Mayoral Candidates Engage With Colorado State University Student Body in Roundtable Discussion

By AVA FRICKE
The Ramspondents

In the Lory Student Center ballroom, the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) prepared to host their last event before the mayoral election on Nov. 4.  

The Department of Governmental Affairs, headed by Director Jelicity Luna, set up the ballroom to host five mayoral candidates and two community partners to have an open conversation with students about the community’s future.

Candidates Tricia Canonico, Adam Eggleston, Emily Francis, Adam Hirschhorn and Shirley Peel all attended the event. There were also two tables with representatives from both the city of Fort Collins election and Larimer county elections.

The event was set up so each candidate and community partner had their own table, and students could join them in conversation about their policy goals or ask specific questions related to local politics.

Luna opened the event  by letting each candidate introduce themselves. This allowed them to summarize their policy goals and the focus of their respective campaigns. It also encouraged them to explain some of their past experience and how it has prepared them for candidacy.

Each rotation lasted 15 minutes, providing time for conversations between students and candidates before switching to another table in the room. This allowed everyone present to engage with all candidates present. 

Student participant Noah Madden remarked on the importance of local politicians engaging with students.

“I think that people often overlook the importance college students hold in our community. We are the future,” Madden said. “Fort Collins depends on students and I appreciate our local politicians' willingness to meet us where we are.”

Ava Fricke is a political journalist focusing on written media.

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