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By Daniela Altimari

Colorado takes its turn in the political spotlight Tuesday, with a veteran House Democrat facing a challenge from the left and a pair of Democratic hopefuls vying for the party’s nod in a key swing seat.

The contest in the 8th District, north of Denver, could determine which party controls the House. The primary pits former state Rep. Shannon Bird, a political pragmatist with deep roots in the district, against state Rep. Manny Rutinel, the son of an immigrant single mother who has campaigned on a populist message. (A third candidate, Marine veteran Evan Munsing, ended his campaign last month, though his name remains on the primary ballot.)

Rutinel, who has the backing of the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has far outpaced Bird in fundraising, bringing in $4.1 million to his opponent’s $2.2 million through June 10.

Waiting for Tuesday’s winner is freshman Rep. Gabe Evans, one of the chamber’s most vulnerable Republicans.

Farther south, Rep. Diana DeGette is in her 15th term representing the Denver-anchored 1st District. But the 68-year-old Democrat is fighting for political survival in her primary against lawyer, doctoral student and democratic socialist Melat Kiros, who has the backing of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. 

The race, which also includes University of Colorado Regent Wanda James, is shaped by several issues coursing through Democratic politics this year. They include the push for generational change, rifts over the war in Gaza and the rising political clout of the Democratic Socialists of America. The Democratic nominee in the deep-blue district is expected to crest to victory in November.

Other races

Similar themes are playing out in Colorado’s Senate primary, where Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper is locked in an intraparty showdown with progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales.

Hickenlooper, 74, is a former governor and Denver mayor who has pledged that his reelection effort will be his last Senate race. He has largely avoided engaging with Gonzales, who has embraced progressive policies such as “Medicare for All” and is calling for generational change in Washington. The winner will take on state Sen. Mark Baisley, who is unopposed for the GOP nomination.

The state’s other senator, Democrat Michael Bennet, faces comparable headwinds in his primary for governor. Bennet has seen a 30-point polling lead over state Attorney General Phil Weiser evaporate in recent months, and most observers now expect a close race.

Republican gubernatorial contenders include state Rep. Scott Bottoms, state Sen. (and former 8th District candidate) Barb Kirkmeyer and pastor and Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx. Colorado last elected a Republican governor in 2002.

In other House races, Democrat Jessica Killin is vying with fellow Army veteran Joe Reagan to challenge Republican freshman Jeff Crank in the 5th District. The DCCC has added Killin to its “Red to Blue” program, a signal that it sees the Colorado Springs-based seat as flippable in November.

In the 3rd District, which includes the state’s Western Slope, Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd faces a primary rematch against former state Rep. Ron Hanks, whom he bested by 13 points in 2024. Democrats are choosing between businessman Alex Kelloff and Army veteran and former Aspen City Council Member Dwayne Romero.

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