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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The race for Colorado's next United States Senator is a close one. 

Former District Attorney Ken Buck is challenging Sen. Michael Bennet in a closely-watched race.  Buck said he's not surprised so many people are taking an interest in the outcome.

"In order for the Democrats to keep control of Congress, they've got to win this race.  For the Republicans to gain control of Congress, they've got to win this race," Buck said.  "So it makes a lot of sense that both parties are focused on Colorado right now."

He said he's in this race because a year and a half ago he decided the government was out of control.

"We have a lurch to the left, our economy is in serious trouble, and I'm anxious to represent Colorado values in Washington, D.C.," Buck said.

He said spending is his number one concern.

"I feel if we can get spending under control, we can control the growth of government," Buck said.  "To do that I really think we need a Constitutional balanced budget amendment, and if we impose discipline from the top, I think we can control what's going on in Washington," Buck said.

He's traveled to all 64 counties in the state and said he's learned a lot.

"I've learned how genuinely concerned people are about government right now," Buck said.  "In some way scared, but they want to really make sure we get it right this time."

He said that means taking a hard look at recent legislation.

"When I get there I'll definitely work on Obamacare.  I think the health care system that was passed was a failure, and it needs to be repealed," Buck said.  "And we have to replace the stimulus program, it didn't limit unemployment, we still have unemployment at a very high rate in Colorado and around the country.  We've got to give small businesspeople the certainty to know what their tax bill will be in three years, know what their health care bill will be in three years, their energy costs, and that's more than anything what small businesspeople are looking for."

The Tea Party movement has had a unique effect this election season.

"I think the Tea Party movement has energized a lot of voters in Colorado and across the country, and they're anxious to send a different kind of Republican to Washington, someone that's not going to go along and get along, but somebody that's going to focus on spending and taxes and entitlement programs and other areas like that," Buck said.

Money and economy issues are his main focus.  He said he's not going to retract comments made on 'Meet the Press' where he said he believed being gay was a choice, though several groups have asked him to.

"I was asked a question, I answered the question," Buck said.  "People are focused on jobs and spending and other issues like that.  I'm going to the U.S. Senate to work on those issues, and I hope we can get off of the diversions of social issues when people are so concerned about the economy right now."

He said America works when it has a balanced government, like when President Clinton worked with a Republican Congress.

"They worked together and really made some headway on major issues, and I think we'll see that again in 2011 with Republicans taking control of Congress, and I think we'll see a balance in Government that gets things accomplished."

And he hopes he's part of it.

"Get out and vote," Buck said.  "And I would appreciate your support.  I'm going to work very hard to represent Colorado in Washington, D.C."

Watch FOX21's interview with Democratic incumbent Michael Bennet