Democratic Party

Despite hefty dark-money spending, Colorado progressives notch big victories in statehouse primaries

Progressive statehouse candidates raced to victory in several Democratic primary contests in metro Denver, unseating two sitting lawmakers and overcoming millions of dollars in opposition spending.

Iris Halpern, a Democratic candidate in the Colorado House District 6 primary, smiles as volunteers gather at the Denver Classroom Teachers Association's offices before canvassing in Denver on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper celebrated his primary win over challenger Julie Gonzales on Tuesday evening, June 30, at Steuben's restaurant in Denver. After splitting the vote in Denver, Hickenlooper was able to carry other counties in the state by a wide margin. Gonzales, a state Senator, had hoped to ride a wave of support for progressive candidates. (Photo by Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post)

John Hickenlooper wins over challenger Julie Gonzales in U.S. Senate race

3 weeks ago

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.

4 weeks ago

Sen. John Hickenlooper checks his watch as he leaves a closed-door lunch meeting with Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol January 24, 2023 in Washington. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Hickenlooper will be 80, DeGette 70, at the end of another term; voters should take that into account (Letters)

By DP 抖阴ap

June 21, 2026 at 5:01 a.m.

"There are many talented younger candidates on the Democrats' primary ballot. Perhaps you should choose...

Hasan Piker speaks at a campaign rally for Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

After Denver-area venues nix rally with Hasan Piker, Democrats weigh whether online figures help or hurt campaigns

By Elliott Wenzler

June 18, 2026 at 7:55 a.m.

Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who has 3 million followers, has tapped a young, anti-establishment...

Democratic candidates for Colorado's 5th Congressional District Jessica Killin, left, and Joe Reagan, right. (Photos provided by Killin and Reagan campaigns)

2 Army vets vie for chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank: ‘This is not your mother’s Colorado Springs’

By Elizabeth Hernandez

June 11, 2026 at 9:36 a.m.

The district is typically solid red. But national Democrats have marked the race to unseat...

LEFT: State Sen. Jessie Danielson speaks during a campaign gathering for a labor bill at Governors Park in Denver on May 13, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) RIGHT: Jefferson County clerk and recorder Amanda Gonzalez gives remarks at the Logan County Democrats' annual picnic in Sterling on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Danielson and Gonzalez are running for the Democratic nomination for Colorado Secretary of State. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)

Two Jeffco women compete for Democratic nomination for Colorado secretary of state

By Noelle Phillips

June 11, 2026 at 9:40 a.m.

The Libertarian party also has a contested primary race with 33-year-old Alex Astley , an...

LEFT: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper answers questions after a tour and a roundtable discussion at the CU Anschutz Cancer Center to discuss possible medical research funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration in Aurora, Colorado, on March 18, 2025. (Photo by Helen Richardson/The Denver Post) RIGHT: State Sen. Julie Gonzales speaks during a news conference in the Old Supreme Court Library at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang)

Sen. John Hickenlooper鈥檚 primary challenger argues he鈥檚鈥榤ore of the same.鈥� Will voters turn on the political icon?

By Seth Klamann

June 11, 2026 at 9:41 a.m.

"Does Colorado want to continue with more of the same, go-along-to-get-along politics?" said Julie Gonzales,...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at a 鈥淔ighting Oligarchy鈥� tour stop held by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus on May 24, 2026 in Orono, Maine. Platner is the presumptive Democratic nominee and will face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for Maine's U.S. Senate seat in the general election. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Democrats cannot ignore Graham Platner’s red flags and hold the moral high ground (抖阴ap)

By Doug Friednash

June 3, 2026 at 11:40 a.m.

Democrats' moral double standard is being exposed in Maine as the party prepares to nominate...

Gov. Jared Polis delivers his final State of the State address in the House chamber at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis rejects tribalism by granting Tina Peters clemency (Letters)

By DP 抖阴ap

May 23, 2026 at 5:01 a.m.

Letters: Both parties have weaponized the justice system. Let's de-escalate tribalism.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference on the new 鈥淗ealthy Colorado For All鈥� initiative in the Governor鈥檚 Residence at the Boettcher Mansion in Denver on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He also took questions from the media about his recent commutation of Tina Peters' prison sentence. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis brushes off party’s censure over Tina Peters clemency, saying he’s ‘really proud to be a Democrat’

By Nick Coltrain

May 21, 2026 at 6:53 p.m.

鈥淢arlon and the kids were thrilled because they thought it meant I鈥檇 be home earlier...

Former President Donald Trump speaks at his caucus night event, with sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. looking on, at the Iowa Events Center on January 15, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The IRS settlement fund for Trump is blatant corruption at the highest level (Letters)

By DP 抖阴ap

May 21, 2026 at 5:01 a.m.

"President Trump established a $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who feel they were harmed...

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivers his final State of the State address in the House chamber at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Polis used his final annual speech to highlight achievements made on housing, education and transportation, among other issues. Behind Polis is House Speaker Julie McCluskie. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Colorado Democrats officially censure Gov. Jared Polis for Tina Peters clemency

By Nick Coltrain

May 21, 2026 at 8:38 a.m.

More than 700 people signed onto a complaint accusing Gov. Jared Polis of "conduct detrimental"...

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