Three Republican candidates for Colorado governor are scheduled to debate on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6 p.m. [1].
The event serves as a critical platform for candidates to define their platforms before primary voters. It specifically addresses pressing student concerns regarding housing and job availability within the state [2].
Barb Kirkmeyer, Scott Bottoms, and Victor Marx are the three participants slated for the event [3]. The debate is being broadcast live on 9NEWS and will be available via the 9NEWS+ app [1]. The production is a joint partnership between the University of Denver, Colorado Politics, and The Denver Gazette [1].
While the schedule lists three participants, the presence of all candidates remains a point of contention. Spokespeople for Kirkmeyer and Bottoms said they have not shared a stage with Marx for a forum or debate since the early days of the campaign [4]. They said Marx has been skipping most debates [4].
University of Denver students have signaled a desire for concrete answers on the cost of living and employment opportunities [2]. The candidates are expected to address these systemic issues as part of their broader gubernatorial strategies during the broadcast [2].
“Three Republican candidates for Colorado governor are scheduled to debate on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.”
This debate highlights the internal friction within the Colorado GOP primary. The discrepancy between the official participant list and the candidates' reported history of avoiding shared stages suggests a fragmented field, where the actual appearance of all three candidates may be as significant as the policy discussions themselves.
