In a polarized world, Sen. Michael Bennet and former Sen. Cory Gardner are living proof that people from across the aisle can work together. 

During an upcoming conversation at Colorado State University, the two will discuss the importance of finding compromise, ways to find common ground and the power – and fragility – of democracy. The free public event — “Building Bridges: Bipartisan Perspectives on Democracy” — is scheduled from 2-3 p.m. on April 22 in Lory Student Center Ballroom B. Information about how to register is available here: https://col.st/9G1HE. A live stream will also be available. 

“As well-respected leaders from different political parties, Sens. Bennet and Gardner have earned reputations as statesmen who work across the aisle to make progress for the common good,” said CSU President Amy Parsons. “They model strong advocacy for their constituents, paired with respect for one another and the democratic process. Their experiences and advice are sure to provide insight as we navigate this divisive political time.”

From 2015 to 2021, Bennet, a Democrat, and Gardner, a Republican, represented Colorado together in the U.S. Senate, and despite their ideological differences, co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation and even celebrated the Centennial State’s Olympians by curling through the halls of Congress. 

“Over the six years we spent together in the Senate, I was grateful to work with former Sen. Gardner on everything from fighting to keep Space Command to investing in water infrastructure,” Bennet said. “Whatever our differences might have been on policy, our record of bipartisan accomplishment for Colorado demonstrates the value of finding common ground for the greater good. I’m looking forward to joining him and members across the CSU community for this important conversation.”

Gardner, who grew up in the rural Colorado community of Yuma, graduated from CSU and once campaigned to be the vice president of the CSU student government. 

“As a proud Colorado State Ram, I look forward to joining Sen. Bennet and President Parsons in a discussion about the importance of democracy, higher education and civic participation,” he said. “Our nation is built on the diverse ideas of a diverse populace. While we may agree or disagree on any given issue, it is critically important that we listen and learn from one another.  I learned long ago that you never know when someone else might be right if you don’t engage in the conversation in the first place.”

Inside Thematic Year of Democracy 

The conversation with Bennet and Gardner is part of CSU’s Thematic Year of Democracy, a university-wide initiative that invites members of the campus community to participate in a diverse variety of events centered around preparing the next generation to participate in all facets of civil society. 

This included “Disagree Better,” a November 2023 discussion featuring Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Republican Utah Gov. Jared Cox, who shared their insights about the importance of having productive discussions about the issues that can divide society.

Other speakers have included Republican Congressman Ken Buck and award-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda. 

Other upcoming Thematic Year of Democracy speakers and events include: 

• April 8-12: Democracy Summit, with an April 12 closing keynote by Robert Putnam, the Malkin research professor of public policy at Harvard University.
• April 18: Ron Daniels has served as president of Johns Hopkins University since 2009 and has authored several books, including the 2021 book titled “What Universities Owe Democracy.”
• April 30: Donna Brazile is a political strategist, New York Times bestselling author, chair of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, award-winning media contributor and the first African American woman to serve as the manager of a major party presidential campaign, running the campaign of former Vice President Al Gore.