Candidates from both parties in a Colorado congressional swing district are taking unusual positions on the divisive federal health care law.

The positions from Republican Rep. Scott Tipton and Democratic candidate Sal Pace highlight that both have to make strong efforts to court independent voters in the rural, southwest 3rd District.

Tipton was among the House Republicans who voted to repeal the health care law on Wednesday. But Tipton also says he likes other provisions of the law, like prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating people with pre-existing illnesses.

The Durango Herald reports that Pace says he likes much the federal health care law, but opposes the individual mandate.

Supporters of the law say the individual mandate requiring all Americans to buy health insurance is what makes the law work.