2020 Presidential Candidate John Hickenlooper talks cannabis & the economy

[V]TDigger is excited to host presidential candidate and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper for a conversation about economic development and how he led Colorado's development of a regulated marijuana market. Jen Kimmich, co-founder of The Alchemist Brewery, will interview Hickenlooper 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Flynn Center MainStage in Burlington, Vermont.

Tickets are free, but the event is first come, first serve. VTDigger members are eligible for preferred seating at the front of the MainStage.

Limited free tickets*

Meet Hickenlooper

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This event is the first in a series of interviews with presidential candidates, hosted by VTDigger, leading up to the 2020 election. Keep your eye out for other Preview 2020 conversations.

As mayor of Denver and as a two-term governor, Gov. Hickenlooper oversaw and managed a major period of sustained growth in Colorado. "In Colorado, we took our state from 40th to 1st in the country in job growth. We cut regulations on small business, attracted new businesses to Colorado by creating an attractive quality of life, and improved the state's education and skills training to create a stronger workforce. As a result, Colorado saw major gains for working people, not only in big metro areas like Denver, but also in the state's rural areas," Hickenlooper said.

Bridging the economic divide

[V]ermont's economy, like Colorado's, relies on tourism, ski areas, craft breweries, tech and a budding cannabis industry. Hickenlooper will talk about economic development initiatives that bridge the divide between rural and urban populations in Colorado.

The discussion will focus on Hickenlooper's economic development initiatives, including affordable housing and public transportation, in urban and rural areas. He will also talk about the challenges and opportunities of the legalization and regulation of the cannabis market in Colorado, which was the first state to develop a regulatory market for recreational marijuana.

VTDigger is the media sponsor for the event.

*Seating is limited

Seating is limited and first come, first serve. Please reserve your seat now. Tickets are free with a suggested donation. Members of VTDigger are eligible for preferred seating at the Flynn.