Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and her Democratic challenger Trisha Calvarese are set to face off in a debate on business and economic issues on Sept. 3 in Roxborough Park.
The lunchtime debate is so far the only meet-up scheduled between the two major party candidates running in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, which covers Douglas County, parts of Larimer and Weld Counties, and the Eastern Plains.
Boebert and Calvarese both emerged from crowded primaries for the seat formerly represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who resigned in March. Republican Greg Lopez defeated Calvarese in a June special election to serve out the remainder of Buck's term.
Sponsored by The Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, Colorado Politics and the Denver Gazette, the debate will be moderated by political reporter Ernest Luning. It's scheduled to take place during the group's regular luncheon meeting, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Club at Ravenna, 8285 Dante Drive, south of the Chatfield Reservoir.
The event's $35 tickets include lunch and must be reserved online by Aug. 21.
Elected twice in the Western Slope-based 3rd Congressional District, Boebert moved at the beginning of the year across the state to Windsor in Weld County, inside the more solidly Republican 4th CD, after Buck announced he wasn't running for reelection.
Calvarese, a former speechwriter for the AFL-CIO and the National Science Foundation who grew up in Highlands Ranch, returned from the East Coast last year to care for her ailing parents, who both died last fall.
The district is ranked as a safe seat for Boebert by national election forecasters, but Calvarese contends she can beat the odds, citing internal polling and a massive fundraising haul in July, since winning the primary.
A spokesman for Boebert's campaign said she is looking forward to the debate.
“Congresswoman Boebert is looking forward to discussing her proven track record as a strong legislator for small businesses, from getting her Pueblo Jobs Act signed into law to securing millions in water and infrastructure projects for Colorado," said Drew Sexton, her campaign manager, in a written statement.
"We’re grateful to the Douglas County EDC and Colorado Politics for providing a platform to share Congresswoman Boebert’s vision for the business community in the 4th District and all of Colorado," he added.
Calvarese said in a statement that voters will be faced with a clear choice between the nominees.
"Hard-working families and small businesses in Colorado are struggling to keep up with soaring costs of food and care. Everywhere I go, people share their housing challenges. Every generation in the workforce is worried about jobs," Calvarese said.
"We need a representative who will listen and then head to Washington believing in the power of ordinary people to rise to these challenges. We can create opportunities, economic security for our families, a level playing field for our small businesses, and keep America competitive."
Calvarese said she hopes the district's voters look beyond partisan labels and put "Main Street over the extreme."
"If folks want someone who represents our district's values and will work hard for us, not their own personal headlines, that's what I offer," she said. "There will be a clear contrast on the debate stage."
Ballots start going out to Colorado voters on Oct. 11 and are due back to county clerks by Nov. 5.
