Video Is the Fourth and Final 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 Michael Bennet,” a one-on-one interview where Healthier United CEO Jake Williams asks Senator Bennet about his 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 Bennet chose hiking, so Williams joined him on the Mount Sanitas trail in Boulder for their conversation.

The video was filmed before Senator Bennet released his official health care platform, which includes a call for a public option. Elaborating on the issue of health care access, Senator Bennet said:

“Health care is a human right, but for too many Coloradans, it’s out of reach. As the federal government attacks our health care system, Colorado can lead with bold solutions — launching a Colorado Public Option, strengthening Medicaid, and prioritizing mental health care. As Governor, I will always prioritize meeting Coloradans where they’re at and fighting for the health care they deserve.”

“On Day 1, Colorado’s next governor will have to confront many serious issues related to public health in our state,” said Joshua Ewing, Executive Director of Healthier Colorado. “Colorado’s Medicaid funding crisis was made worse by last year’s passage of H.R. 1. 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, and misinformation about vaccines is increasing the risk of preventable disease outbreaks. Healthier Colorado wants to make sure voters know how the gubernatorial candidates would approach these challenges and work to improve the health and well-being of our state’s residents.”

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. 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.”

Williams transitioned in January from leading Healthier Colorado to serving as CEO of Healthier United, a new national organization with which Healthier Colorado is affiliated. The video with Senator Bennet was recorded during this transition.

Healthier Colorado has also released videos with Phil Weiser, Greg Lopez, and Barb Kirkmeyer as part of its Getting Healthier with… series. All episodes of the series can be viewed here.