One month ago, CPR joined newsrooms across the state to launch an ambitious project: invite the people of Colorado to tell us what they want politicians to talk about in this election, and use their answers to help guide the stories we tell.

So far, more than 3,100 people from places big and small and everywhere in between have responded to that call and filled out the Voter Voices survey. 

“I’d like to see candidates focus not only on our rights as Americans, but also on our obligations to be informed, involved, open to compromise, civil, nonviolent,” wrote Sydney Schnurr of Buena Vista, who credited Richard Haass’ book, “The Bill of Obligations,” as an influence. “In other words, to put our country first.”

“What the U.S. can do to make the world more stable,” is the question a Fort Collins man said candidates need to answer. “Employment rate is near pre-COVID levels, what can be done to get prices down after 9% increases in 2022 — it’s great that inflation is ONLY 3%/yr now but prices are still 20-30% higher than 2019.”

The Coloradans who filled out the survey so far make it clear they want politicians to discuss issues like the environment, housing affordability, immigration, health care and education.