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Weiser and Marx meet in Denver today in their only scheduled joint forum of the governor's race

The Colorado Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting luncheon at the National Western Center brings Democratic nominee Phil Weiser and Republican nominee Victor Marx to the same stage, with a keynote from Donna Brazile.

Emil Krogh Politics reporter 2026-10-08

DENVER

The National Western Center campus in Denver. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting luncheon takes place Thursday at the Legacy at National Western Center, with gubernatorial nominees Phil Weiser and Victor Marx sharing the stage.
The National Western Center campus in Denver. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting luncheon takes place Thursday at the Legacy at National Western Center, with gubernatorial nominees Phil Weiser and Victor Marx sharing the stage.National Western Center, via nationalwesterncenter.com · Source

The luncheon takes place at the Legacy at National Western Center, 4800 National Western Drive in Denver. Registration and networking begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by the program from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., according to the Chamber's event listing. The program also features a keynote from Donna Brazile, the veteran political strategist and bestselling author.

The candidates will discuss their positions on issues critical to Colorado employers, the state's economy and the state's long-term competitiveness, according to the Chamber's announcement. "This forum will give Colorado's business community an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates about their visions for the state's economic future," said Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. "The decisions made by Colorado's next governor will have significant implications for employers across the state, and we look forward to a thoughtful conversation about those challenges and opportunities."

An aerial view of the National Western Center, where business leaders will hear from both major-party nominees for governor in their only scheduled joint appearance.
An aerial view of the National Western Center, where business leaders will hear from both major-party nominees for governor in their only scheduled joint appearance.National Western Center, via nationalwesterncenter.com · Source

Weiser serves as Colorado attorney general, and his background includes leadership at the University of Colorado and work supporting entrepreneurship and consumer protection, the Chamber said. Marx is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the founder of All Things Possible Ministries, a nonprofit focused on humanitarian assistance and trauma-relief work.

The luncheon is open to members and non-members, with member tickets priced at $150 and non-member tickets at $250, according to the Chamber's event listing. Credentialed members of the media must register in advance.

Downtown Denver in December 2025. The Chamber's annual meeting luncheon is the biggest business gathering of the year in Colorado.
Downtown Denver in December 2025. The Chamber's annual meeting luncheon is the biggest business gathering of the year in Colorado.Spicypepper999, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons · Source

The Chamber bills the annual meeting as the biggest business conversation of the year, calling it Colorado's most notable event for discussing the state's economic competitiveness and how businesses and the community need to take action. The program also includes updates on the Chamber's initiatives, priorities and policy wins from the past year.

The forum is moderated by Ed Sealover, the Chamber's vice president of strategic initiatives and editor of The Sum & Substance, according to the Chamber's event listing. Both candidates confirmed their participation in August, and with seats expected to be in high demand the Chamber has urged attendees to buy tickets early rather than wait.

The Chamber has framed the forum as a history-making opportunity for voters, business leaders and members to hear both major nominees together, urging anyone interested in Colorado's economic future to secure a ticket early given the finite number of seats. Media registration opened Oct. 1, and the forum lands less than a month before the Nov. 3 general election, when Colorado voters will choose the state's next governor.

Phil Weiser Victor Marx Colorado Chamber of Commerce governor's race Denver National Western Center

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