{"id":1989,"date":"2026-06-25T13:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=1989"},"modified":"2026-06-25T13:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T13:04:17","slug":"how-are-michael-bennet-and-phil-weiser-different-a-look-at-how-the-democrats-stack-up-on-the-biggest-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=1989","title":{"rendered":"How are Michael Bennet and Phil Weiser different? A look at how the Democrats stack up on the biggest issues."},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Colorado\u2019s Democratic primary for governor took shape last year, party luminaries often praised the qualities of both U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser.<\/p>\n

But as the two-man race has progressed, the praise has masked bubbling criticism about how little daylight truly exists between their respective platforms as they vie for the party\u2019s nomination for the November election to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. The Republican nominee will also be decided in Tuesday\u2019s primaries.<\/p>\n

In separate interviews, the Democrats have sought to highlight their differences \u2014 while emphasizing their approaches and experience as difference makers.<\/p>\n

Bennet, who has served 17 years in Washington, D.C., has underscored how his experience in the public and private sectors \u2014 including as superintendent of Denver Public Schools and working on corporate mergers for billionaire Phil Anschutz \u2014 has revolved around leading change.<\/p>\n

Weiser, who first won office as part of the 2018 blue wave election, has countered that his experience administering his office, launching programs, and designing and enforcing regulations means he\u2019s ready-made to lead the state.<\/p>\n

Or, as they characterized their differences:<\/p>\n

\u201cIn general, I\u2019d say my approach is more ambitious than his,\u201d Bennet said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got broader experience and broader plans,\u201d Weiser said.<\/p>\n

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Each candidate has also attacked the other for what he describes as vagaries in the other\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n

For Democratic primary voters still trying to decide which direction to go ahead of the primary, here\u2019s how each man describes how he\u2019d handle some of the bigger issues facing the state. Their campaign websites \u2014 philforcolorado.com and michaelbennet.com \u2014 feature reams more information on their visions for the state and how they plan to enact those visions.<\/p>\n

Housing and affordability<\/h4>\n

Each candidate describes housing affordability as a key hurdle for the next governor \u2014 and touts his proposal as a marquee policy for his governorship.<\/p>\n

Weiser has set a goal of 40,000 new \u201cattainable\u201d homes throughout the state to ease the housing crunch. He\u2019s promised to create a chief housing officer position and institute other changes to cut red tape and speed up the development of starter homes.<\/p>\n

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He wants to lower the cost of permitting fees for starter homes compared to those for \u201cmega mansions,\u201d and to work with local governments to incentivize them to encourage more starter home development. Many of those fees are set at the local level, where building permits are handled.<\/p>\n

Renter protections also win a shout-out in Weiser\u2019s plan, through crackdowns on so-called junk fees, accountability for out-of-state investor landlords and a ban on algorithmic rent setting.<\/p>\n

Bennet, likewise, sets a hard goal in his housing plans: that housing shouldn\u2019t cost more than 30% of a Coloradan\u2019s income.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody can live a middle-class life, or save, if they\u2019re spending 40% or 50% of their income on housing,\u201d Bennet said.<\/p>\n

To reach that goal, Bennet has proposed streamlining the application process for state-assisted housing projects and providing state-backed financing for private housing projects. That would be done using tools like guaranteed loans and a revolving construction loan fund.<\/p>\n

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Colorado voter guide: Stories and explainers for the 2026 primary election<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n