Walker Stapleton was at home in Greenwood Village Thursday night after a long day of campaigning, as he took questions from Coloradans over the telephone about his plans as governor.

The Republican nominee told listeners he can identify the pots of money to fund transportation without a tax hike, as well as run government more efficiently to steer more money into health care, classrooms and teacher pay.

In the telephone town hall he repeatedly said his Democratic opponent, Jared Polis, was making empty, expensive promises.

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“I have worked collaboratively with Democrats in the legislature on really important economic policy legislation for Colorado,” he said before naming some examples.

Stapleton named federal bipartisan projects he had worked in support of, including the Jordan Cove pipeline project that would help Colorado’s natural gas exports. Polis hasn’t taken a position on Jordan Cove.

During the town hall the Republican nominee sought to cast Polis to the left of the current Democrat in the governor’s chair, John Hickenlooper.

“Congressman Polis represents a radical departure from John Hickenlooper,” Stapleton said on the call.

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Thursday morning, President Trump reminded voters whose team Stapleton was on in a tweet.

“@WalkerStapleton will be an extraordinary Governor for the State of Colorado. He is strong, smart, and has been successful at everything he has ever done….,” the president said in the first tweet, before continuing in another.

“….His opponent, Jared Polis, is weak on crime and weak on borders – could never do the job. Get out and VOTE – Walker has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Polis tweeted back that Stapleton was a “yes-man” and voters should eschew divisive leadership and “take a stand for civility and for protecting our amazing Colorado way of life.”

Stapleton is trailing in the polls in a year trending toward Democrats. He talked up his ability to work with both parties. He has previously said he supports Trump when the fellow Republican’s work helps Colorado, but he doesn’t vouch for the erstwhile president’s “personality.”

Thursday night Stapleton maintained his support for the oil and gas industry, casting doubt on the cost and viability of Polis’ goal of moving the state to 100 percent renewable energy to 2040.

“I believe the values all of us care about in Colorado of clean air, safe and responsible energy and an industry that ultimately protects our values … are not values that are mutually exclusive from having a well-functioning energy industry,” Stapleton said.

“We can have both, and anyone who tells you differently is having you make a false choice.”

Stapleton went on to say he supports more water storage in Colorado to retain water the state has rights to but can’t store in wet years. That water is lost to downstream states. Polis favors water conservation methods, but he hasn’t ruled out new or larger reservoirs.

He told the callers he would pay for transportation projects from four sources: the entire annual windfall from the federal tax cuts, any new taxes when sports betting is legalized in Colorado, efficiency in highway projects and curbing abuses in those avoiding taxes by buying medical marijuana.

On health care, Stapleton said the state has to do a better job of managing the Medicaid expansion brought about by Obamacare to make the system efficient enough to cover those who need it and remain sustainable.

“All those elements of Medicaid need to work collaboratively to help us reduce costs, so that we don’t bankrupt the state of Colorado,” Stapleton told the listeners. “We can make health care sustainable and improve access.”

He said Polis’ Medicare for all promise couldn’t be kept.

“I don’t want to make an empty government promise of free that will result in longer lines, less quality of care and few doctors in critical rural areas of Colorado,” Stapleton said.