A July 18 Denver Post article about a National Federation of Independent Business forum for candidates vying to represent Colorado's Fifth Congressional District did not report any remarks by the sole Democrat in the race, who also participated in the forum. The article reported the views expressed by the five Republicans on two issues, while merely noting that retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jay Fawcett, the Democrat, “squared off” with the five GOP candidates and that he “will face the winner of the Aug. 8 Republican primary.”

The Fifth Congressional District -- which retiring Republican Joel Hefley currently represents -- includes Colorado Springs, where the forum was held.

The Post article, by reporter Erin Emery, quoted all five Republican candidates who attended the forum -- former El Paso county commissioner Duncan Bremer, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce vice president Jeff Crank, state Sen. Doug Lamborn (Colorado Springs), retired Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn, and Colorado Springs mayor Lionel Rivera. According to the Post, all of the Republican candidates present suggested they would or might support replacing the current federal tax system with a national retail sales tax known as the "Fair Tax."

The Post further noted that "[t]hree candidates, Rivera, Rayburn and Crank said market forces should drive what the minimum wage should be. Lamborn said the minimum wage should not be raised and Bremer said the federal minimum wage should be eliminated." At no point in the article did the Post report on any comments made or responses given by Fawcett.

By contrast, other Colorado papers reporting on the forum did quote Fawcett. While the Rocky Mountain News did use the misleading headline, “GOP debate for Hefley's post,” the July 18 article identified Fawcett as a “proponent of raising the minimum wage,” and quoted him as saying that “Congress has gotten three raises since the last time anyone on the minimum wage had one.” In its July 18 article, the Colorado Springs Gazette noted that Fawcett “said the free market hasn't produced fair wages.” According to the Gazette, Fawcett also “said he supports raising the minimum hourly wage from its current $5.15 to help low-income workers who haven't seen an increase in nine years.”

From the July 18 Denver Post article, “IRS in candidates' sights”:

Five Republican candidates for the 5th Congressional District all agree that they would balance the federal budget and eliminate or reform the IRS if elected.

Five Republicans - Duncan Bremer, Jeff Crank, Doug Lamborn, Bentley Rayburn and Lionel Rivera - and Democrat Jay Fawcett squared off in a political forum Monday sponsored by the National Federation of Independent Business. John Anderson, a Republican and former El Paso County sheriff, was away on business and could not attend.

[...]

Three candidates, Rivera, Rayburn and Crank said market forces should drive what the minimum wage should be. Lamborn said the minimum wage should not be raised and Bremer said the federal minimum wage should be eliminated.

Fawcett, a retired Air Force officer, will face the winner of the Aug. 8 Republican primary.