Colorado Democratic Governor Primary Focuses on Housing Crisis and Policy Differences

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser are the two Democratic candidates vying for Colorado's governorship in the June 30 primary. In a recent Q&A, Bennet pledged to keep housing costs below 30% of income, proposing starter homes, reduced permitting, and state‑funded financing, while Weiser targeted adding 40,000 affordable units by 2035 through new construction, trade education and rent protections.

At what was billed as their final major debate on June 13, the candidates clashed over ambition and specifics. Bennet promoted a cap‑and‑invest system to charge polluters and called for bold climate action, whereas Weiser emphasized expanding the state's solar grid and appointing renewable‑energy advocates to the Public Utilities Commission. On healthcare, Bennet advocated a public option for those earning too much for Medicaid, while Weiser suggested a scaled‑back primary‑care expansion. Both supported legislation to allow lot splitting and smaller home construction to address Colorado's housing shortage, though they differ on the approach and scale of solutions.