The General Assembly has concluded and now Coloradans can turn to their other favorite activity: general elections. Fortunately, a non-profit news group is conducting a survey of Coloradans to see what we think about issues and candidates. If candidates are listening, the responses can provide guidance on what many Coloradans are hoping for in this election season.

With more than 3,700 responses so far, the Voter Voices survey from the non-partisan Colorado News Collaborative has already shed light on common concerns, some of which are surprising given the scuttlebutt across the nation.

As it turns out, lots of people on the left, middle and right are concerned about democracy and good government followed by the environment, the economy, and immigration. Taxes come in on the low end of “most important concerns.” Who knew, given how much time legislators have fussed and fought about taxing issues.

Stay up to speed: Sign up for daily opinion in your inbox Monday-Friday

Comments show respondents are very concerned about how politicians are addressing problems, not just related to “content” but also to “civility.” Here are some responses to the question: what should candidates focus on the most?

“I want them (candidates) to talk about how they will work in a bi-partisan manner to fix major issues in the country and the state. I am tired of the far right and of the far left and of all their crazy ideas.” Then there’s a plea on the subject: “How to restore trust in our systems and each other.” And there’s a demand on the subject: “Stop just talking party lines and address actual issues. Less division and partisanship.” Here are some interesting ideas candidates could get from their mothers: “Stop bickering. No name calling. Act like you have a brain. Help educate voters that compromise is a good thing.”

Among college students, there’s common space on stopping the Israeli-Palestinian conflagration, the environment, helping other countries with human rights, seeking social justice, housing affordability, transparency with campaign finance and college loans and costs. Their views show their worry regarding the fates of people around the world and in the state, not just their own personal issues.

From Florence, Colorado, we get a sense of humor. “250 characters is a Twitter post, not an answer to what I want to hear the candidates talk about. Do better!” A wry observer from Fort Morgan suggested candidates should not focus on “the other party.” Reinforcement of this view comes from Kiowa County: “I would prefer to hear (candidates’) positions on issues of importance, not just attacking ‘the other guy’ or denigrating the other party.”

It’s interesting people can agree on their most important issue, such as “democracy and good governance,” but have different perspectives on what that means. One respondent who cited “democracy and good government” as the most important concern also responded this way to the question “what should candidates focus on”: “How our nation can become and will become strong again, financially, militarily, economically, spiritually, patriotically, and most important, secure borders.” Another person added, “A strong and free America. No lies!” Then there’s this comment, “I would like to hear the truth, not just political rhetoric and half-lies. It would be nice to see humility, compassion, and caring.” This request seems most reasonable: “How (candidates) will work to serve our needs and not their own.”

One survey source had just more than 200 individuals respond “fully confident” to whether they believe in national election fairness. Seventy-five of those respondents reported “not at all” to their confidence in national elections. Local elections fare better with just more than 350 believing in their fairness and just more than 20 asserting “not at all” confident. It’s helpful most Coloradans believe in their local county clerks who will certainly assure both national and local elections are conducted with the appropriate attention to accuracy and transparency.

Newsrooms and other media with election interests will make this survey available through the election season. It would be great if lots more people respond so newsrooms and candidates can target their questions, ideas, values, considerations and reporting based on the survey’s data as context.

These 3,700-plus respondents have offered their views. It’s a start. Candidates better bone up on their democracy and good government thoughts, ideas on the environment, methods to improve the economy and views on rights as varied as abortion and the Second Amendment.

If you haven’t completed the survey, here’s a link. It doesn’t take long to fill in the form. You can express your views like this person: “Keep those liberals away from the Western Slope!” Or like this person: “Why is the current administration, especially the DoJ, using anti-Constitution, anti-citizen, oppressive, and illegal actions to silence dissenting views and to break federal laws?” Or like this perspective on how candidates show their principles: “Are they swayed by public opinion or rather the rule of law? What do they recognize as the greatest issue facing Colorado?” Or like this query on values: “Do they believe in democracy, justice, and equal rights for everyone or only for the people that agree with them?”

Newsrooms across Colorado are eager to hear from you. Ears open!

Paula Noonan owns Colorado Capitol Watch, the state’s premier legislature tracking platform.