Voters will choose a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in June by mail-in ballot. The winner of that race will face the Republican Incumbent, Sen. Cory Gardner on November 3rd.
Democratic Primary (June 30, 2020)
Twenty Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate have been reduced to just two, Andrew Romanoff and John Hickenlooper. The vote between these two takes place by mail-in ballot in June.
Andrew Romanoff gained first ballot position by garnering 86% of the votes at the Democratic state assembly. John Hickenlooper petitioned to be on the ballot, after receiving 30% of the votes at caucus.
These candidates participated in a forum in May, conducted by Indivisible Northern Colorado. (The forum begins about two minutes in)
How Colorado U.S. Senate Candidates Stand on Guns
As voters prepare to vote in the June primary or the November general election, we offer this summary on candidates’ positions on gun violence prevention.
Andrew Romanoff (Democrat)
Former speaker of the Colorado House, candidate for US Senate in 2010 and nominee for US House CD 6 in 2014.
Background:
Brought Democrats into control of Colorado House after 28 years in minority.
Only Speaker to serve 2 terms in the last 20+ years.
Brought the mental health community into support of ERPO, worked to get bill
introduced in 2018, and was speaker at the introductory press conference.
Collected signatures for petitions to successfully close the gun show loophole in 2000.
Web site indicates he supports:
Universal Background Checks
High Capacity Magazine Ban
Assault Weapons Ban
Ban on Bump Stocks
Strengthening Straw Purchase Prohibitions
Limit on Bulk Gun Purchases
Funding local evidence-based GVP strategies
Strengthening ATF prohibitions on guns to abusers/stalkers
Requiring Safe Storage
Repeal of Gun Industry Lawsuit Immunity
Waiting Periods
Research funding (rescind Dickey Amdts.)
John Hickenlooper (Democrat)
Former mayor of Denver and Governor of Colorado.
Background:
Signed 2013 gun laws, including Universal Background Checks, High Capacity Magazine
Ban, and Domestic Violence Relinquishment
According to the Denver Post, in June 2014, Hickenlooper told sheriffs he regretted signing the High Capacity Magazine Ban law and that he did so because of a staff commitment, saying “No one in our office thought it would get through the legislature.”
Web Site indicates he supports:
Universal Background Checks
High Capacity Magazine Ban
Assault Weapons Ban
Community-based violence intervention
Strengthen enforcement against gun trafficking
Stop proliferation of Ghost Guns
Repeal Gun Industry Lawsuit Immunity
Cory Gardner, Republican
Incumbent U.S. Senator, former U.S. Rep. for 4th Congressional District, and
former representative in the Colorado House.
Background:
One of the highest recipients of NRA financial support, over $3.8 million during his career.
As a Colorado House member, was the sponsor of the first “Stand Your Ground” – business bill, which would have granted civil and criminal immunity for use of lethal force in a business location. Similar bills have been defeated for 15 years.
Republican majority in Senate continues to block House-passed bills on Universal Background Checks and
Closing the Charleston loophole. Gardner’s presence as a Republican keeps that stranglehold going.
Selected Votes:
2016 – S. amdt 4720 Voted NO on prohibiting firearms to terrorists
2016 – S. amdt 4750 Voted NO on Fix Gun Checks Act
2014 – H. amdt 1098 Voted YES on prohibiting DC from implementing firearms laws
2011 – HR 822 – Voted YES on Concealed Carry (CCW) Reciprocity
2007 – Voted NO on Colorado SB07-34 CCW residency restrictions
