March 04, 2010 09:59 PM UTC

Hickenlooper, McInnis Address Springs Chamber

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• by: Colorado Pols

Another stump speech joint appearance for gubernatorial candidates John Hickenlooper and Scott McInnis, this time before the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce–the Gazette reports:

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper made his first pitch to the Colorado Springs business community Wednesday during a session of dueling stump speeches that included Scott McInnis, the GOP frontrunner in the governor’s race.

McInnis told more than 100 members of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce that he’ll cut spending to balance to the state’s budget gap and hold the line on taxes. Hickenlooper, unopposed in the Democratic primary, focused on himself and the Cascade Avenue brew pub he started during a 30-minute talk…

It was Hickenlooper’s first address to a Colorado Springs audience since entering the governor’s race in January. He’s still trying to introduce himself to voters outside Denver and hasn’t tangled with Republicans on major issues.

McInnis has been courting Colorado Springs Republicans for months in his primary bid against Denver businessman Dan Maes. McInnis’ political lines are well-known and well-honed…

Hickenlooper bought the Phantom Canyon building at the corner of Pikes Peak and Cascade avenues to save it from the wrecking ball and turned it into a successful restaurant and micro brewery before selling his interest. The tale of his Colorado Springs success, which some say was key in the revitalization of downtown, may win him friends in the Pikes Peak region…

Jonathan Dorsey, a Colorado Springs financial planner, said he hasn’t made up his mind in the race, but liked the way Hickenlooper came across.

“He was the one I understood,” Dorsey said.

McInnis is having a hard time luring his likely November opponent into the traditional campaign war of words.

“The mayor and I have never had a cross word between us, but there is a difference, and there is a choice you have to make,” he said.