Democrat Jared Polis and Republican Walker Stapleton laid out the gubernatorial debates they’re willing to do Monday. Now the haggling on the dates, venues and questions begins.

Both campaigns told Colorado Politics they have been inundated with requests to appear at debates and other joint events.

Polis issued a press release Monday afternoon challenging Stapleton to 13 debates and forums. The campaign also announced that Polis’ former primary challengers – Mike Johnston, Cary Kennedy and Donna Lynne – will serve as surrogates for Polis at three other events – a move evidently aimed at putting to rest whether the party is fractured after the contentious primary that featured attack ads and counter-attack ads.

Most notably, Lynne, the sitting lieutenant governor, will pinch hit for Polis at a Club 20 debate in Grand Junction on Sept. 8. The candidate debates at Club 20 – the Western Slope coalition of counties, business and other civic leaders – is seen as a major event on the state political calendar, but especially for Western Colorado politicos.

Club 20 didn’t take the news well, noting its 22 counties include two U.S. Congressional seats, eight ColoradoHouse districts, four Colorado Senate districts and more than 580,000 Coloradans.

“It is a shame that Candidate Polis is unwilling to participate in a non-partisan forum where our voices can be heard,” Christian Reece, Club 20’s executive director, said in a statement. “No gubernatorial candidate has skipped this debate in recent memory and it is a slap in the face to all of Western Colorado.”

Both campaigns favor doing a debate put on by the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and other partners, however, if they can agree on a date.

In all, the campaigns have five debates in common on their lists, including one in Pueblo and three television station-led debates in Denver.

“Voters in every community across Colorado deserve to know how we plan to address the biggest challenges facing their families – from rising expenses and flat paychecks, to the cost of health care, to the need for better funding for our public schools,” Polis said in a statement. “I am excited to attend these 13 debates and forums and discuss my positive vision to fight for a Colorado where every family has the opportunity to get ahead.”

Stapleton listed Club 20 at the top of his list.

“I look forward to debating Congressman Polis across Colorado and will use these opportunities to show the stark contrast between our two visions,” he said in a statement. “My message of economic opportunity is resonating with voters, and Coloradans understand Congressman Polis’ policies will lead to job losses, higher taxes, and economic ruin for our state. I hope Congressman Polis will accept these debates and join me in discussing the important issues facing Coloradans and our very different visions for addressing them.”

Jared Polis

Debates:

Forums

Surrogates:

Walker Stapleton

Debates