Elizabeth Velasco, incumbent, and Caleb Waller debated key issues such as economic regulations, energy policy, and local control at a community forum hosted by the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, KMTS and the Glenwood Springs Post Independent on Thursday at Glenwood Springs City Hall. The two candidates for House District 57 presented sharply different approaches to tackling these issues as they addressed questions from local voters.

The forum kicked off with a focus on the economy, where both candidates were asked how they would address rising inflation and improve the financial well-being of Coloradans. The two took starkly different approaches, reflecting their opposing views on the role of government.

Waller, a small business owner and father of seven, emphasized the burden that rising prices have placed on working families like his own. He blamed much of this on excessive regulation by the state, which he argued creates unnecessary barriers for businesses and drives up costs for consumers.

“Being a father of seven kids and a wife, trust me, we feel the impacts of that here,” Waller said. “The state has layers upon layers of legislation that have created such a burden on the residents of western Colorado that, even on small businesses and the tax base, it’s made it almost impossible to thrive due to the amount of red tape.”

Waller said he believes cutting regulations would give small businesses the freedom to thrive, which he argued would lead to higher wages and more job opportunities.

“I think it’s important for me as a legislator to go there and say, let’s figure out how we can give more freedoms to small business owners,” Waller said.

Velasco, however, focused on supporting working families directly through legislative action. She highlighted her efforts during her first term, which included passing bills to address affordability and housing issues, two major challenges for the district.

“We know that in our communities, many of us have to work multiple jobs to pay rent,” Velasco said. “That was my experience as well, living in our beautiful communities. The affordability issue is a real one for all our working families in the district.”

She explained that her approach has focused on ensuring that workers are paid a living wage, funding affordable housing projects, and removing barriers for workers to organize and gain more protections.

“We passed renters’ protections for the community members who are not able to afford to buy a home at this moment,” Velasco said. “We continue to work in a regional way. We cannot stand alone.”

Velasco emphasized that the economic challenges facing the district require cooperation between local governments, neighboring counties, and federal officials to secure the necessary resources.

“We must work together with our neighboring counties, with our federal delegation, to make sure we’re getting the resources that we need for all the things that we care about,” Velasco said.

Energy production was another major topic of debate, with both candidates offering contrasting views on the role of fossil fuels and renewable energy in the state’s future. Velasco, a member of the state’s Energy and Environment Committee, advocated for expanding renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen while ensuring reliability.

“We passed regulations around incentivizing hydrogen energy, solar, wind, agrovoltaics, and we also passed a bill around doing a study to see if small reactor nuclear would be an option for the Western Slope,” Velasco said. “We must make sure that we have reliable energy for everyone.”

She also pointed out that Colorado is leading the way in renewable energy and noted that the regulations and guidelines passed for hydrogen energy in Colorado are now the federal standard for hydrogen hubs across the nation.

“Colorado continues to be a leader when it comes to sustainable energy and affordable energy, clean energy, and making sure we are also holding industry accountable for the impacts they have on our communities,” Velasco said.

Waller, however, voiced concerns about the state’s focus on renewable energy, arguing that solar and wind projects are only surviving due to heavy government subsidies.

“What we’re looking at is that solar, wind, and hydrogen, the renewable energies, are facing a 30% subsidy from the government. That’s the only way they’re functioning,” Waller said. “The state is picking winners and losers.”

He advocated for an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy production that includes fossil fuels and renewable energy, but one that allows the market to decide which sources work best.

“If our intention is to regulate in order to force an industry out of business, we need to check our motive,” Waller said. “Let’s create a path for all energy to work, and when it meets the market, it will work.”

Velasco countered by stressing that regulations are necessary to hold industries accountable for their environmental impact and protect public health. She pointed to a bill she helped pass that increased oil and gas production fees to invest in transportation and infrastructure in Colorado.

“I was proud to pass a bill to increase oil and gas production fees to invest in transportation in Colorado,” Velasco said. “We have aggressive goals when it comes to emission reduction, when it comes to making sure that everyone in our community has access to clean air and clean water.”

Velasco added that funding from these increased fees would help address issues like closing orphan wells and remediating land damaged by industrial activity.

“We must continue to get the funding to address the impacts and footprints of industry, like closing orphan wells, making sure that our schools stay open, and that we’re not closing schools because of broken gas lines,” Velasco said.

The candidates also weighed in on political division and how they would work to bridge the widening gap between urban and rural Colorado. Waller expressed concern about increasing polarization and said his campaign is focused on bringing people together.

“I launched my campaign on the word togetherness,” Waller said. “I saw such division, and it hit me in the gut.”

He shared that he’s made efforts to reach across the aisle by inviting his opponent for coffee, though he says she has not accepted his invitation yet. Waller argued that if elected officials can’t talk and have civil conversations, they can’t make real progress.

“If we can’t talk, if we can’t have civil conversations, how can we go to the Capitol and formulate policy?” Waller asked.

Velasco acknowledged the importance of working across party lines but emphasized the need to stand up against extremism when it arises, particularly when marginalized communities are under attack.

“We must call out attacks against our LGBTQ community, against migrants in a district that is 30% Latino,” Velasco said. “Whenever we see attacks and derogatory language, we must not stay silent.”

Velasco reiterated her commitment to being a strong voice for the district and said she would continue to focus on advocating for the needs of all residents, while working to address the challenges unique to the Western Slope.

“I am here to stand up strongly for our district and continue to be a strong voice for us,” Velasco said.

In their closing statements, both candidates reflected on their campaigns and offered voters their final pitches. Waller emphasized unity and his desire to represent everyone in the district, from new immigrants to long-time residents.

“It would be the greatest privilege of my life to represent the great people of western Colorado,” Waller said. “I plan to fight for the rights of everyone.”

Velasco, reflecting on her historic election as the first Mexican-born legislator in Colorado, reiterated her dedication to representing working families and advocating for the resources the district needs to thrive.

“I look forward to continuing to do the work of representing our community proudly,” Velasco said. “Together, we can address the issues that matter most to us.”

Election day is set for Nov. 5.