Nick Coltrain

Politics reporter

Nick Coltrain

Nick Coltrain covers state politics for the Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2022 after covering the Iowa caucus and COVID-19 for the Des Moines Register and all things for the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Homes and property at Mountain Shadows Mobile Estates were damaged by the heat and flames of the Aspen Acres Fire in recent days as the fire continued to burn on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Colorado City. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Colorado wildfires: Fires burn more than 290 square miles, nearly twice the size of Denver

July 8, 2026 at 7:31 a.m.

Aspen Acres fire, Colorado's largest active wildfire, jumped several thousand acres, spurred on by windy afternoon thunderstorms to consume more than 93,000 acres, or 145 square miles.

A Denver Police vehicle along East 16th Avenue on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Denver police look for silver SUV suspected in hit-and-run crash with bicyclist

July 6, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

Denver Police are trying to find more information about a hit-and-run crash in downtown Denver Thursday night.

A Colorado State Patrol vehicle is shown on U.S. 287 in August. (Matthew Jonas – Staff Photographer)

Colorado State patrol looking for man accused of beating tow truck driver on I-70

July 6, 2026 at 12:31 p.m.

The Colorado State Patrol is seeking information on a man suspected of hurting a tow truck operator bad enough to send the victim to the hospital.

The Aspen Acres Fire continues to burn on Wednesday, July 01, 2026, near Beulah, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire burns more than 260 homes in Pueblo, Custer counties

July 7, 2026 at 6:34 a.m.

More than 260 homes have been destroyed by the Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo and Custer counties, their sheriffs said Monday afternoon.

Attorney General Phil Weiser speaks during an election watch party for his gubernatorial campaign after winning Colorado's Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Ace Eat Serve in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

How Phil Weiser connected with voters to defeat Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor

July 4, 2026 at 6:36 a.m.

"There鈥檚 no doubt, to my eye, that (Phil) Weiser was helped by anti-incumbent sentiment. But this was a shellacking,鈥� said Colorado State University political science professor Kyle Saunders.

Gov. Jared Polis holds a press conference to address his administration鈥檚 new 鈥淎 Healthy Colorado For All鈥� initiative at the Governor鈥檚 Residence in Denver on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He also took questions from the press in relation to his commutation of Tina Peters' sentence. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis fires clemency board members who spoke out about Tina Peters decision

July 1, 2026 at 6:58 p.m.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis removed Hannah Seigel Proff and Azra Taslimi from the advisory board because they "breached the required duty of confidentiality by publicly divulging board members鈥� votes."

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet gives a concession speech to supporters of his campaign in the Democratic gubernatorial primary during his election night watch party at Schoolyard Beer Garden in Denver on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated Bennet to become the Democratic nominee for governor. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Five takeaways in Colorado primaries as DSA candidate ousts congresswoman, Democrats reject senator, big money falters

July 2, 2026 at 4:38 p.m.

The most nationally resonating story of Colorado's primary election was Melat Kiros' defeat of 15-term U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette. But several other dynamics became clear in Tuesday's results.

Attorney General Phil Weiser hugs a supporter during an election watch party for his gubernatorial campaign on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Ace Eat Serve in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

Phil Weiser defeats Michael Bennet in Democratic primary for Colorado governor

July 1, 2026 at 1:49 p.m.

"We the people -- not the establishment -- choose our leaders," Phil Weiser said in his victory speech.

Colorado gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet speaks during a forum hosted by the Colorado Young Democrats with fellow candidate Attorney General Phil Weiser, not pictured, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68 in Denver. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/The Denver Post)

As Colorado primary election arrives, several Democratic and Republican politicians’ futures hang in balance

June 30, 2026 at 6:36 p.m.

Longtime Democratic figures John Hickenlooper and Diana DeGette face primary challenges from a new generation of Democrats -- while Michael Bennet is hoping to keep his campaign for governor alive.

State Rep. Sean Camacho, left, talks with Paul Varnas and his 8-year-old daughter, Melina, while canvassing the Lowry neighborhood to reach voters ahead of the June 30 primary on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Denver. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

A costly, scorched-earth Denver primary reflects the fight over the Democratic Party’s direction. But voters want it to stop.

June 28, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

"I鈥檓 probably going to vote no matter what. But (the spending) has me more cynical. This campaign has just become about the money,鈥� said Zach Robertson, who lives in Denver鈥檚...

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Nick Coltrain

All Stories

Colorado wildfires: Fires burn more than 290 square miles, nearly twice the size of Denver

Denver police look for silver SUV suspected in hit-and-run crash with bicyclist

Colorado State patrol looking for man accused of beating tow truck driver on I-70

Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire burns more than 260 homes in Pueblo, Custer counties

How Phil Weiser connected with voters to defeat Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary for governor

Gov. Jared Polis fires clemency board members who spoke out about Tina Peters decision

Five takeaways in Colorado primaries as DSA candidate ousts congresswoman, Democrats reject senator, big money falters

Phil Weiser defeats Michael Bennet in Democratic primary for Colorado governor

As Colorado primary election arrives, several Democratic and Republican politicians’ futures hang in balance

A costly, scorched-earth Denver primary reflects the fight over the Democratic Party’s direction. But voters want it to stop.