democrat to stand his ground and remind voters in the final weeks about his record as governor.

But, in the end, the question remains open about whether the debates will change the game.

Thanks for listening. Before we go here are a few stories you should know about today:


The Colorado governor pardoned 2,732 people with convictions for possessing up to one ounce of marijuana. House Bill 1424 gave Gov. Jared Polis the ability to pardon people with convictions for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana, but he opted to act only on cases where people were convicted of possessing one ounce or less.

-

Bicycle retailers are seeing unprecedented sales. But the supply chain is tight and new bikes are hard to find.

-

Julian Assange, who U.S. prosecutors indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’, may end up at Colorado’s Supermax prison.

-

Winter Park ski train won’t run this season because of coronavirus, instead, it’s set to return in 2022.



For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. 


Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.


And remember, The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. So Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again on Monday. We also encourage you to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Friday October 2nd, and we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Monday through Friday we&rsquo;re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. Today we&rsquo;re discussing this evening&rsquo;s debate between Cory Gardner and John Hickenlooper. But before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;: Today, we take you back to October 2nd, 1889 when prospectors Nicholas Creede, and Charles Nelson clambered down a hillside in what is now Mineral County. There, they located their third and final vein of silver in the area for the year, and their lucrative discoveries inspired Colorado&rsquo;s last great silver rush. Now, our feature story. Cory Gardner is touting his legislative accomplishments in the U.S. Senate and his work responding to the coronavirus crisis. He is getting praise from President Donald Trump and big financial help from&nbsp;national Republicans. And the GOP lawmaker from Yuma is relentlessly attacking his Democratic opponent, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, for violating the state&rsquo;s ethics laws for public officials.
 And yet, Gardner is still behind in his reelection bid a week before ballots hit the mail. The first debate, hosted by The Pueblo Chieftain newspaper and sponsored by AARP, will set the tone for the other three debates and the final push to Election Day. Today, we&rsquo;ve got Colorado Sun Political Reporter John Frank joining to talk more about what we&rsquo;re expecting to see. John, it&rsquo;s great to have you. I&rsquo;ll jump right in here - this is the first debate in Colorado&rsquo;s US senate race -- what are you watching? And, as the incumbent, this is a particularly key moment for Republican Cory Gardner. What&rsquo;s at stake for him? And, looking ahead, what&rsquo;s the big question going forward... what&rsquo;s your main focus ahead of the election? Thank you, John. Gardner&rsquo;s supporters see the debates as the Republican&rsquo;s best chance to show Colorado voters how much he contrasts with Hickenlooper in leadership style and the issues. At the Club 20 political event in Grand Junction a few weeks ago, Gardner offered a preview of his debate message. He made the case that he is the guy who gets things done while Hickenlooper entered the race after saying he didn&rsquo;t even want to be a senator. For Hickenlooper, his goal is to tie Gardner to Trump as often and as tightly as possible. And his supporters want the Democrat to stand his ground and remind voters in the final weeks about his record as governor. But, in the end, the question remains open about whether the debates will change the game. Thanks for listening. Before we go here are a few stories you should know about today: The Colorado governor pardoned 2,732 people with convictions for possessing up to one ounce of marijuana. House Bill 1424 gave Gov. Jared Polis the ability to pardon people with convictions for possessing up to two ounces of marijuana, but he opted to act only on cases where people were convicted of possessing one ounce or less. - Bicycle retailers are seeing unprecedented sales. But the supply chain is tight and new bikes are hard to find. - Julian Assange, who U.S. prosecutors indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks&rsquo;, may end up at Colorado&rsquo;s Supermax prison. - Winter Park ski train won&rsquo;t run this season because of coronavirus, instead, it&rsquo;s set to return in 2022. For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow. And remember, The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. So Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again on Monday. We also encourage you to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

The Daily Sun-Up

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission 

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we&rsquo;re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at <a href="https://coloradosun.com/">https://coloradosun.com/</a>.
Our intro music is by Matt Skellenger Group: <a href="https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission">https://mattskellenger.bandcamp.com/album/subspace-transmission</a>&nbsp;