Denverites who know the colorful Republican Ken Chlouber wonder how the tough- talking, burro-racing, self-described cowboy is playing with the yuppie set in Vail. Chlouber, who served 10 years as a state representative and eight years as a state senator, wants another turn in the House in District 56, a territory that includes some of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts and where most voters are registered independents.
Democrats are fielding Dan Gibbs, director of Congressman Mark Udall‘s Western Slope office who once managed a whitewater rafting company. Incumbent Democrat Gary Lindstrom is not seeking re-election.
Chlouber’s old Senate district included Douglas, El Paso and other conservative counties. By contrast, HD 56 includes Eagle and Summit counties, home to Breckenridge and Vail, where the fur-clad millionaires probably don’t know the difference between a donkey and a mule. (It might not matter since many likely don’t vote there.)
Chlouber, a retired Leadville miner endorsed by organized labor, says he’s confident his legislative experience and folksy charm will play well with the counties “over the hill” from his Lake County home.
Democrats are betting otherwise. In 2002, when Chlouber challenged U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in the heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District of Denver, neither he nor his three mules got a friendly welcome from folks in the upscale Hilltop neighborhood – or from Denver police, who threatened to ticket him for bringing livestock to a GOP assembly. Chlouber calls his mules Democrats and uses them for show.
Democrats believe their guy is ideally suited to the district. “Dan Gibbs is going to win that race,” said House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. “He has lived and worked in the district and is … intimately familiar with the needs of the district, from bark beetle infestation to Interstate 70 congestion.”
Chlouber says, “It’s kind of a popular opinion that the ski towns are a more sophisticated group. But the people still drink Coors or Bud when they get home from work.”
A Democratic 527 called Mainstreet is investing in the race. As for the Republicans, Chlouber says The Trailhead Group is “spending money like crazy.”
Ground wars escalate
This is October, which means the campaign ground wars intensify on television, radio and in voter mailboxes. Gov. Bill Owens has reserved five days in October and one in November to campaign for Republican Bob Beauprez. Beauprez is challenging Democrat Bill Ritter for governor. Owens is one of the founders of Trailhead, which is spearheading negative attacks against Ritter.
Staffers from Colorado’s Senate and congressional offices in Washington will take time off from their official duties to help ramp up Colorado campaigns in both parties.
Are Democrats funny?
While President George Bush is in Denver on Wednesday to raise money for Republicans, Democrats are answering with former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia, in town Thursday to raise cash for 7th Congressional District Democrat Ed Perlmutter. Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin will be featured Oct. 9 at a fundraiser for Democrats working to retain control of the state House.
With the oh-so-serious Feingold safely out of town, Democratic politicians will try their hand at standup comedy Oct. 11 at the Comedy Works.
Election Day critical
The outcome of many of this year’s political races could be a done deal by the time the polls open on Election Day. Larimer County Clerk Scott Doyle predicts roughly 45 percent will vote absentee and 15 percent will vote early. Political scientist John Straayer says the trend across the state is similar.
That doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t vote on Election Day. Their votes could be critical in determining close races.
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
