Gubernatorial Candidates Respond to Disability Advocates' Concerns

For the first time in our State’s history, the two major party candidates for Governor appeared at a forum dedicated to issues that are important to people with disabilities. The University of Denver generously hosted this historic gathering on September 14, 2010 at the Newman Center. With only two weeks to plan and mobilize, the disability community made a strong statement when 500 people turned out to hear what candidates Mayor John Hickenlooper and Dan Maes had to say.

The forum was created and organized by a coalition of 36 advocacy organizations, including The Arc in Jefferson County, who wanted to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard during this election. All of The Arc chapters in Colorado sponsored the forum and participated in the planning and execution of this history-making event.

Candidates Hickenlooper and Maes each had a turn at answering questions on subjects like healthcare, the inclusion of people with disabilities in decision making, and waiting lists for services. Aaron Harber, host of Colorado Election 2010, did an excellent job of framing complex questions that could be understood by the immediate audience but also by a much larger, but “perhaps-less-knowledgeable-about-disability-issues”, TV audience. The candidates were thoughtful and attentive. Their responses were short on specifics but the audience could get a sense of how each would approach leadership around solving complicated public policy issues.

Aaron Harber and his team recorded the event for television broadcast and web viewing. Watch the programs below and hear what the candidates had to say!