Colorado candidates’ quarterly campaign finance numbers begin to trickle out

---

---

The campaign finance reporting quarter for state and congressional candidates ended Monday, and some campaigns are releasing their fundraising and spending numbers ahead of the July 15 filing deadline.

It’s always interesting to see who is sharing their numbers early — presumably because they’re proud of them — and who is holding off until they must show their cards.

Keep in mind that this information is coming directly from the campaigns, so there’s a chance the reports they will ultimately file may have more nuance — i.e., loans. The quarter ran from April 1 through June 30.

Here is what some state campaigns are reporting:

• Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said his gubernatorial campaign raised more than $1 million between the start of April and the end of June and started July with nearly $2.5 million in the bank. He raised some $2 million in the first three months of the year.
• Democrat Hetal Doshi says her campaign for attorney general raised $364,000 after launching in early June. She didn’t report how much she had in cash on hand at the end of June.

Here is what some federal campaigns are reporting:

• State Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, says she raised more than $440,000 between when she launched her campaign in the 8th Congressional District on May 20 and the end of June. Her campaign didn’t report how much cash it had on hand to begin July.
• State Rep. Manny Rutinel, a Commerce City Democrat also running in the 8th District, reported raising $415,000 during the quarter, bringing his campaign’s fundraising total since launch to $1.6 million. He didn’t say how much his campaign had in the bank to begin July.
• Democrat Eileen Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral, said she raised nearly $1.9 million between when she launched her 4th Congressional District campaign May 15 and the end of June. She’s making a longshot bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. Laubacher’s campaign reported having nearly $1.1 million in cash on hand to start July, indicating a high rate of spending.
• Democratic businessman Alex Kelloff said he raised $429,000 between April 30, when he launched his 3rd Congressional District campaign, and the end of June. He said he had about $357,000 in cash on hand at the start of July for his bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd.

AMANDA GONZALEZ ROLLS OUT ENDORSEMENTS

Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez, a Democrat running to be Colorado’s next secretary of state, didn’t release her campaign fundraising and spending numbers ahead of the deadline. But she did drop a list of endorsements Wednesday.

Gonzalez’s backers include state Sens. Julie Gonzales, Judy Amabile and Lindsey Daugherty, as well as state Rep. Lindsay Gilchrist and former state Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy.

Gonzalez is the only Democrat in the race — so far. State Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, is expected to announce her candidacy for secretary of state in the coming weeks.

COLORADO LEGISLATURE

Paul Lundeen’s appointed replacement lost to him in the 2022 primary by 32 percentage points

Republican Lynda Zamora Wilson was selected by a GOP vacancy committee in Senate District 9 on Monday to replace Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, who recently resigned from the legislature to take a private-sector job.

Colorado Politics reports Zamora Wilson beat out former state Rep. Terri Carver for the job in a 63-50 vote.

Zamora Wilson, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who worked as a professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, primaried Lundeen in 2022, losing by 32 percentage points. She paid for a recount, which resulted in Lundeen gaining a vote and her picking up no additional support.

Zamora Wilson campaigned in 2022 on an “election integrity” platform, saying she wanted to end mail-in voting, eliminate drop boxes and require that ballots be counted by hand.

The other Republican primary candidate who lost and paid for a recount in 2022? Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is currently serving a prison sentence after being convicted of orchestrating a security breach of her county’s election system.

Last month, Zamora Wilson shared a post from state Rep. Scott Bottoms in which he called Peters’ case “a farce.” She also urged her supporters to financially help MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, one of the nation’s loudest election conspiracy theorists.

THE POLITICAL TICKER

COLORADO HOUSE GOP

Republican state Reps. Brandi Bradley and Ron Weinberg are running to succeed outgoing GOP Rep. Ryan Armagost as House minority whip.

The caucus is scheduled to vote soon on a new whip.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Seth Hoffman, city manager in Lone Tree, was elected president of the Colorado Municipal League board. Golden Mayor Laura Weinberg was elected vice president of the board.

Breckenridge City Councilwoman Carol Saade has been elected secretary/treasurer of the panel.

Now on the board are:

• Arvada City Councilwoman Sharon Davis
• Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray
• Rocky Ford Mayor Duane Gurulé
• Colorado Springs Clerk Sarah Johnson
• Aurora City Councilwoman Angela Lawson
• Fountain City Manager Scott Trainor

ELECTION 2026

Democrat Jillaire McMillan has filed to run again in House District 19. She’ll try to unseat Republican state Rep. Dan Woog, R-Erie.

McMillan lost to Woog in 2024 by 110 votes.

READ MORE

• Republicans say Medicaid work requirements target the lazy. Here’s who could be collateral damage in Colorado.
• Colorado’s top wildlife official says relocating livestock-killing wolves was necessary for restoration efforts
• Nearly 70% of Colorado land zoned for housing prohibits the most affordable types of homes, study finds
• John Hickenlooper is up for reelection. Colorado Republicans don’t really have a candidate to challenge him.
• Colorado, 19 other states sue to stop transfer of Medicaid data to immigration agencies
  — CPR via the Colorado Capitol News Alliance
• Nation’s first female third-trimester abortion doctor wants to build compassion by telling patients’ stories
• No. 3 Republican in Colorado House is resigning to pursue job in Arizona
• Selling off Colorado: Tech bros and conservatives have grand plans for federal lands
• RTD director stripped of committee chair position, membership over complaints about conduct
  — The Denver Post 🔑
• Denver changes layoff rules as city faces $250 million budget shortfall
  — 9News
• Colorado won’t offer tax break on overtime pay
  — Axios Denver
• CU regents censure Wanda James over anti-marijuana campaign imagery controversy
  — KMGH-TV

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

THE BIGGER PICTURE

• The Republicans in Congress who are opting to self-deport from Washington
  — The New York Times 🔑
• How a bold plan to ban state AI laws fell apart — and divided Trumpworld
  — The Wall Street Journal 🔑
• The problematic politics of the bill: More lower-income Americans are voting GOP
  — The Wall Street Journal 🔑
• Washington is the No. 1 target in the GOP’s health care slashing bill
  — The Seattle Times 🔑
• Texas can require porn websites to verify users’ ages, Supreme Court rules
  — The Texas Tribune

🔑 = source has article meter or paywall

Corrections & Clarifications

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.