Candidates Debate Key Issues in Colorado's 4th District Race

Independent candidates discuss immigration, health care, and water conservation at Loveland forum

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Voters in Colorado's 4th Congressional District gathered in Loveland to hear from three independent candidates vying to represent the district in 2026. The forum, hosted by civic engagement group It Just Takes 1, covered a range of issues including immigration reform, the future of health care, and water conservation efforts in the largely rural district.

Why it matters

Colorado's 4th District is the state's largest by land area, covering the Eastern Plains and including Weld, Douglas, and parts of Larimer County. As the 2026 election cycle takes shape, this forum provided an early look at the policy positions of the independent candidates seeking to represent the diverse district.

The details

The three candidates - Padora, Calvarese, and Veldhuizen - shared their views on reforming the immigration system, with Padora calling for the abolition of ICE and Calvarese and Veldhuizen advocating for increased oversight and due process protections. On health care, all three supported raising the federal minimum wage and addressing the rising costs of care, particularly in rural areas. The candidates also discussed water conservation, with agreement that the region's finite water resources require coordinated action to balance agricultural, residential, and industrial needs.

  • The forum was held on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • Caucuses for the 2026 election cycle are approaching in the coming weeks.

The players

Padora

An independent candidate for Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

Calvarese

An independent candidate for Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

Veldhuizen

An independent candidate for Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

It Just Takes 1

A Weld County-based civic engagement group that hosted the forum and promotes voter participation and civil rights.

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What they’re saying

“We must get really creative how we address it, and we need to focus on sustainability and conservation first and foremost.”

— Padora, Independent Candidate (reporterherald.com)

“Where you live shouldn't determine if you live.”

— Calvarese, Independent Candidate (reporterherald.com)

“I think a bigger question to ask is, how do we control costs? We're facing an epidemic where fuel costs are high, health care is high, housing is high. … So yes, the minimum wage can be increased, but we need to look at the other side of it as well.”

— Veldhuizen, Independent Candidate (reporterherald.com)

What’s next

The next phase of the race begins in the coming weeks, when party members across the district convene for precinct caucuses.

The takeaway

This forum provided an early glimpse into the policy positions of the independent candidates seeking to represent Colorado's diverse 4th Congressional District, highlighting key issues like immigration reform, health care affordability, and water conservation that will be central to the 2026 election cycle.