Colorado senatorial candidates, Republican Bob Schaffer (left) and Democrat Mark Udall (right), debate in June Swaner Gates Concert Hall in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Monday. The one-hour debate was co-sponsored by 9News and the University of Denver. The candidates answered questions about their platform on issues ranging from the economy to Medicare to their philosophy for choosing new Supreme Court justices. The debate was opened by a sister and brother, in fifth and seventh grade, asking the candidates why they want to be Senator. “I want to be a senator for the whole state of Colorado because we’re at a historic time not only in our state’s history, but in America’s history,” Udall said. Schaffer said the children were the reason he was running. “I’m going to look at your future just way the I look at my children’s,” he said. “I think your involvement in this race is critically important.”

At the end of the debate, each candidate was given two minutes to make a closing statement. “I want to fight for my children, not just the ones who are willing to stand in harm’s way themselves [as soldiers] but my little ones at home,” Schaffer said. “I want a country where they’re going to be safe. I want a country of which they’re going to be proud.” Udall had a different approach. “I will stand up for you. I will look to the right ideas. We’re at a crossroads; we can take the road we’ve been traveling or we can travel a whole new road.”