AND THE WINNER IS…

June 21, 2018

Let’s say you’re running for governor. The primary is Tuesday, so you have just a few days left to make your case.

Here’s what we want to know: What will you do to improve Colorado’s mental health?

That’s the question we put to nine gubernatorial candidates earlier this year. Watch the full debate or a four-minute recap at mentalhealthcolorado.org/governor2018.

Most of the candidates said they wanted to boost mental health care. They differed when asked how they would pay for it, what steps they would take to address drug and alcohol addiction, and whether they would strengthen insurance reform.

One proposal earned unanimous support: a “red flag” law, which would allow firearms to be temporarily removed from the homes of individuals deemed a significant danger to themselves or others. (A state Senate committee spiked that bill in May.)

Next week’s election will narrow the field not only for governor but also for the state legislature and for Congress. We’ll quiz the nominees and post their answers in the fall.

Will the candidates keep their word if and when they win? That’s up to all of us—join the Brain Wave and pitch in.

-Andrew Romanoff