Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet greeted a far friendlier crowd at a Thursday town hall in Colorado Springs after weathering intense criticism at his previous showing in Golden this week.

The town hall was the third and last in a series of live events with the senator around Colorado. 

Heads were nodding along to Bennet as he fielded questions in the Harrison High School auditorium. Most of the evening was devoted to a relatively frictionless discussion on how to better push back on the recent actions of president Donald Trump’s administration and Republican policies. 

“I think our institutions are being challenged in ways they haven’t been in generations,” he said.

The tenor of the event contrasted sharply with the latest forum Bennet shared with Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen, where some audience members were escorted by law enforcement from the venue amid protests and interruptions.

Sen. Bennet town hall gets heated; Democrat scheduled to be in Colorado Springs Thursday

Constituents in Golden voiced frustrations about the senator’s perceived lack of a strong stance against Trump and the Republicans. More subdued criticisms came from Colorado Springs, with some shouts of “How?” and “Fight harder” over talk about the need for action on combating Trump administration policies.

The senator was quick to acknowledge the sentiment but put some of the impetus for change on the audience to vote and contribute. He focused on sweeping changes in political frameworks on tax policy, education and the economy. 

“I’m also grateful for people saying you’re not doing enough, you’ve got to do more,” said Bennet.

Frustration over opposition efforts came up in a majority of questions fielded by the senator. 

“We’re always on the defensive, we need to be on the offensive,” said one audience member. 

After the event, Bennet said that each of his three town halls this week had different atmospheres and that he welcomed conversations with constituents, even when heated. 

“Last night there were obviously some people who had come there to protest me. Tonight, not so much,” he said.