The Denver Post - These Four Colorado Incumbents Deserve Re-election to Congress

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By The Denver Post Editorial Board

In an election season with so many complicated decisions before voters, we find it bittersweet that a handful of Colorado's congressional districts are fairly easy calls.

Few observers actually expect to see any change in power in Colorado's 1st Congressional District in Denver. Rep. Diana DeGette's longevity in the Democratic stronghold seems certain for the near future, and we've happily endorsed our delegation's senior member already.

Nor do most observers expect change in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th districts, and we're pleased now to endorse the incumbents Jared Polis, Ken Buck, Doug Lamborn and Ed Perlmutter, who have been serving those areas.

Here's why we say the dynamic of these safe seats is bittersweet: Bitter, because competition is good for politicians and their districts. But then, safer seats can also be a sweet deal for a state and a district in that they better allow for experienced representatives gaining the kind of power and influence that come from years on the job. That is, of course, unless incumbents discredit themselves or present a lack of interest in serving.

We like that the four safe districts in question are equally divided in representation between Democrats and Republicans, as the balance of power forces Colorado's overall delegation to more often work together on issues important to the state and the West.

Jared Polis has served the 2nd CD -- which includes Boulder, Fort Collins and north-central mountain communities -- well since winning the post in 2008. Though the Democrat represents a more liberal district, we see Polis as more independent-minded. Over the years we've appreciated his work promoting startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. More recently, we've been pleased to see his efforts to prod Congress toward more reasonable marijuana laws and his pushback against excessive regulation of Kombucha makers, many of which do business in the 2nd CD.

Ken Buck first won the right to represent the sprawling 4th CD, which includes Greeley and the Eastern Plains, in 2014. The former district attorney from Weld County has deep roots in the area. The Republican got off to a clunky start with a disrespectful and sophomoric post on Twitter about President Obama, but has since been more a reliable presence. We appreciated his level-headedness in voting against the recently passed Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, which subjects American officials, military members and intelligence agents to lawsuits and shrugs off the longtime and useful principle of sovereign immunity.

Doug Lamborn, who has served the 5th CD in the greater Colorado Springs area since 2006, has been the kind of conservative representative befitting of the district, and voters there have rewarded him in primary challenges. While we like more independent-minded representatives, this is a Republican you can count on if what you want is a reliable GOP vote.

Ed Perlmutter, who since 2006 has been representing the 7th CD that includes Lakewood and western suburban Denver, is a hard-working centrist Democrat. We've appreciated his support of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, and also his recent work calling for reasonable federal banking rules for the cannabis industry.

We ask voters in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th congressional districts to send Polis, Buck, Lamborn and Perlmutter back to Washington.