Now that you have your ballot, here's where candidates for governor stand on key Colorado issues

Nick Coltrain | The Coloradoan

Show Caption Hide Caption What to do with two primary election ballots

Between regular life, Fort Collins' swiftest road to Rocky Mountain National Park finally re-opening, and the Red Rocks Amphitheater's summer schedule in full swing, who has time to dive into all the Colorado primary election candidates' positions?

The Coloradoan, that's who.

Before you mail your ballots or hit the polls in person June 26, check out this cheat sheet on where each of the eight major party candidates stands on key issues for the people of Colorado.

MORE ON THE ELECTION:

► Learn what separates GOP candidates for Larimer County Commission

► Congressional candidates want Medicare for all and to impeach Trump. Money divides them

► Colorado primary election FAQs: Here's what you need to know

► Colorado primary election guide: Where to vote, FAQs, who's running for governor and more

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Colorado primary election FAQs: Here's what you need to know

Here's what you need to know about the 2018 primary election Larimer County clerk Angela Myers gives a primer on what you need to know for this year's primary.

Note: Candidates are listed in the order they appear on sample ballots posted by the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder at VoteLarimer.org; Republicans are listed first because there are more registered Republicans than Democrats in Larimer County (though unaffiliated voters top both). All positions and quotes are taken from the candidates' campaign websites or direct communication with the Coloradoan, unless otherwise noted.

Republicans

Gun laws

Walker Stapleton: Supports teachers voluntarily carrying concealed weapons. Supports repeal of "misguided" 2013 gun control measures limiting magazine size and requiring more background checks. Advocates increased security at schools and "properly investing in mental health services" to curb mass shootings.

Greg Lopez: Believes the Second Amendment is the "most powerful 27 words" in the Bill of Rights. Supports states recognizing each others' concealed carry permits and military members concealed carry. Supports repeal of high-capacity magazine ban (Colorado Independent). Criticizes Red Flag bills, which would allow the temporary removal of guns from people determined to be a risk to themselves or others, as jeopardizing a person's constitutional right to due process.

Doug Robinson: Would repeal ban on high-capacity magazines and refers to it as "feel-good legislation." Would focus on keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and those with mental health problems, while ensuring "sufficient due process protections." Adds, "as a last line of defense, make sure every school has an armed guard(s) or fully trained armed administrator or teacher. Taking away guns is not the answer."

Victor Mitchell: Supports repeal of the state ban on high-capacity magazines.

Education

Stapleton: Calls expanded school choice a "central component" of his platform. Supports charter schools, which are "at the forefront of education reform."

Lopez: Supports charter schools and school vouchers and public money to support private schools. Supports pay for performance for teachers (in which teachers can receive bonuses based on student achievement), and teaching trade skills for students who desire it.

Robinson: Supports expanding school choice and a private-public partnership to increase STEM education. Wants school district flexibility on teacher licensing and "differentiated pay and career pathways for teachers based on performance and job category." Would create incentive for school districts "that matches every dollar they move from administration into the classroom dollar for dollar."

Mitchell: Wants to earmark all state funding for higher education for STEM disciplines. Would emphasize vocational training. Supports school vouchers.

Transportation

Stapleton: Would re-bond existing revenue from gasoline tax to pay for transportation needs and otherwise make CDOT work within its existing budget. Argues extra money for transportation can come by "significantly reducing administrative costs across state government."

Lopez: Public officials should "exhaust all other options available and properly evaluate the priorities within the state budget before asking Coloradans to give up more of their hard earned money for transportation." (Colorado Independent)

Robinson: Would outsource road maintenance to drive down costs. Criticizes Gov. John Hickenlooper for lack of general fund investment in interstate expansion. Would ask voters to approve bonds "so we can take on the biggest pain points immediately."

Mitchell: Opposes more tax dollars for CDOT or any tax increase: Campaign video shows dollar bills being flushed down a toilet bearing the department's logo.

Health care

Stapleton: He referred to single-payer health care initiative Amendment 69, known as ColoradoCare, as "terrible" and said health care is one of the "big economic problems" that involved him in public service (Westword). Argues for price transparency and increased access to community health clinics to address costs.

Lopez: Supports evaluation of health care costs and whether competition will help subdue costs. Supports small business and "good paying jobs" to help people afford health care they desire. Supports a central platform to evaluate health care plans. Opposes single-payer health care and cites the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an example of why it won't work. (Colorado Independent; Westword)

Robinson: Would mandate publishing the costs of medical procedures and medications. Would implement an asset test for Medicaid eligibility, citing wealthy retirees who lack traditional income and thus qualify for the program. Advocates requiring health care providers to disclose prices to spur competition, and allow groups to pool to purchase insurance, especially in rural areas.

Mitchell: Promotes primary care clinics like the nonprofit Health Wagon in Virginia, which travels to medically underserved populations to provide care with low out-of-pocket costs. Emphasizes clinic-based and preventive care. Plans to repeal the state health insurance exchange and "put patients in charge of their health care." Would try to make insurance reserved for specialty care.

Taxpayers' Bill of Rights/state funding

Stapleton: "TABOR holds government accountable, promotes bipartisanship, and has kept us from careening into disastrous debt crisis that have crippled other states." Calls TABOR "a critical check on the growth of state government."

Lopez: Would look at current funding to ensure if its being properly utilized: Asking taxpayers to change funding "should always be the last option." (Colorado Independent)

Robinson: "TABOR is an essential protection for Colorado taxpayers. I am a strong TABOR supporter, and I think it’s a bulwark for our state. If it weren’t for TABOR, we’d be California already." Argues the budget must be prioritized for infrastructure and education, while emphasizing efficiency among state agencies and reducing state health care costs.

Mitchell: Supports existing funding structure for Colorado. (Colorado Independent)

Environment and energy

Stapleton: Calls for a "stable business environment to ensure a low-cost energy supply that will attract and retain businesses in Colorado." Says he won't pursue "agenda-driven, burdensome, job-killing regulations." Wants better state-federal communication on how federal lands are managed. Says he is running because he fears a Democratic governor would "end the energy industry" in Colorado. (Colorado Independent)

Lopez: Argues that the state coal industry "has been unfairly treated by bureaucrats" from out of state and reminds people that coal-fired plants are likely what's charging their electric cars. Does not think 100 percent renewable energy is feasible by 2040 and says diversification "remains the most prudent approach" to energy. (Colorado Independent)

Robinson: Says the oil and gas industry "plays a vital role" in the state and can balance environmental protections "by supporting common sense regulations." Supports all-of-the-above energy strategy and says "it is not the role of government to pick winners and losers," in reference to a push for 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. (Colorado Independent)

Mitchell: Says climate change "is likely real" and that the federal government should launch "moonshot" initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Says government also should not choose "winners and losers," either with subsidies or "excessive" taxes and regulations. Notes fossil fuels are currently most reliable and least expensive energy, but it could be different tomorrow. Calls preserving the environment, air quality and water supply "paramount to our future and quality of life."

Democrats

Gun laws

Cary Kennedy: Supports "Red Flag" law to allow temporary removal of firearms from people deemed a risk to themselves or others. Would "ban the sale of military style assault weapons designed to quickly kill large numbers of people," and bump stocks and silencers.

Jared Polis: Supports "our Second Amendment right to use guns for defense and sport." Wants "to get weapons of war off our streets" and keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. Supports a red flag law and would "crack down on illegal gun sales that evade background-check laws." Notes support as congressman for universal background checks, assault weapons ban and ending a ban on federally funded research into gun violence.

Donna Lynne: Would ban gun modifications like bump stocks, "which turn semi-automatic weapons effectively into full automatic guns." Would treat gun violence like a public health crisis to be addressed like automobile safety or air pollution.

Mike Johnston: Would ban bump stocks and "assault rifles and other weapons of war." Supports "gun violence restraining orders" to remove firearms from people believed by family, law enforcement, or teachers to be mentally ill or making verified threats. Would seek to keep guns from people convicted of domestic violence, hate crimes or at risk of harming themselves or others.

Education

Kennedy: Says teacher pay should equal the national average and that of similarly educated professionals. Supports university scholarships for future teachers who commit to working in underserved areas. Wants universal access to preschool and full-day kindergarten and for high schools to offer technical and vocational programs.

Polis: Wants free full-day preschool and full-day kindergarten. Supports student loan relief for teachers in high-need areas. Would add to Building Excellent Schools Today program (partially funded by marijuana tax money) to build out school infrastructure. Emphasizes need to reduce class sizes and increase teacher pay.

Lynne: Plans to invest $60 million in the Colorado Preschool Program to ensure preschool access for children in families with sub-$45,000-per-year incomes. Wants another $40 million in the state child care assistance program to "eliminate unmet need." Would explore housing subsidies and loan forgiveness for teachers in underserved areas. Would convene "broad, bipartisan group" to tackle constitutional reform and education funding.

Johnston: Would repeal TABOR revenue cap and funnel it into an average raise of $2,000 per teacher. Supports free full-day kindergarten. Supports tuition-free community college and technical school. Seeks loan forgiveness and homeownership support for teachers in underserved communities.

Transportation

Kennedy: Supports expanding Bustang and connecting local bus services. Wants to pursue high-speed rail along Interstate 25 corridor from Fort Collins to Pueblo. Would increase electric vehicle charging stations statewide.

Polis: Would expand broadband access to minimize travel needs in the state. Supports ongoing study of passenger rail from Fort Collins to Pueblo and its connection to other transit, such as light rail, buses and ride-sharing services. In pursuing transportation funding, says he will protect K-12, seniors, public safety and health care.

Lynne: “As does Gov. Hickenlooper, I support the responsible use of general fund dollars and additional revenue — whether that’s a gas tax, sales tax or other — from taxpayers as the only way to meet our dramatic transportation needs — $9B over the next decade alone.” (Colorado Independent) Says build-out of transportation infrastructure must be tied to affordable housing and jobs.

Johnston: Would make energy efficiency/electric vehicles "the most attractive alternative" transportation and bring charging infrastructure statewide. Supports upcoming technologies, such as high-speed transit and autonomous vehicles. Would ask voters for funding changes to pay for Interstate 25/Interstate 70 upgrades.

Health care

Kennedy: Refers to health care as a right. Wants a public health insurance option where people can buy into Colorado's Medicaid program and the health plans available to state employees.

Polis: Refers to health care as a right. Supports federal "Medicare for all" plans. Would pursue regional "western single-payer" for universal health care coverage among western states. Would resurrect customer-owned co-op for health care and explore other mid-range options in pursuit of "a truly universal health care system."

Lynne: Would ensure all Medicaid/Child Health Plan Plus eligible Coloradans are enrolled. Cites need to stabilize individual markets. Wants to explore public option to allow people to buy into state-employee health care plans. Wants greater health care price transparency and for the state to have more ability to negotiate pricing options on behalf of residents.

Johnston: Would allow people to buy in to the Medicaid program if no plans are offered with premiums less than 10 percent of their income. Would fight for health care cost transparency. Supports Medicaid expansion to undocumented children and pregnant women.

Taxpayers' Bill of Rights/state funding

Kennedy: Would pursue bipartisan reform of TABOR to end tax revenue caps "so we can invest in education and build back what we've lost."

Polis: "We must tackle the problems created by both TABOR and the Gallagher Amendment to ensure communities across our state have access to great public schools and better roads with less traffic — while making sure Coloradans have a voice in the taxes they pay." (Colorado Independent). Would build bipartisan coalition for any initiative concerning TABOR (Ask Me Anything on Reddit). Describes need to "modernize TABOR to meet our modern needs."

Lynne: "It makes no sense to have competing constitutional amendments that simultaneously cap spending and require spending at the same time. We must look holistically at all the amendments that put our state budget on auto pilot aimed at the ground." Says many Coloradans like voting on taxes, but other parts of TABOR, such the revenue cap, can be fixed. Says hospital provider fee gives the state about three years of cover before needing to address TABOR cap issues (Alamosa News, Westword)

Johnston: Wants to repeal "the worst parts of TABOR" to allow the state to keep revenue it raises via taxpayer-approved taxes, i.e., he would fight to remove the revenue cap.

Environment and energy

Kennedy: Will "guarantee" all Colorado homes and businesses can choose 100 percent renewable energy and double the state renewable energy standard, which currently requires cooperative utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewables.

Polis: Pledges to protect public lands from "Donald Trump and polluters." Will create path to 100 percent renewable energy as way to protect the environment and create "good-paying green jobs that can't be outsourced." Says 100 percent renewable energy is achievable "by 2040 or sooner." (Colorado Independent)

Lynne: Advocates for a "'no slogans, balanced approach to energy production" that includes local control on where and how energy production happens, property rights, and people who work in extraction industries. Says "health and safety of all Coloradans is our top priority when we are dealing with energy and the environment."

Johnston: Pledges 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. Wants to increase setbacks for oil and gas wells, cap orphan wells and "avoid drilling in ecologically sensitive areas."

Correction: This story initially misstated the timeline of Johnston's renewable energy pledge. It has been updated.

Transparency (both parties)

None of the candidates feature government transparency as an issue on their campaign websites. The Coloradoan submitted a questionnaire to each campaign, which included the question, "What, if anything, needs to be done to improve transparency of state government and public agencies in general?" Here are their responses.

Kennedy: "Cary opened the books of government in Colorado and in Denver by publishing the state’s and the city’s expenditures online with searchable databases, publishing the first-ever taxpayer accountability report for the state and the city and creating the first-ever online receipt for taxpayers. Cary was recognized by the Colorado Freedom of Information Council for improving transparency and as governor, she will continue to expand transparency and openness in state government."

Polis: "The public deserves to know what decisions their government is making, what their impacts will be, and who is influencing them. That includes robust and responsive public input on state projects and bringing transparency measures to the true cost of health care from providers and insurers. I will also work with counties and municipalities to create a more uniform campaign finance reporting system so that Coloradans have easy access to learning who is funding ballot measures and candidates across the state."

Lynne: " I have made better transparency and accountability a hallmark of my time as lieutenant governor. Today, Coloradans can easily see progress from our various areas of government through the Colorado dashboard, which tracks where we are succeeding and where there is more work to do. I would continue my work in this area to enhance state transparency so all Coloradans can see their tax dollars at work."

Stapleton: "We should have full line item budget transparency at all of our state agencies. The money we take every year from hardworking Coloradans is the only reason we have a state government and as investors in our government, taxpayers and citizens should have access to information telling them exactly where their dollars are going and how they are being spent. This would not only lead to a leaner, and more efficient state government, but would also go a long way in restoring accountability in our state government."

Robinson: "We need to hold our government more accountable and make it more transparent, and that starts at the top. As governor, I’ll implement a half day a month where any citizen can meet with me to share their thoughts and concerns. I will also improve our online disclosure of each agencies spending."

Johnston: Did not respond.

Lopez: Did not respond.

Mitchell: Did not respond.