DENVER (CBS4) -Sen. Mark Udall and Rep. Cory Gardner skirmished over their visions for Colorados economy during a prickly debate on Tuesday that featured aggressive attacks from both candidates.

The wide-ranging one-hour debate touched on womens issues, the Islamic State and the Second Amendment. But bickering about the economy and intertwining issues like the Affordable Care Act, the Keystone XL pipeline, jobs reports and U.S. debt dominated.

Gardner, who is challenging Udall for his U.S. Senate seat,broadly hammered the incumbentfor backing a government-intensive approach to the economy. Udall, meanwhile, accused Gardner of hands-off policies that would ensure the middle class suffers while companies increase profits.

Udall said the government should raise the minimum wage, pass the Paycheck Fairness Act that would largely ensure gender-pay equality, make college more affordable and create incentives for companies to keep jobs in the country.

Why do I bring this up? Its because Congressman Gardner has a different point of view on all of those issues, Udall said. If we dont respond, we run the risk of the middle class not being the strong part of our society that its always been.

Gardner countered that a more laissez-faire economic approach would benefit Colorado.

It is beyond time we got government out of the way and let America work, he said. We must unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of this county.

Gardner attacked Udalls economic record with a bevy of statistics: that Coloradans are earning $4,000 less in median household income than they were several years ago, that the labor force participation rate is at its lowest percentage in 36 years and that Udall isnt firmly backing the construction of the Keystone pipeline, which Gardner said would bring thousands of $20 and $30 jobs.

Thats whats happening under the failed leadership of Mark Udall, Gardner said. We need more Colorado in Washington and less Washington in Colorado. Unfortunately our economy is stuck in reverse.

Udall countered that Gardner was sour on the state.

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Udall, Gardner Spar Over Economy In Fiery Debate