Politics hits home in Evergreen

It's been an active political season in the Centennial State, and some of Colorado's most interesting and heated races will be coming to Evergreen Oct. 5 for a forum at the Lake House.

The event is being sponsored by the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, and here's the good part: The public can submit questions for the candidates in advance. Just e-mail the chamber at admin@evergreenchamber.org with the subject line “Evergreen Candidate Forum Question.”

Participants will include rivals at various levels of government, starting with the highly contested governor’s race. Candidates for U.S. Congress, state Senate District 16, state House District 25 and county commissioner also will attend.

The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. Chamber president Melanie Nuchols will make the welcoming remarks and will introduce the Courier's new publisher, Tim Zeman. I'll be moderating the forum, and I'd like to start with a big thanks to Russ Campbell, who has organized the event and rounded up the candidates:

• Governor: Dan Maes, R-Evergreen, and Tom Tancredo of the American Constitution Party; Democrat John Hickenlooper's running mate, Joe Garcia, will represent him.

• Jefferson County commissioner: Kathy Hartman (D) and Don Rosier (R)

• State House District 25: Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, uncontested.

• State Senate District 16: Jeanne Nicholson, D-Gilpin County, and Tim Leonard, R-Evergreen

• U.S. House, District 6: John Flerlage, D-South Jeffco; incumbent Mike Coffman will send a representative.

I look forward to seeing our readers there.