TOWN SQUARE: Hick blasted for not being hip on hemp

Gubernatorial frontrunner John Hickenlooper, now Denver’s mayor, has most Democrats enthralled, but marijuana advocates are calling for his defeat.

SAFER, which wants full legalization of marijuana, is backing American Constitution party candidate Tom Tancredo in the race for his pro-legalization stance.

"Mayor Hickenlooper owes Colorado voters an explanation," SAFER’s Mason Tvert said in a news release. "In the five years since his city became the first in the nation to remove all penalties for adult marijuana possession he has yet to explain why it was okay for him to make a fortune selling alcohol, yet it should be a crime for adults to use a far safer substance instead.”

The organization asked candidates for state office whether adults should be able to legally use and possess up to an ounce of marijuana.

SAFER is backing several local candidates who they say will push to legalize marijuana, including state House hopefuls Republican Larry Liston, Democrat Pete Lee and Democrat Jonathan Dooley.

You can read the group's endorsement list HERE.

To learn where the candidates stand on other issues, check out The Gazette’s online voter guide HERE.

TANCREDO PICKS UP ANOTHER DEFECTOR

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a Republican, dumped his support for GOP gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes on Monday and endorsed Tancredo.

“What Colorado needs during these tough economic times is not another politician who ‘just wants to be governor’ but a strong and decisive leader like Tom Tancredo who will get our state’s economy back on track,” Coffman said.

For more Colorado Politics news click HERE.

DAN MAES FACEBOOK QUOTE OF THE DAY

Republican Dan Maes may not have the cash to buy primetime television slots, but he’s all over the social networking site facebook.com.

His latest missive say’s he’s surging ahead in the race.

“Feels like we finally have momentum on our side with three weeks to go!” Maes wrote.

Polls still show him running in third place.

DEMOCRATS READY TO PARTY

Colorado Democrats apparently think they’ll have reason to celebrate on election night. They unveiled their party’s party plan Tuesday, a full three weeks ahead of the election.

Here are the details:

“The Colorado Democratic Party will gather with candidates, volunteers and voters for an election results watch party Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at the Marriott City Center, 1701 California St., Denver. The event is free and open to the public, and doors open after the polls close at 7 p.m.”

We’ll update you with GOP plans when they’re released.