PolitickerCO sponsors CD-6 Republican debate Monday in Highlands Ranch

The four Republican candidates in the 6th Congressional District primary race will square off in a Monday night debate in Highlands Ranch.

The debate, organized by the Sagebrush Forum and PolitickerCO.com, will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road in Highlands Ranch.

Businessman Wil Armstrong, Secretary of State Mike Coffman, state Sen. Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch) and state Sen. Steve Ward (R-Littleton) will answer questions posed by a panel of journalists, including Peter Jones of the Littleton Independent, Chris Rotar of the Highlands Ranch Herald, and Jeremy Pelzer of PolitickerCO.

The debate will be hosted by former state Senator John Evans; former state Republican Party finance committee chair Mark Baisley will moderate the debate.

Both Evans and Baisley are senior fellows at The Sagebrush Forum, which seeks to facilitate voter understanding on matters of sociopolitical importance through discussion, debate, and investigation. The principles of the Forum are based on the assurances of limited federal government described by America's founding fathers in the Federalist Papers, and epitomized by the Sagebrush Rebellion.

PolitickerCO is a non-partisan, independent news Web site covering Colorado politics at the federal, state, and local levels. Operated by the New York Observer Media Group and part of the Politicker family of Web sites, PolitickerCO is a virtual watercooler for the state's political elite and a necessary daily stop for politically minded Web surfers.

Evans said the debates are "very appropriate for this time."

"In 1986, Ronald Reagan stated that he was a "Sagebrush Rebel too!" acknowledging the importance of protecting private property rights, as well as the need to address water and immigration issues, for all U.S. western residents," Evans said. "Sagebrush Forum is a voice for these Westerners. Nothing could be better than making these debates happen."

James Pindell, managing editor of Politicker.com, said Monday's debate was the first of several debates Politicker plans to hold around the country.

"There is no better place to start than in Colorado," Pindell said. "We hope this forum provides insight for voters to be more informed."