Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday night made one of his first public, in-depth dives into the race to replace him, gushing that he thinks his No. 2, Donna Lynne, “would be a great governor” and that the contest will be defined by the economy, environment and health care.

2018 candidates for Colorado governor Who is running for governor of Colorado in 2018? (And who is on the fence?)

“She’s like a Hoover vacuum cleaner of problems. They just disappear, and everyone’s happy,” Hickenlooper said of her when asked about top candidates in the race. Lt. Gov. Lynne announced earlier that day that she’s exploring a run for his position.

He added: “I do think she is a remarkably talented person, and if she were to run and to win she would be a great governor. The last thing she needs is for everyone to say, ‘The governor is trying to get her elected’ or ‘pushing her out there to do this.’ ”

Hickenlooper was speaking with Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman as part of a Politico event in Denver. The group also discussed the state of Colorado’s political landscape, the governor’s future aspirations and even a meeting he had with Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir.

In terms of the 2018 Colorado governor’s race, Hickenlooper also sang the praises of other Democrats in the contest, including U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, former state Sen. Mike Johnston and former state treasurer Cary Kennedy.

“There are so many good candidates,” he said.

Businessman Noel Ginsburg is also running in the Democratic primary for governor. There is also a long list of Republicans vying to replace Hickenlooper.

Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Former state treasurer Cary Kennedy.

David Zalubowski, Associated Press file Jared Polis, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Mark Udall in Colorado's 2nd Congressional District, addresses the crowd during the Democrats' gala in Denver on Nov. 4, 2008.

Andy Cross, Denver Post file Former Colorado state Sen. Mike Johnston announces his bid to run for Colorado governor from the Holly Street Community Center in Denver on Jan. 17, 2017.



Kathryn Scott, The Denver Post Noel Ginsburg, Chairman and CEO, Intertech Plastics, Inc., addresses panelists and participants as they join Gov. John Hickenlooper at The Commons in downtown Denver.

Daniel Brenner, Special to the Denver Post Lt. Governor Donna Lynne looks on during Colorado Day Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017 in the Anschutz Hamilton Hall at the History Colorado Center. Colorado is turning 141 and the free event featured multiple dance performances, blacksmithing demonstrations, cake, and more.

The Democrat also took a swipe at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner over his health care votes last week, saying he was upset with how the Republican sided with the GOP majority.

“I was disappointed on the health care thing,” Hickenlooper said. “That he came out and just said, ‘I’m going to support whatever the Senate comes up with. ‘ I was so surprised and disappointed by that because that’s not the Cory Gardner I thought I knew.”

When asked about his political future, Hickenlooper declined — as he has before — to rule anything out. In February, however, he told The Denver Post he wasn’t going to run for president in 2020.

“The moment I start talking about what I’m going to do after I’m done, the moment I start to pack or do anything, not only do I get distracted but all of my Cabinet, everybody gets distracted,” he said. “I think we are close to doing stuff that really matters. I’m not ruling anything out.”