Incumbent Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper made an hour-long stop in Meeker on Monday at Mountain Valley Bank before visiting the new Pioneers Medical Center site.
The bank’s meeting room had a standing-room-only crowd of Republicans and Democrats from both sides of the county. Hickenlooper answered audience questions about the energy industry in Northwestern Colorado. He also addressed Colorado’s economic and business growth—the state has the No. 1 growing economy in the nation, and talked about how Colorado was the first state ever to face 13 major disasters from floods to fires in just one year. According to Hickenlooper, Colorado is being watched for its ability to bring energy, environment and government groups together to work out an energy policy that will satisify everyone. He also pointed out that Colorado’s abortion rate has dropped 40 percent and teen pregnancy is down 35 percent.