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Weiser and Longshot Lopez Face Off at Club 20 – Marx Missing
MAGA Extremist Marx Missing Amid Multiple Campaign Maelstroms
DENVER – This Saturday in Grand Junction, Attorney General Phil Weiser and hardline conservative gubernatorial longshot Greg Lopez will meet for their second debate – while Republican nominee Victor Marx will miss another stop on the traditional campaign trail.
Victor Marx has strangely refused to debate the full field, claiming he will only meet the Democratic nominee in an unserious, “unmoderated” debate, without any explanation. He also bypassed the August Colorado Springs debate, despite it being in his home city.
MAGA extremist Marx has alienated voters left and right since before he scraped by in June’s primary. But just this week, new leaked audio circulated with Marx’s latest racist comments, saying he was a “reverse coconut” and more comfortable with people of color because of his father’s apparent criminal activity.
Marx’s campaign finance scandal also spiraled further out of control, as he faced another media storm around his latest shady attempts to explain away his online merch store scheme. State officials have already called his hundreds of other campaign finance violations “unprecedented,” and demanded a record $51,000 fine in a state hearing Monday.
Watch Jen Psaki’s takedown of Victor Marx here
Conservative longshot Lopez is going west for his second and final matchup with Weiser, in a mad dash for relevance with barely six weeks to go until Election Day. Lopez has so far failed to gain traction or escape his hardline conservative record; he reported raising less than $18,000 in the July-August reporting period.
“AG Weiser is gearing up for debate round two because he’s ready to meet his opponents and voters where they are,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles. “What’s Victor Marx afraid of – besides accountability?”
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Colorado Democratic Party Launches Voter Protection Advisory Council
DENVER — Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib today appointed attorneys David Seligman and Colorado Democratic Party General Counsel Martha Tierney as co-chairs of the party’s Voter Protection Advisory Council.
The Council will provide legal and strategic guidance to the party’s voter protection team as well as support outreach as it works with election officials, attorneys and volunteers across Colorado.
The team helps distribute trustworthy election information to voters so they can register to vote, cast their ballots and to ensure those ballots are counted. The voter protection program also hosts a voter assistance hotline to respond to reports of voter intimidation or suppression and to assist voters with their questions about how to vote.
“Colorado is a national leader in secure, accessible elections, and we intend to keep it that way no matter what Donald Trump or Colorado Republicans think,” Murib said. “David and Martha are experienced attorneys who know how to protect voters and stand up for our democracy. Their appointments also reflect the strength and unity of our party as we work together to win in November.”
The Colorado Democratic Party is building a statewide voter protection operation that includes hundreds of poll watchers, legal teams in key counties, mobile response teams and an Election Day legal center. The operation is led by CDP Voter Protection Director Emily Dowd, an experienced attorney and policy adviser with a background in election law and state policy.
“Voter protection takes preparation, coordination and people who are ready to respond to incidents large or small,” Dowd said. “Martha and David bring decades of valuable legal experience to this work. Their partnership will help us protect every eligible Coloradan’s right to vote and ensure that we are reaching key communities with reliable voter information.”
Tierney’s decades of election law experience include representing political organizations, elected officials and voting rights advocacy groups in high-stakes, high-profile election-related litigation. Martha has been instrumental in the development of the Colorado Democratic Party’s voter protection program for over twenty years.
“Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and protecting it requires serious work long before Election Day,” Tierney said. “I’m honored to help lead this council and support the attorneys, volunteers and election officials working to ensure Coloradans can vote safely and confidently.”
Seligman is a workers’ rights and civil rights lawyer and executive director of Towards Justice. He sought the Democratic nomination for Colorado attorney general earlier this year.
“Whatever differences we may have during a primary, Democrats stand united to protect every eligible citizen’s sacred right to vote,” Seligman said. “We love this country too much to let extraordinary wealth and power drown out the voices of everyday people. The ballot box is how we reclaim our democracy and build an economy that works for all of us, and I’m proud to join this effort.”
Voters who need help or have questions can call the voter assistance hotline at 1-833-336-8683 or visit ColoradoDems.org/vote.
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Marx’s Merch Store Scheme Keeps Unraveling
Republican Gov Candidate “stepping on multiple rakes at once”
DENVER – New reporting yesterday showed Victor Marx is getting caught even deeper in a web of controversy about his campaign merch store – and whether he’s been personally profiting off his supporters’ donations.
9News shared new audio from a recent campaign event, where Marx again tried to explain away the campaign finance reports indicating he personally owned – and was profiting from – the campaign merchandise store.
Marx instead stepped on “multiple rakes at once,” by either admitting he filed false campaign finance reports…or by lying to keep hiding his grift from the public.
MARX: “So, Greg [Carlson] put my name on it to get the $5000 into the campaign account. That was just for TRACER. I have nothing to do with the LLC. Greg put my name on it to get the $5000 into the campaign account.”
“Either Republican Victor Marx has been manipulating his supporters into putting their hard-earned cash into his pocket, or he’s lying to the public and submitting fraudulent campaign finance reports. Coloradans deserve the truth, but we sure can’t expect it from Victor Marx,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles.
ICYMI: Local press has doggedly followed Marx’s widening campaign finance scandal since July, when 9News initially broke the story that Marx was urging supporters to illegally buy unlimited merchandise from his online store. Marx just last week told the Denver Post that the filing linking him to the merch store was a “silly mistake.”
The merch store’s operations are still under investigation by the Secretary of State’s Election Division. A state hearing into separate complaints that Marx accepted $81,000 in illegal excess contributions is expected to announce a decision in the coming week.
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QUICK CLIP: Victor Marx Says He's Comfortable Around People of Color Because of Father's Drug Dealing
DENVER – New audio circulating today reveals Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s shocking remarks on people of color – breaking new ground in showing just how wrong Marx is for Colorado.
In the released audio, Marx says his father’s alleged criminal activity as a “drug dealer and a pimp” is what made him “very comfortable around people of color” and said his background had made him a “reverse coconut…I’m brown on the inside.”
“Victor Marx thinks criminal activity is what defines people of color, and wants to joke about it. Marx has gone well beyond bizarre comments about demons, and is now trafficking in outright racism. This isn’t a campaign for all Coloradans,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles.
Journalists have questioned the many stories Marx has told about his backstory since early in primary season. Abortion advocates also brought more of Marx’s racist and graphic comments about reproductive rights into the light for voters in an August press conference. Marx had previously referred to abortion freedoms as a “self-inflicted genocide” on the Black community and said legal abortion in Colorado was “slaughter,” and “legislating child sacrifice.”
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Republicans Running, But Can’t Hide From Victor Marx
DENVER – With just 50 days to go until Election Day, Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx is still storming ahead with his far-right, bizarre campaign – leaving no time and nowhere to hide for Republicans running alongside him.
Marx’s literally hundreds of campaign problems are accumulating into an avalanche at risk of crushing every other member of his party in the coming election. Republicans Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank, Jeff Hurd, Michael Allen, statehouse and national Republican officials have all tried to duck questions about their support for Marx, convincing absolutely no one.
Even though Marx’s far-right, anti-choice agenda, incompetent campaign, and outrageous comments will be toxic in November, every Republican running for office remains bound to Victor Marx’s ticket.
For his part, Marx also isn’t doing much to prove anyone wrong about his Hail-Mary chances. Marx was filmed yelling at an undecided voter and telling her to vote for Democrat Phil Weiser if she won’t “help him win.” His campaign is canceling events, refusing to attend traditional debates with news outlets in Colorado Springs, Greeley and Grand Junction.
Marx and his camp are also churning out low-rent campaign deepfakes, in one case pitiably trying to prove Marx wasn’t standing virtually alone at the Colorado State Fair.
“When Coloradans begin casting their votes in a few short weeks, there is one advertisement for the Republican Party every single voter will see: the name Victor Marx at the top of their ballot. His Republican Party has already alienated everyday Coloradans looking for stability, freedom and a bright future. Victor Marx is a self-interested extremist, with nothing to offer Coloradans besides the chance to witness the worst campaign in Colorado history.” – Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles
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Colorado Democrats Finalize Positions on 2026 Ballot Measures
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party’s State Central Committee voted Tuesday on seven measures on the November ballot, concluding the Party’s consideration of 2026 ballot measures after previously voting to take positions on others in late May.
“Everyone should be able to afford a good life, make their own health care decisions and have a voice in their government without it breathing down their neck. We believe in protecting Colorado’s land, air and water, connecting and protecting our communities and defending the right to vote. We’re proud to weigh in on these important measures Colorado will consider this fall,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib.
The Colorado Democratic Party supports:
Amendment 87: Graduated Income Tax
Proposition NN: State Public K-12 Education Funding
Ballot Issue 7A: Front Range Passenger Rail Colorado Connector Funding
The Colorado Democratic Party opposes:
Amendment 81: Law Enforcement Reporting Requirements to Federal Authorities
Amendment 82: Right to Natural Gas
Amendment 84: Mail Ballot Voter Identification
Amendment 85: Plain Language Ballot Questions
Amendment 86: Congressional Redistricting
Proposition 132: Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes
Proposition 134: Male and Female Participation in School Sports
Proposition 135: Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors
Proposition 136: Income Tax Rate Cap
Proposition 137: Designate Sporting Goods Sales Tax Revenue for Conservation
You can find more details on the Colorado Democratic Party’s stances on 2026 ballot measures and more at Coloradodems.org/win.
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Toxic Ministry Leader Accused of Ignoring Abuse Endorses Republican Victor Marx
DENVER – Republican nominee for governor Victor Marx touted a new toxic endorsement from the far-right this week. Marx is now openly supported by Andrew Wommack – another right-wing, non-ordained ministry leader in Southern Colorado – who “preaches a fiery version of Christian nationalism” according to the Colorado Times Recorder, and has been credibly accused of ignoring sexual abuse at the evangelical Bible college he ran for 30 years. In 2024, Wommack said “a civil war would be ‘worth it’ if it brought Donald Trump back into power.”
In a weekly campaign podcast last Thursday, Marx promoted a “special endorsement.” The endorsement was from none other than Wommack, leader of the right-wing evangelical Andrew Wommack Ministries and another “demon aficionado” (Colorado Newsline). On Sunday, Marx promoted Wommack’s endorsement again on social media, calling it a “major endorsement” for his campaign.
“Victor Marx is creating one headache after another for every Republican in Colorado,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles. “The record speaks for itself: Marx’s erratic campaign will be defined more by his efforts to win the far-right and the definition of ‘exorcism’ than on doing what’s right for Coloradans.”
Wommack has been a toxic figure at the outskirts of right-wing Colorado politics for years, but Marx has brought him into the very center of the Republican ticket for 2026.
Wommack has made years-long efforts to enact a “theocratic takeover” on Woodland Park’s local school board and city council, even saying he intended to make the Teller County town a local theocracy. Wommack stepped down from running Charis Bible College, which he said had “more weapons than the local police department” shortly after a multi-part Colorado Times Recorder investigation unearthed years of sexual abuse at the school under Wommack’s leadership.
Wommack’s endorsement marks a sharp bait-and-switch for Marx, after he spent most of August attempting to run away from years of bragging that he could save people from demonic possession. Marx tried to back away from demon-talk after swathes of critical media coverage, claiming repeatedly, “I don’t do exorcisms.”
Unfortunately for Marx, a journalist recently discovered audio where Marx claimed he “fought Satan in person” at a juvenile detention facility in Texas, and it circulated among national media. Marx has long claimed this was an exorcism he performed on a young girl he met at that facility, alone in her cell.
9NEWS also reported that the paid exorcisms are "at the center of his $7.5 million per year ministry, All Things Possible, and can fairly be described as [Marx’s] life's work.”
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A Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Week for Republican Victor Marx
National Republicans’ Desperate Rescue Mission for Gabe Evans Can’t Outrun Marx
DENVER – Last week, Republican nominee for governor Victor Marx had another no-good, very bad week, and he and his embattled campaign are struggling to find footing with hardly two months to go until Election Day.
ICYMI
MONDAY: A senior Fox News columnist called out Marx as a prime example of MAGA recklessness and extremism under Trump in a piece for The Hill: Has questionable MAGA behavior become a new norm?
“There is no record of the rescues…no record of any civilian using American military airpower against Middle Eastern terrorists…Despite his history and wild claims, Marx remains the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado. He is endorsed by the Republican Governors Association. This is far from normal politics.”
TUESDAY: Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters did an extended sit-down with CBS Colorado to shore up the GOP ticket, much like US House Speaker Mike Johnson the week before. And just like Johnson,Gruters almost fell apart when asked about the national party’s support for extremist Marx:
[6:08] ANCHOR: So, the Republican nominee for governor in Colorado is Victor Marx. You've heard of him? GRUTERS: Yes. ANCHOR: He's a confessed killer who says he does exorcisms over the phone. Does the RNC support him? GRUTERS: Listen, I'm here to support Gabe Evans and I'm here to support a bunch of other congressional candidates. And listen, our nominees, we support uh across the board.
Just like Johnson, Gruters must have missed Gabe Evans’ unconditional endorsement for Marx on July 9 – immediately after Marx was named the GOP’s nominee for governor.
TUESDAY, TAKE TWO: That very day, Marx all but begged for Republican support for his ticket on the Western Slope, saying at a rally in Montrose: “I may not be the best pick, but I'm the pick,” reported by the Montrose Daily Press.
THURSDAY: Marx’s disgusting, inflammatory comments about abortion, women and the Black community were brought to light and slammed by women who’ve led on protecting abortion freedoms in Colorado: former state representative Leslie Herod, and advocates from COLOR, Cobalt, Planned Parenthood alongside Colorado Democratic Party’s Executive Director.
THURSDAY AGAIN: Marx faced a new scandal on his illegal campaign merch store scheme, as 9News followed the money propping up the apparent “third-party” store to an LLC owned by Marx.
STILL THURSDAY: Marx was called out by Democratic nominee Phil Weiser for being too scared to attend Thursday night’s TV debate in Colorado Springs – a debate on Marx’s own home turf. Marx’s no-show was covered by debate media sponsor Colorado Politics, as well as Colorado Newsline.
FRIDAY: The Denver Post – the state’s paper of record – published another exposé on Marx’s spiraling merch scheme, noting that Marx’s campaign has spent at least $108,000 purchasing branded merchandise for a third-party…whose financial ties still lead straight back to Marx. The merch store website was abruptly taken down Friday night.
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In First Gov Debate, Lopez Shows He’s Still In Lockstep With Trump
Republican Victor Marx Hides From Hard Questions
DENVER – In tonight’s first televised General Election debate for governor, gubernatorial candidate Greg Lopez reminded voters who he really is: a hardline conservative who would never stand up to Donald Trump to protect Colorado.
Lopezrefused to say he would have stood up to Trump when he targeted Colorado over our gold-standard vote-by-mail system andTina Peters’ imprisonment for committing felonies to prove Trump’s election conspiracies.
In the debate, Lopez also firmly supported far-right ballot proposals such as forced gender inspections for schoolchildren, protecting tax breaks for the wealthy, and an initiative that would allow corporate polluters to endanger Coloradans’ basic health and safety. Lopez opposed common-sense gun safety laws, asking, "Why would we need to take a class to exercise our Second Amendment rights?"
Lopez repeatedly tried to run from his hardline conservative record by leaning on his unaffiliated status – but during his six-month stint in a Republican-led Congress in 2024, Lopez voted with his party 94% of the time, breaking with Republicans to vote with the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.
“Tonight’s debate made the choice for voters in November abundantly clear: Phil Weiser has a real plan for Colorado and is ready to lead us into the future. Longshot Greg Lopez showed voters he’s in lockstep with Trump’s agenda – and reckless Republican extremist Victor Marx was nowhere to be found,” said Kailee Stiles, spokesperson for the Colorado Democratic Party. “Coloradans deserve a governor with vision and experience – not candidates pushing MAGA conspiracies and bizarre falsehoods.”
In his many campaigns, Greg Lopez has been unable to outrun a litany of personal issues, including his $15,000 settlement with the US Attorney’s Office forimproperly attempting to influence public servants at the Colorado Small Business Administration office shortly after he abruptly left his role as director.
Republican Victor Marx refused to appear at tonight’s debate, after weeks of bluster and a ludicrous proposal for an “unmoderated debate” between him and Weiser that was soundly rejected by local journalists. Marx’s campaign also recently insisted a local anchor who has reported extensively on Marx’s controversies be removed from moderating an upcoming gubernatorial forum. Marx only participated in one “off-the-rails” televised debate late in the primary.
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Colorado Democrats and Advocates Call Out Victor Marx’s Extreme Views, Graphic Comments Opposing Abortion
Marx Said, Abortion is a “Self-Inflicted Genocide” For Black Community, and Abortion is a “Manifestation of Darkness”
DENVER — Today Colorado Democrats held a press conference with former state representative Leslie Herod and abortion advocates to highlight Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s extremism on abortion. Speakers called out Marx’s years-long history of repeated inflammatory, degrading comments about women and reproductive freedoms, and the threat he poses to Colorado’s constitutional abortion protections.
At the event, speakers highlighted Marx’s past comments that abortions are a “self-inflicted genocide” on the Black community, that abortion is a “manifestation of darkness” and his graphic allusions to disgusting conspiracy theories about healthcare clinics.
“We have to make clear just how extreme Victor Marx is: he’s not only willing to take away Colorado’s constitutional protections for abortion, he spews hatred against women for exercising those freedoms,” said Kate Sneed, Executive Director of the Colorado Democratic Party. “I’m proud that Colorado Democrats have been firm in fighting for reproductive rights for decades, and we will not let Marx or his hatred gain a foothold in Colorado.”
“Far-right Republican Victor Marx not only opposes abortion freedom, and not only shows deep disdain for women – he demeans Black women in particular for exercising their rights in disgusting, graphic language. These extreme comments are reckless and well beyond what we should expect of anyone running for office. Victor Marx is unfit to lead Colorado,” said former state representative, Hon. Leslie Herod (D-Denver).
“Coloradans have made it clear, time and again, that they believe decisions about pregnancy and health care belong to patients, not politicians. Victor Marx is simply out of step with the values of our state. His extreme positions threaten freedoms that Colorado voters have repeatedly chosen to protect. We've fought too hard to secure those rights, and we won't stand by while a politician threatens our freedom to make our own health care decisions," said Claudia Perez, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
“We have worked hard to protect our freedom to decide about our bodies and futures here in Colorado. The voters’ decision to enshrine the legal right to abortion in the state constitution is a clear reflection of our community’s values and our demand that elected officials protect our reproductive rights. The Republican candidate for Governor is not aligned with our values or communities and is absolutely the wrong choice for Colorado,” said Vanessa Martinez, Vice President of Policy for COLOR.
“Republican Victor Marx is right about exactly one thing: We are angry. We have done everything in our power in Colorado to protect the right to an abortion – and still, people like Marx will do everything they can to take us back. We want more rights and freedoms for our children and grandchildren, not fewer. Victor Marx’s hateful comments prove he is anti-freedom, reckless, and absolutely unfit to be governor,” said Kiera Hatton Sena, Political Director for Cobalt.
In his past comments, Victor Marx said he’s worked against abortion “for twenty years,” including with the founder of Focus on the Family, a Colorado-based anti-abortion hate group. In a joint TV interview, his running mate George Markert said he’d “work to rescind Amendment 79,” the constitutional protections for abortion overwhelmingly passed by the voters in 2024.
Event recording available to the media upon request.
More on Victor Marx’s Radical Comments on Abortion:
Marx staked out an extremist far-right position opposing abortion: “There is only life and death. I am for life.” (YouTube, 00:13:12, 08/08/26)
Victor Marx on abortion in the black community: “I want to back up regarding what I call a self inflicted genocide. And I recently posted on this. You know, why? Why specifically the black community is the abortion rate so high? It goes beyond, you know, a horrific form of birth control.” (Facebook Post, 00:29:11, 03/16/23)
Marx continued his racist tirade: “We focus on the black community because that, that is a strategic plan of the enemy to destroy specifically through this death culture.” (Facebook Post, 00:38:25, 03/16/23)
Marx degraded women who support abortion: “People wonder why so many angry women and Karens are out there. You know, we talk about when you kill your own child, you know, your soul knows it.” (Rumble, 00:45:08, 11/11/23)
Marx used his own history of violence to justify opposing abortion: “I’ve killed. And, and I just know this. If people had to look at their own child after they've been murdered, this would all change.” (Rumble, 00:45:32, 11/11/23)
Marx said abortion protections were legal murder: “Where people will legislate the murder, the child sacrifices of a baby.” (Facebook, 1:00:37, 11/30/21)
Marx attacked Planned Parenthood health clinics in graphic language: “But you put them in a, an abortion mill, you put them in a Planned Parenthood and let them kill a child, let them see a baby and then they have to kill that baby. Let's see if they would change their point of view. (Facebook, 01:01:34, 11/30/21)
Marx called abortion an “evil” he’d been fighting for decades: “The manifestation of darkness both in our country and others, when evil goes after children, I mean, we're seeing it with the whole abortion issue. We have always stood for the sanctity of life. We've been doing this now for 20 years.” (Facebook Post, 00:22, 01/02/26)
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Republican Support for Victor Marx is Crumbling, With Only 75 Days Until Election Day
DENVER – Colorado Republicans’ support for Victor Marx as their nominee for governor is crumbling – and they have no answer for his toxic candidacy with only 75 days left in the election.
Multiple outlets have reported on a slew of Republicans, including incumbent representatives Gabe Evans (CO-8) and Jeff Hurd (CO-3), who either outright won’t support or are quietly attempting to distance themselves from Marx. One GOP county chair resigned yesterday rather than support Marx for governor.
CBS 4 recently conducted a sit-down interview with Evans and Speaker Mike Johnson, in a feeble attempt to resuscitate Evans’ struggling campaign. Despite persistent questioning from a reporter about Marx’s shoddy and reckless campaign dragging down Evans’ chances, “neither Johnson nor Evans wanted to talk about Marx.”
Marx immediately faced another punch from his own party this week, as Colorado Public Radio reported he has further aggravated and “exposed infighting” within the GOP. Jeff Hurd, another sitting Republican congressman in danger of losing this fall, also tried to dodge questions about Marx. When asked, Hurd awkwardly said he “wasn’t focused” on the candidate leading his party’s ticket.
Two other lifelong Republicans, including a former state senate leader and a former party chairman, told CPR they categorically refuse to support Marx – and one even said she disaffiliated from the party this summer.
More ICYMI:
“Victor Marx as their gubernatorial nominee…is creating problems for local party officials.” – Colorado Times Recorder
Marx “need[s] a united Republican Party behind him.” – Denver Post
Controversial GOP candidate in Colorado’s governor’s race raising concerns among Republicans – MSNOW
Victor Marx says he’s being endorsed by Colorado’s last Republican governor. That’s not true. – Colorado Sun
Republican candidates pass on signing Colorado gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s ‘unity compact – Colorado Politics
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DNC Includes Denver in Narrowed Field of Three Finalists to Host the 2028 Democratic National Convention
DENVER — The Democratic National Committee announced today that Denver, Boston and Philadelphia are the three finalists to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. A final decision is expected later this year.
“Denver has earned its place in the final three, and Colorado Democrats are ready to bring the convention home to nominate the next president of the United States,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “Twenty years after Barack Obama accepted our party’s nomination at Mile High, Democrats can return to the west to show the country what comes after Donald Trump: leaders who protect our freedoms, lower costs and give working people a fair shot. Denver is ready to make it happen.”
“We are honored that Denver has advanced as one of the top three candidates to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Denver has always been a city forged on the frontier,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “A place defined by big dreams, bold ideas, and pioneer spirit. We proved what this city could do when we hosted in 2008, and we’ve only gotten better since. Today, Denver blends modern transit, world-class venues, and a thriving hospitality scene with the unbeatable energy of the Rocky Mountain West. Hosting the convention again would be a tremendous opportunity for everyone who calls Denver home.
Over the summer we had the privilege of showing DNC members around Denver. They found a city that solves hard problems and takes on tough challenges, but also one that knows how to have fun, that’s bound by a sense of community and civic responsibility. It’s those things that our nation is looking for right now, and we hope they find it in Denver in 2028.”
Denver boasts 13,700 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center and upgrades to Ball Arena for improved suites and ADA access.
National conventions generate a 3x to 4x return on investment for the host city’s economy. Projections suggest an impact exceeding $400M for the 2028 Convention, equivalent to hosting four Super Bowls in one week. This is a concentrated surge in revenue for our local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, and an opportunity to show off what makes Denver — and Colorado — so special.
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Colorado Democratic Party Announces 2026 Challengers Class
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party today announced the 18 Democratic candidates selected for its2026 Challengers program, which provides campaign training, fundraising support and direct assistance to candidates running in deep-red Republican-held legislative districts across Colorado.
The program helps candidates build stronger campaigns through regular trainings, fundraising assistance and biweekly office hours with Colorado Democratic Party staff. It also reflects the party's long-term commitment to competing in every corner of Colorado and building Democratic infrastructure in communities that have too often been left uncontested.
"If we run everywhere, we can compete anywhere," said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. "The Challengers program is about showing up, earning voters' trust and building stronger Democratic campaigns in every part of Colorado. These candidates are doing the hard work of organizing their communities today so we can compete for these districts tomorrow."
Candidates in the Challengers program join a coordinated effort to support state legislative candidates, including CDP’s Democratic Senate Campaign Fund and the House Majority Project, which both focus on electing Democrats in the most hotly-contested battleground districts in the state.
The 2026 Challengers class includes:
Colorado House
House District 14: Sarah Emery
House District 15: Jeff Livingston
House District 21: Michelle Tweed
House District 22: Michael Pierson
House District 39: Christian Schilder
House District 44: Richard Bowness
House District 45: Michael Clarkson
House District 47: Vic Meyers
House District 48: Desarai “Dez” Packard
House District 54: Mallory Martin
House District 55: Brittni Packard
House District 58: Alec Lindeman
House District 60: Kathryn Green
House District 64: Mo Dower
Colorado Senate
Senate District 1: Jamie Jeffery
Senate District 4: Justin Kurth
Senate District 9: William Moses III
Senate District 35: Duane Gurule
Throughout the election cycle, participants will receive dedicated and direct campaign support from the Colorado Democratic Party while working to expand the party's reach, strengthen local Democratic organizations and give voters a choice in districts that have long been represented by Republicans.
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Republican Gov Ticket Would Rescind Colorado’s Constitutional Abortion Protections
DENVER – In a TV interview over the weekend, the Marx-Markert Republican gubernatorial ticket made it clear that they won’t protect Colorado’s constitutional right to an abortion if elected, and would even work to remove them – despite the fact that Colorado voters have overwhelmingly supported those freedoms.
Fox 31’s Matt Mauro pressed Victor Marx and his running mate about their extreme opposition to abortion, and whether they would uphold the Constitutional protections if elected.
George Markert, Marx’s pick for Lieutenant Governor who ran a failed US Senate campaign this year, said unequivocally that he does not support a woman’s right to choose, and he would work to rescind abortion protections if elected.
Marx immediately followed up: “It’s a life and death situation. I am for life.”
Coloradans voted to place abortion protections in the Colorado Constitution by an overwhelming 60% of the vote in 2024, and have rejected yearslong attempts at the ballot and at the state legislature to roll back those freedoms. The latest proposed initiative trying to repeal that constitutional amendment again this election failed to turn in signatures to the Secretary of State’s office on August 3.
“Coloradans have sent a very clear message year after year: do not mess with our reproductive freedoms. Colorado Republicans don’t seem to care. The Marx-Markert ticket left absolutely no doubt this week that they would still take away our rights and catapult our state backward any opportunity they find. They cannot be trusted to lead Colorado.” – Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles.
Read the full exchange from “Point of View”:
Matt Mauro [Fox31]: Do you support the law on the Colorado constitution that says a woman has a right to an abortion? George?
George Markert: I do not.
Mauro: What would you do if you’re lieutenant governor, in terms of addressing that law, keep it as it is? Would you try to get it rescinded?
Markert: Work with all the stakeholders, try to get it rescinded.
Mauro: You would. Victor?
Victor Marx: For me, I'm life. It's a life and death situation. I am for life right now. It's enshrined on the constitution. The people, they'll decide whether they change it or not.
Mauro: Two years ago, people passed it 62 to 38 to go ahead and put it into the state constitution.
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Colorado Democrats Blast Victor Marx’s “Blatant Disregard” for State Law
Chair sends letter to Secretary of State urging prompt investigation of campaign finance violations
DENVER – Today Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib sent a letter to Secretary of State Jena Griswold, highlighting the seriousness of the recent campaign finance allegations against Victor Marx and his “blatant disregard” for state law in recent public comments.
Murib’s letter laid out Marx’s accumulation of potential violations, including new complaints filed this week, following local reports that Marx is operating an online campaign store without disclosures, encouraging supporters to buy unlimited merchandise, and failing to collect donor information as required by law.
Murib further blasted Marx for his public comments last week, when he “demeaned the Secretary of State’s efforts to hold him accountable and bragged publicly about his scheme to circumvent the law” during his weekly campaign podcast.
The letter concludes: “The people of Colorado refuse to accept corruption from our candidates or elected officials. We will demand better, no matter what side of the aisle a candidate is on.”
Read the full letter below (PDF version).
ICYMI: Marx has been embroiled in a widening campaign finance scandal for weeks:
Denver Post: Victor Marx’s campaign accepted more than $78,000 in improper donations, Colorado election officials allege
CBS Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State's Office finds Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx broke campaign finance law
9NEWS: Victor Marx soliciting unlimited donations despite campaign finance limits
Colorado Politics: Victor Marx, GOP candidate for governor, faces 100-plus campaign finance complaints
Denver Gazette: Questions, still unanswered, swirl around Victor Marx
To Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Deputy Secretary Andrew Kline:
The Colorado Democratic Party stands for good governance and accountability. We are alarmed by recent reporting that Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx has not only broken campaign finance law, but demeaned the Secretary of State’s efforts to hold him accountable and bragged publicly about his scheme to circumvent the law.
Local news reported last Friday, July 31 that Marx’s campaign had launched a new online store where the campaign has been selling branded campaign merchandise without proper disclosures. The station also reported Marx’s comments on his podcast last week, where he openly said if supporters “order merchandise, there's no limit on that,” and that previous campaign finance complaints against his campaign were a “nothingburger.” Marx subsequently advertised a 20% off sale on the online store.
We are aware of new complaints filed this week about Marx’s online store, in addition to the bevy of likely violations filed in June and July. We note that these complaints have come from Republican and nonpartisan sources — including your own Elections Division — showing the seriousness of Marx’s actions and apolitical nature of these concerns. The Colorado Democratic Party urges the Office to continue its thorough, prompt investigations into these incredibly concerning developments so Marx and those involved can be held accountable for any illegal actions.
Beyond the substantive allegations that his campaign has broken the law, we want to make one thing extremely clear: Marx’s dismissive comments show a blatant disregard for Colorado law and are disqualifying. It is unacceptable for any candidate to be so cavalier about violating campaign finance laws, especially a candidate running for governor. The people of Colorado refuse to accept corruption from our candidates or elected officials. We will demand better, no matter what side of the aisle a candidate is on.
Sincerely,
Shad Murib
Chair, Colorado Democratic Party
Democrats Target Every Republican-Held Congressional Seat in Colorado
DENVER — Colorado Democrats are competing to flip every Republican-held congressional seat in the state this November.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Colorado’s 3rd and 4th congressional districts to its list of “districts in play” Wednesday. The decision puts Republican Reps. Jeff Hurd and Lauren Boebert on the national battleground map alongside Republican Reps. Jeff Crank and Gabe Evans.
This fulfills a campaign promise by Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib for the Party and national Democrats to compete in every congressional district in Colorado.
“Colorado Democrats have a plan to defeat every Republican member of Congress in our state,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “Republicans have raised costs, threatened health care and let Donald Trump use Colorado families as political pawns. Dwayne Romero, Eileen Laubacher, Jessica Killin and Manny Rutinel offer voters something better: leaders who know their communities and will fight for the people they represent.”
Democrat Dwayne Romero is challenging Hurd in the 3rd District, where a recent poll found the race statistically tied. In the 4th District, retired Navy Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher is challenging Boebert, who has repeatedly underperformed other Republicans in the district.
Democrats are already mounting strong challenges against Crank in the 5th District and Evans in the 8th District. A recent poll found Democrat Jessica Killin one point behind Crank, while the race between Evans and Democrat Manny Rutinel is expected to be among the most competitive House contests in the country.
With strong candidates running across Colorado, Republicans can no longer take any congressional district in the state for granted.
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Complaints Filed After MAGA Grifter Victor Marx Plotted “Patently Illegal” Campaign Merch Scheme
Candidate for Governor Told Donors “There’s No Limit” If They Buy Merch From New Store
DENVER – Today Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s campaign finance scandal careened into overdrive as Colorado Newsline reported new complaints were filed with the Secretary of State’s office alleging he set up a new campaign store to evade legal contribution limits.
The new complaints, publicly available on TRACER, follow Friday’s 9NEWS report that Marx re-opened his campaign store and publicly told donors on his podcast Thursday that there are “no limits” to how much merch they could purchase from his store to support his campaign. One Colorado campaign finance attorney said the scheme was “patently illegal” under state law. As of today, Marx had still failed to have a standard disclaimer that purchases count as campaign donations.
Marx set up the new store to solicit these donations even after state officials said he’d already broken the law by accepting over $80,000 in excess donations during the campaign. He also bragged on his podcast last Thursday that the Secretary of State’s office complaints were a “nothingburger.”
“Victor Marx intentionally set up an illegal campaign store, and then explicitly told donors it was a scheme to evade campaign donation limits,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “This would be outrageous behavior from any candidate. It’s absolutely indefensible from someone who expects to be Colorado’s next governor. The Colorado Democratic Party will be taking initiative to hold Marx accountable for his scam.”
Colorado Democrats Award $48,000 to 20 County Parties
The Colorado Democratic Party today announced $48,000 in grants to 20 county parties through its 2026 Colorado County Comeback program. The Party has budgeted $60,000 for the program and will award the remaining funds later this election cycle.
The first-round grants range from $1,500 to $3,000. In counties where local parties run on small annual budgets, that money can pay for thousands of texts, digital ads and direct conversations with voters. For some recipients, the grants will double or triple the money available for voter outreach.
The grants will help county parties support Democrats running for county commissioner, sheriff, clerk and other local offices. Recipients will use the money to knock doors, send texts, run digital ads, register voters and turn them out.
“These grants make a huge difference in what a county party is able to do to win elections and support candidates,” said Shad Murib, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. “It can mean reaching thousands more voters, giving a first-time candidate a real campaign and building an organization where Democrats have been left to compete alone. We are putting our money behind the people doing that work.”
“Democrats have to show up everywhere to earn voters’ trust and win,” said Congressman Jason Crow, who pledged $20,000 to the program. “These county parties and local candidates are on the front lines of that work. They know their communities, they know how to deliver for working families, and I’m proud to help them get it done.”
“I’ve seen what a grant like this can do for a local campaign,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Andy Kerr, who co-created Colorado County Comeback in 2024. “It buys the tools candidates need to find voters, knock doors and compete. These recipients have plans to put every dollar to work.”
“County government touches almost every part of our lives, from the roads we drive on to the services we depend on,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Jessica Campbell. “We deserve leaders who understand that and take that responsibility seriously. These grants will help local Democrats knock more doors, talk to more neighbors and win the offices that carry out this work.”
The first-round recipients are:
Alamosa County Democrats
Archuleta County Democrats
Chaffee County Democrats
Clear Creek County Democrats
Conejos County Democrats
Delta County Democrats
Douglas County Democrats
Eagle County Democrats
Elbert County Democrats
El Paso County Democrats
Garfield County Democrats
Gilpin County Democrats
Grand County Democrats
Gunnison County Democrats
Larimer County Democrats
Las Animas County Democrats
Montezuma County Democrats
Pueblo County Democrats
Routt County Democrats
Teller County Democrats
Colorado County Comeback first launched in 2024 and provided $50,000 in grants across 17 counties. Participating county parties and candidates made nearly 60,000 door attempts and 23,000 phone attempts. In some counties, the grants doubled local party budgets and paid for organizing that continued after Election Day.
The 2026 Colorado County Comeback provides county parties and candidates with grants, campaign planning, training and staff support. CDP awarded $48,000 in the first round this year and will announce additional recipients later this election cycle, expanding on its 2024 grant distribution.
Learn more at Coloradodems.org/comeback.
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Marx Makes MAGA Pick for Lieutenant Gov; Colorado Democratic Party Chair Issues Statement
DENVER — Today far-right Republican nominee for governor, Victor Marx, announced George Markert as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor, binding his floundering campaign even tighter to the MAGA right. Markert ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican this cycle, but failed to even make the primary ballot.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib has issued the following statement:
"Victor Marx could not have made a more toxic pick for Lieutenant Governor. George Markert has tied himself so tightly to Trump, his disastrous war in Iran, and to far-right figures like Tom Tancredo that it's clear Republicans want to bring the failing, cost-raising MAGA agenda to the Governor's Office."
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Greg Lopez Makes the Ballot for Gov, Scrambling Colorado Republicans’ Attempts to Unify
DENVER – Today the Secretary of State’s office announced Greg Lopez has made the ballot as an Unaffiliated candidate for governor — scrambling Colorado Republicans’ attempts to hold their party together for November.
Lopez, who was elected by Republicans to a deep-red seat in Congress in 2024, left the Republican Party in January of this year and has a long history of far-right stances and run-ins with the law:
Lopez is against abortion, “without exceptions” and has said rape victims should “evaluate the positive”;
Lopez was previously cited in a family domestic violence incident;
He has said he would end “one-person, one-vote” to give Republicans an advantage and end Colorado’s vote by mail system;
Lopez says climate change is not caused by human behavior;
After he left the Small Business Administration, Lopez was investigated by a U.S. Attorney for corruption and forced to pay a $15,000 settlement.
Lopez’s presence on the ballot will force Colorado Republicans to continue propping up their embattled nominee, Victor Marx, who barely defeated a three-candidate primary field this month – leaving Marx vulnerable to Lopez’s conservative third-party challenge as he struggles to coalesce his party’s support.
Marx’s embattled campaign has failed to pivot away from the primary, and he remains mired in scandal after state officials accused him of accepting $80,000 in illegal campaign contributions. His situation is already dire enough that he sent out what 9NEWS called a “loyalty pledge” to other statewide campaigns pleading for their support.
“Make no mistake: there are two far-right Republicans on the ballot for governor this year. Greg Lopez can say he's unaffiliated, but there’s absolutely no doubt about his hard-right stances or his past. Coloradans looking for their next governor will not accept Lopez’s history of personal misconduct, or his attacks on our reproductive freedoms and robust vote-by-mail system — even if some Republicans already sick of Victor Marx’s MAGA-grifter persona and endless scandals welcome Lopez's name on the ballot.” — Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles.
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