This week represents an important one for our campaign: Four forums across our great state, with different groups and opportunities to learn. Stated simply, showing up and listening to all communities inspires me. And it guides my work in public service.
As a public servant, I firmly believe that it’s best to show up all across Colorado, to listen to community members, and to build relationships. The first forum of this week was held by Colorado Muslim Vote. The forum was historic in that the local Muslim community had never held such a forum before. And (originally) both my primary opponent, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, and I were set to participate. But as explained by the organizer, after making a series of demands to change the format, Senator Bennet pulled out of the forum. But that didn’t stop me from going to learn from the community members—people who made the time to be there and discuss important issues that matter to them.
I went to the Colorado Muslim Vote forum knowing I would receive questions that were both tough and important. The people who joined were dedicated to their communities, their neighbors, and their families. Sometimes they showed their agreement with my thoughts and positions; other times, they expressed their displeasure. But the crowd showed their appreciation that I was willing to show up, listen to their concerns, and answer their questions. In my opening statement (following the organizer’s introduction in the video), I shared this core value of mine: “I believe deeply in showing up, listening to you; we may not always agree, but I promise I will listen to you, I will work with you, and I care about you.”
At the Colorado Muslim Vote forum, I also spoke about the importance of inclusion, protecting all vulnerable communities from hate crimes, standing up for the First Amendment’s protection of free expression, and my commitment to supporting economic opportunity and mobility for all. I told the group that these values are especially personal to me because of my family’s story. My mom and grandmother survived the Holocaust and were liberated by U.S. Army soldiers. They came to the United States for its promise of freedom and opportunity for all. I want to serve as your next Governor to fight for these values—and because I believe deeply that all of us need all of us.
Later this week, we have three other forums designed to give important communities the same opportunity to be heard and ask questions of the candidates for Governor:
- Thursday, April 9th, Mount Carmel, a veterans group in Colorado Springs, is holding a Governor’s Forum
- Friday, April 10th, Durango Indivisible is holding a Governor’s Forum;
- Saturday, April 11th, Western Colorado Alliance is hosting The People’s Forum
I’ll be there for all three. But unfortunately, like the Colorado Muslim Vote forum, Senator Bennet ultimately refused to join any of these forums.
I believe democracy depends on leaders who show up, listen, and engage, especially when there are hard questions to be answered. That’s why I have shown up as Attorney General in every county in Colorado, willing to engage on any topic or question. And I believe that failing to do so not only falls short of what the voters deserve, but it’s disrespectful.
When I worked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I witnessed firsthand how she “always championed dialogue and openness to criticism as a way to generate better outcomes.” That’s the public servant you can always expect me to be.
* * *
To each of you, my commitment is to show up, respectfully listen, and work towards solutions together. In Colorado, we can and we must be a model of collaborative problem solving—and I know that starts with listening. Let’s get to work.