Ken Buck in 2014 CO Senate debate

On Civil Rights: Won't compare gays to alcoholics again; better candidate now

Buck said the campaign mistakes he made four years ago, including the controversial remark comparing gays to alcoholics, was a mistake he would not repeat again. "I was unprepared for the question, and I answered it in a shorthanded way, and I shouldn't have answered it," said Buck. "I'm a better candidate than I was four years ago. I will not implode, though I don't agree with the premise I did implode."

On Crime: Closed loophole that had let abusive fathers contact kids

The story goes like this: In 2008, Stephanie Drobny and her two young children fled their home in Montana after her abusive husband threatened to murder her and put her in the forest "where the bears would eat" her. But Ken Buck, in his capacity as District Attorney, helped her "get through a rough time in my life," Drobny says during the video.

In the process of helping Drobny, Buck discovered a major loophole in the law that allowed perpetrators like her husband to continue contacting the children. Buck, Drobny, and even her daughter went to the state legislature so that they could help close the loophole. The bill was signed into law in 2011.

Buck says he is taking proactive measures to undermine the "war on women" meme that hurt him last time.

On Government Reform: Opposes secession for northern Colorado counties

When secession from Colorado was proposed, Buck came out against it. Many leaders in Moffat County were for pursuing secession, but the vote failed in Moffat and Weld counties in the November election.

Kinkaid, who was a local proponent of secession, said he doesn't consider that a drawback for Buck. "Nobody has to be in lockstep. I respect his positions," Kinkaid said. In fact, Kinkaid expressed his outright support for Buck. "I think (Buck) has the best chance of winning, and I like what he stands for," he said.