With Colorado’s primaries finally over, a look back gives us a glimpse into the future. From the dominance of socialist Democrats to laughable Republican candidates, storylines developed to take through November and future elections.
Democratic Socialists Claim a Seat at the Table
For better or worse, Democratic Socialists have been on the ascendancy for the better part of a decade. They caught fire across the country over the past year, from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victory to propelling multiple congressional candidates to victory. In Colorado that became evident in two big races.
The most dominant story that made national headlines centered on Democratic Socialist firebrand Melot Kiros and her victory over Rep. Diana DeGette. The brash 29-year-old had not yet been born when DeGette first took office in January 1997.
Yet she tapped into a groundswell of frustration and anger within the Democratic primary electorate that took Colorado politicos by surprise. Right up until results began to run in, reporters regularly reported Kiros’ campaign as DeGette’s stiffest challenge rather than an actual contender.
In the end, Kiros pulled off the Democratic version of Rep. Lauren Boebert beating Rep. Scott Tipton in 2020. Both recognized an angst in the electorate that the established incumbents were sluggish to identify. Now Kiros and Boebert will be traveling back and forth to Washington, D.C., together. That might make Colorado the most split-personality congressional delegation in the entire country.
While Kiros celebrated on election night, state Sen. Julie Gonzales had to admit defeat. Running statewide against incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper — a multiple term Denver mayor and Colorado governor — Gonzales always faced an uphill climb.
But it would be unfair to characterize Gonzales’ campaign as a failure. Going up against Hickenlooper, she was always playing with house money. A respectable finish coupled with a campaign that did not burn bridges was the real goal.
Gonzales more than did that.
Gonzales picked up more than 47% of the vote, finishing within five points of Hickenlooper. Given the vast disparity in name identification and fundraising prowess (Gonzales didn’t even raise $1 million to the more than $10 million Hickenlooper had in his coffers), and a statewide electorate that included rural areas Kiros did not have to worry about, Gonzales’ run says more about the current state of the Democratic party than Kiros.
Honestly, Governor-in-Waiting Phil Weiser should consider making her his running mate. If he doesn’t, then Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (April 2027 election) or Sen. Michael Bennet (June 2028 primary election) better start sweating. Gonzales needs a job, likes public office and would be an instant threat to either.
Republicans (Mostly) Put Up Unelectable Candidates
Let’s be clear, no matter who won races for statewide office, Republicans had about the same odds of winning as a snowball in a July forest fire. Maybe that is why they did not care about shooting wide of the Marx.
Bad puns aside, nominating Victor Marx as the party’s standard-bearer is like trying to shoot yourself in the toe with a missile launcher. He is the butt of late-night jokes, has no policy chops and more than half his own party thinks he is an unfit, corrupt conman.
The only relevant questions about Marx are (1) whether he gets more votes than independent candidate, and former Republican congressman and gubernatorial candidate, Greg Lopez, and (2) if he will drag down the rest of the ticket with him.
This has the hallmarks of Dan Maes’ 2010 race, where the candidate barely eclipsed the 10% threshold to ensure the Republican Party maintained its status as a “major party” under Colorado law.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, Congressional District 8, ostensibly locked in one of the tightest races in the country, had no choice except to congratulate Marx. My guess is that it will be the last time he voluntarily lets Marx’s name pass his lips until November.
I personally thought Evans would lose to state Rep. Manny Rutinel regardless this fall, but with Marx at the top it could be double-digits. Honestly, I think the closest congressional race will be in CD-5, where Jessica Killin is taking on freshman Rep. Jeff Crank.
While Marx is disgracing himself and humiliating the GOP, the other statewide races should not be forgotten. El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen may have far more legal experience than Democratic nominee Jena Griswold, but she will wipe the floor with him.
She has better name ID and knows how to run for office. And because her election would not be a threat to democracy — something I could not say for any Republican AG candidate — she will do it with my vote.
Similarly, while I supported her primary opponent, Amanda Gonzalez is a solid choice for Secretary of State. She has been an excellent Clerk and Recorder in my home county, and multiple experts in election law have vouched for her.
And, oh, yeah, she is running against a guy who is a bad wig away from being Tina Peters. While he cannot be imprisoned for his conspiracy theories — and consequently will not need Gov. Jared Polis to commute him — there is a good chance I will go the rest of the campaign without having to Google the race to remember his name.
In fact, the only Republican whom I can consider voting for is Kevin Grantham for State Treasurer. I have known Grantham for nearly two decades and he is one of the most dedicated public servants I have ever met.
Furthermore, his family members have been prominent opponents of election deniers — so even though the Treasurer’s race does not carry the same concerns as AG or SOS, I would feel fine if his famously well-coiffed facial hair ended up at the state Capitol again.
I doubt it — Sen. Jeff Bridges is a similarly excellent candidate and has all the Democratic advantages Colorado affords — but at least Grantham gives Coloradans an honest choice.
There are plenty more storylines to rehash and review. Lots of other topics to cover (I am sure to revisit ranked choice voting again soon). But for now Colorado politics has plenty to keep it busy for the next four months.
Mario Nicolais is an attorney and columnist who writes on law enforcement, the legal system, health care and public policy. Follow him on BlueSky: @MarioNicolais.bsky.social.
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