On Oct. 28, the Republican presidential circus will roll into Boulder. Over the past two GOP debates, we’ve listened to the candidates bicker about egos and personalities amongst each other. That sideshow brand of politics might boost ratings, but there is too much at stake here to have this be a popularity contest.

Instead of another round of TV politics, Coloradans are hoping to see these presidential candidates have a real debate where they address working family issues with real solutions. In order for that to happen, working people’s voices and concerns must be included in the debate – both in the focus of the questions raised and the makeup of the audience sitting in the Coors Event Center at The University of Colorado Boulder.

Sadly, current GOP rhetoric is filled with bombastic rants and personal attacks. The discussion at these debates is great for ratings and social media fodder, but lacks substance. Coloradans deserve straight talk on wages and income inequality. After almost two generations of intentional assault on working people, the GOP candidates have a long way to go to prove they are thinking about what’s best for working families rather than corporate interests. They’d do well to actually use the debate in Boulder as a time to show us policy prescriptions that increase wages so Coloradans can sustain their families.

CU-Boulder workers have been organizing for months. Many of them go to food banks for assistance. They can’t afford to send their kids to schools like the University of Colorado – a state school. We are calling on one of the richest universities in the state to do what’s right for its workers, its students and the surrounding community by raising the minimum wage for CU-Boulder employees to $15 per hour. With an economy out of balance, we need to know precisely how these candidates intend to rewrite the rules in favor of working people. Acknowledging the workers organizing at CU-Boulder is one way to start.

There are several issues the debate moderators and participants can highlight to bring attention to working people’s most pressing concerns: the imbalanced wealth and influence of anti-worker voices in politics, looming bad trade policies, mass incarceration and social justice inequalities and overall skepticism that politicians will fight for working families. Can they commit to raising the wage and putting forth a plan that guarantees a dignified retirement?

About 80 percent of working voters – Democrats and Republicans – say both parties work more for Wall Street and not nearly enough to help average folks. Any candidate who wants to appeal to working people has to participate in an honest conversation about how we can all benefit from what we produce and expand the American Dream. The GOP debate at CU-Boulder offers a prime opportunity to have a real conversation about raising wages, and growing income inequality. The Republican presidential candidates must put forth a bold and comprehensive agenda to raise the wage.

In the 2016 campaign, there will be no place to hide for those who aspire to lead America. The problems of income inequality and stagnant wages are so clear and so abundant that only direct, sweeping action to change the rules will put our nation on a fresh path of progress.

Working families must be present at the GOP presidential debate, both in the discussion between the candidates and in the actual venue. It’s a long shot, but if the Republican presidential debates are going to have any significance beyond a mere cynical ratings grab, then working families must be an integral part of the conversation.

Sam Gilchrist is the executive director of the Colorado AFL-CIO.