The hourlong debate offered voters in the Republican-leaning district a chance to compare the candidates, but produced few new policy proposals. The candidates also found some common ground, criticizing former President Joe Biden’s border policies and supporting a ban on congressional stock trading.

Boebert called the Iran war “detrimental on many levels,” but dismissed congressional efforts to halt it as symbolic. Laubacher challenged that position, noting Boebert had repeatedly voted against measures to stop the war. Laubacher said she did not want Congress to spend the next two years trying to impeach President Donald Trump.

The candidates also clashed over Laubacher’s political affiliation changes. Boebert questioned her recent move from Republican to unaffiliated and then Democrat. Laubacher, who described herself as a moderate willing to challenge both parties, declined to identify a Democrat she considered extreme.

Debate moderator Kyle Clark questioned Laubacher about her residency and political donation records. Laubacher moved to Highlands Ranch in 2024 but retained her former Littleton-area home as a rental. Clark said donation records showed her former address as recently as August.

Clark also asked Boebert about her often-confrontational public conduct, including her removal from a Denver theater in 2023. Boebert said she supported an approach of “disagree better,” but did not specify whether she had changed her behavior.

On personal finances, Boebert said her latest financial disclosure listed no reportable assets and remarked, “Divorce is hard.” Laubacher, discussing her husband’s 401(k), said they did not move the money because they did not know what they were doing financially.

Laubacher has raised more money than Boebert, but most election forecasters still view the district as favorable to Republicans. New campaign finance reports are due Thursday.