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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Paul Ryan sat down with FOX21's Rachel Welte for a one on one interview Wednesday before his rally in America the Beautiful Park.

It was the second visit to Southern Colorado for Ryan in the past 20 days.

"We are asking the people of Colorado Springs for their help, we are asking for their help to get this country back on the right track," Rep. Paul Ryan said.

Ryan stressed the importance of his, and Governor Mitt Romney's, campaign.

"Mitt Romney and I believe we owe this country, and the people of Colorado, an alternative path and a different choice," Ryan said. "That is why we have specific bold solutions to get people back to work, pro-growth policies, that is what our five-point plan for a stronger middle class is all about."

In reference to the $500 billion defense cuts that could take affect at the start of the new year, the congressman said they do not make sense, and would hurt national security and the local economy.

"I saw one study that said 18,000 jobs in Colorado alone could be lost if President Obama's devastating defense cuts go through," Ryan said. "We are not going to let that happen because Mitt Romney and I believe in peace through strength and a strong military."

The congressman said he is visiting Colorado to show residents the ideas he, and his running mate, have.

Ideas he said will improve our nation as a whole.

"I love this state (Colorado), I have been coming to this state since I was a little boy," Ryan said. "I feel like it is home to me because this is a state that has been very welcoming to me, a state with great natural resources and energy, and we could put a lot of people back to work."

When asked about Southern Colorado voters and their importance, Ryan said this election is crucial for all Americans.

He said it will determine more than just the next four years.

"This is an election that will determine what kind of country we are going to have, and what kind of people we are going to be for an entire generation," Ryan said. "Mitt Romney and I understand the stakes of this election, and that is why we are here in Southern Colorado asking people for their help."