Top Four Mayoral Candidates Debate

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1hour 25min 41sec
Campaign signs for the four candidates participating in a debate at UCCS.
Credit Andrea Chalfin / KRCC
Campaign signs for the four candidates participating in a debate at UCCS.

The themes of leadership, cooperation, and transparency resounded through an auditorium at UCCS at a recent mayoral forum, sponsored by local media organizations.  Billed as a debate featuring the four leading candidates in this year’s Colorado Springs mayoral race, the 90-minute event covered topics such as transportation and regional collaboration.

Listen to the full debate here, with candidates Amy Lathen, Joel Miller, John Suthers and Mary Lou Makepeace (see below for audio of specific questions and answers): 

Two other candidates on the ballot, Lawrence Martinez and Tony Carpenter, expressed disappointment about not being invited. Both Carpenter and Martinez told KRDO that their omission speaks to a lack of interest in listening.  All candidates were sent questionnaires for this year's Citizens Project municipal voter guide, which you can find here

The debate posted above has been divided into specific segments below, two questions per segment.

Opening statements:

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On the city’s expenditures vs. revenue; On rebuilding public trust:

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On regional collaboration; On public transportation, bikeability and walkability:

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On leveraging economic growth and young talent; On strengthening intergovernmental relationships: 

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On the political environment and economic development; On economic recovery: 

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Questions from Media panelists:

On global warming; On the city attorney: 

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On structural, cultural, and political issues inherent to the city; On retaining youth: 

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Candidates another candidate a question:

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Closing statements:

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