Colorado Democratic Primaries Test Party Establishment Against Progressive Insurgents

Jun 29, 2026

Colorado's primary elections on June 30, 2026, serve as a major battleground for the Democratic Party's future. Following progressive victories in New York, insurgent candidates are challenging established figures. In the 1st District, Representative Diana DeGette faces democratic socialist Melat Kiros, while Senator John Hickenlooper is challenged by state Senator Julie Gonzales. Meanwhile, the gubernatorial primary pits Senator Michael Bennet against Attorney General Phil Weiser.

Colorado Democratic primary contests

▪The Colorado primary elections are scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with polls opening at 7:00 a.m. and closing at 7:00 p.m. local time.
▪In Colorado's 1st Congressional District, 15-term incumbent Representative Diana DeGette is facing a primary challenge from 29-year-old democratic socialist Melat Kiros.
▪Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper is facing a primary challenge from state Senator Julie Gonzales, a 43-year-old progressive and former member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Progressive-versus-establishment dynamics

▪Melat Kiros is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Justice Democrats, and the Democratic Socialists of America, while Diana DeGette has a nearly three-to-one spending advantage bolstered by over $2 million from super PACs.
▪The Colorado primary contests follow recent New York primary victories by progressive challengers Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, who were backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Israel-Gaza policy in campaigns

▪Pro Choice Majority Action, a PAC linked to the Elect Democratic Women Action Fund which receives support from an AIPAC-affiliated PAC, spent $1.5 million in the final days of the 1st Congressional District race.
▪Melat Kiros lost her job as an attorney after publishing a letter criticizing how law firms addressed protests against Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Colorado gubernatorial race

▪A Public Policy Polling survey funded by a PAC supporting Phil Weiser showed Weiser leading Michael Bennet 45 percent to 36 percent, with 19 percent undecided.
▪The Republican gubernatorial primary includes state Representative Scott Bottoms, state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, and pastor and military veteran Victor Marx.
▪The Democratic gubernatorial primary features Senator Michael Bennet, who has served in the Senate since 2009, against state Attorney General Phil Weiser.

8th District battleground competition

▪Manny Rutinel has criticized Shannon Bird over her vote opposing a measure that would limit cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
▪In Colorado's highly competitive 8th Congressional District, former state Representative Shannon Bird is running against state Representative Manny Rutinel in the Democratic primary.