Video Is the Third Episode in a Series of Conversations with 2026 Colorado Gubernatorial Candidates on the State’s Most Pressing Health Issues

DENVER, CO – Today, Healthier Colorado released “Getting Healthier with Barb Kirkmeyer,” a one-on-one interview where Healthier Colorado CEO Jake Williams asks Senator Kirkmeyer about her plans for addressing issues such as health care access, youth mental health, and the cost of child care if elected Governor of Colorado.

All candidates invited to participate in the video series were asked to choose an activity they enjoy doing to stay physically or mentally healthy as the setting for the interview. Senator Kirkmeyer chose walking outdoors, so Williams joined her along the Firestone Trail starting at Gateway Park in Firestone for their conversation.

Speaking on the issue of health care in Colorado, Senator Kirkmeyer said:

“The most urgent health issue facing Colorado today is access to health care throughout the state. It’s extremely important that we have a strong system that everyone can access. I’ve fought for that on the Joint Budget Committee, and as Governor I’ll continue working to improve who we’re serving, how we’re serving them, and how we make sure that the funding is there.”

Discussing the intention behind the video series, Williams shared:

“With so much at stake in the upcoming election for Governor, we need to meet voters where they’re already at in order to give them the information they need. Increasingly, Coloradans can be found online, consuming short-form video. In the course of having a little fun with the candidates, we address serious issues facing Coloradans. Our state’s Medicaid funding crisis was made worse by the passage of the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ The cost of child care in Colorado is among the highest in the country, leaving quality care out of reach for many families. Our youth continue to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. By introducing voters to an activity the candidates chose to stay physically or mentally healthy, we give voters a snapshot of who these candidates are as humans, as well as provide a picture of how they would lead on health as Governor.”

Healthier Colorado plans to release the next video episode of its Getting Healthier with… series with another 2026 candidate for Governor in the coming weeks. Previous episodes can be viewed here.