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Debaters Weigh Liberty vs. Prudence

Centennial Institute, the open forum where current issues are tested against timeless principles, again filled the CCU Music Center Auditorium on Feb. 17 for the first in our 2010 series, a panel debate on:

Why Not Legalize All Marijuana?

The five-way clash of views came in a murky policy climate with Coloradans having voted against outright legalization of marijuana in 2006 after approving it as a medicine in 2000. Lawmakers are now struggling with an upsurge in dispensaries and ill-defined "medical" users, amounting to what some call legalization by the back door.

Centennial moderator John Andrews and student panelists Natasha Starceski & Drew Goorabian asked our debaters (shown below): How should public policy balance freedom, virtue, prudence, and practicality in dealing with this issue?

• Legalize the drug in all forms?
• Toughen regulation of users and dispensaries?
• Ban the drug in all forms?
• Ease regulation of users and dispensaries?

Participants: (From Left) State Rep.Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs), State Sen. Shawn Mitchell (R-Broomfield), District Attorney Carol Chambers (18th Judicial District), and Policy Analyst Jessica Corry (Legalization Advocate) and Physician Christian Thurstone (Addiction Specialist).

Candidate forums help put CCU on the map

Why is the nation watching our state's race for US Senate? And who will be the next Governor of Colorado? As the countdown to Election 2010 moved inside 365 days, a pair of Centennial Institute forums dug for the answers. The events not only contributed to civic dialogue, they also highlighted Colorado Christian University's commitment to educating for citizenship. Media coverage was wide and favorable. (See report and news links on our '76 blog)

Governor of Colorado - November 3

Contenders for Governor in both major parties were invited to face off on Tuesday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the CCU Music Center Auditorium. Taking part in the sold-out event were Republicans Scott McInnis, Josh Penry, and Dan Maes. Democrat Bill Ritter, the incumbent, sent his regrets. Penry exited the race a few days later.

U.S. Senator for Colorado - November 10

  
                           

Contenders for United States Senate in both parties had a similar opportunity on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m., again in the CCU Music Center Auditorium. Jane Norton, Ken Buck, Tom Wiens, and Cleve Tidwell, Republicans all, took part. Participation was declined by Sen. Michael Bennet (D), and former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff (D).

Both forums were taped for later statewide broadcast. Watch this site for air dates on Colorado Public Television and Salem Radio Network.