Environmental activist Will Shafroth (D) has snagged the endorsement of one of Colorado’s biggest newspapers in his bid to upset the two favorites seeking to replace Rep. Mark Udall (D) in the 2nd district.

On Friday, the Rocky Mountain News endorsed Shafroth, the upstart candidate in an Aug. 12 Democratic primary featuring former state Senate president and party-establishment favorite Joan Fitz-Gerald and multimillionaire former chairman of the state Board of Education Jared Polis.

Fitz-Gerald, because of her party ties, and Polis, because of personal wealth that he has not been shy about spending on this race, are both seen as more likely to win the primary than is Shafroth. However, Shafroth has raised enough money to compete and is running a formidable campaign.

The Boulder-area 2nd district is solid Democratic territory, and the winner of the primary is expected to cruise to victory in the general election. Udall is running for Senate.