PRESS
For media inquiries, please email press@coloradodems.org.
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.
###
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.
###
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."
###
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.
###
Colorado Democrats Applaud 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar
DENVER — Following today’s vote by the Democratic National Committee’s 49-member Rules and Bylaws Committee to select South Carolina as the first contest in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib and Vice Chair Indira Duggirala, both members of the committee, issued the following statement.
“South Carolina gives Democratic presidential candidates an early test before voters who are central to our party and to winning elections across the country. The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais will have serious consequences for Black representation in the South, and voting rights in South Carolina. Democrats will compete hard for the support of voters in a state where democracy is on the line.
We’re also proud to have worked hard to add New Mexico to the early-state calendar alongside Nevada. Candidates will have to earn the support of Latino, Native and working-class voters and speak directly to the issues facing the West during this early-state window — an historic and important step to driving focused attention on the issues that impact us most.
Public lands, water and wildfire cannot be treated as short-term political issues. They require action and leadership that reaches beyond a two- or four-year election cycle.
Taken together, South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia reflect the coalition needed to win the White House: Black voters in the South, Latino, AAPI, Native and working-class families across the West, the independent-minded voters of New Hampshire, the union households of Michigan, and the fast-growing suburbs of Virginia. A nominee who earns the trust of voters across that coalition will be ready to compete in the states that decide a general election.
Our goal is simple: choose a strong battle-tested nominee who will build strong coalitions, lower costs, create good jobs, protect health care, strengthen public schools and defend the right of people to make their own decisions. That is how Democrats will win in 2028.”
###
Marx’s Campaign Spirals As Illegal Campaign Finance Allegations Mount
DENVER — Barely two weeks into officially becoming the Republican nominee for governor, Victor Marx’s campaign is already melting down amid party infighting, a complete failure to pivot from the primary, and new allegations from state officials that he accepted nearly $80,000 in illegal campaign finance contributions.
Yesterday, 9NEWS reported the Secretary of State’s Elections Division filed a new complaint against the Marx campaign, finding that Marx had accepted “at least 197 contributions from 111 people” exceeding state campaign finance limits. In June, Marx was also ordered by the SOS’s office to pay back over $100,000 in illegal contributions. This newest development comes as Marx tries and fails to restart his campaign in the first days of the General Election.
After barely squeaking by in the primary, Marx attempted to get his party in line behind his campaign by asking other statewide candidates to sign a loyalty pledge. Most refused.
His campaign also falsely claimed former Republican Governor Bill Owens — the last Republican governor elected in Colorado in over 50 years — had endorsed him, which Owens quickly denied.
Marx posted a video launching his general election campaign – but took a shot at his primary opponent, bizarrely muddling his unity message and alienating her voters.
His campaign also pre-emptively refused a joint interview alongside his to-be-announced Lieutenant Governor pick with a Denver TV station, following a pattern of Marx balking at public accountability.
“Every single day brings a new stumble from the Marx campaign. His weak attempts at turning the page after the primary were already undermining his case with voters, and now he has mounting campaign finance problems. It’s close to August, and it’s clear Victor Marx has a long road ahead of him,” said Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles.
LA Times on Victor Marx as Republican Nominee: “God Help Us”
DENVER – This weekend the Los Angeles Times added to the pile of national voices agog that “political caricature” and Colorado Republican Victor Marx could possibly be a real nominee for governor. He has bombastically lied to Coloradans, and at every step run a campaign almost too bizarre to be believed.
Marx has been the CO GOP’s top-ballot candidate for all of ten days and has already alienated much of his party and sparked national incredulity – deepening concerns among Republicans that he will depress turnout and damage GOP candidates all the way down the ballot.
LA Times: Voodoo, exorcism and a killer at age 7. Meet Colorado’s Republican nominee for governor
The weirdest thing is that Marx is the Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, an actual part of these United States.
Most voters will probably have a hard time getting past those autobiographical extravagances, which could spell trouble — depressed GOP turnout, guilt by association — for other Colorado Republicans, including freshman Rep. Gabe Evans. It’s a loss Republicans can ill afford.
The former Colorado Republican Party Chair reiterated the disastrous effect Marx has on his party: proving them ‘impotent and irrelevant.’
That’s what happens when a party and its voters stop seriously competing and instead indulge their passions and fever dreams. You get candidates, and political caricatures, like Victor Marx. God help us.
Victor Marx Wins GOP Nomination for Governor, But Still Can’t Land Support From His Party
DENVER — Just one week into the general election, leading Colorado Republicans are refusing to get behind Victor Marx’s candidacy – and the party is collapsing into prolonged post-primary division and infighting.
This week, the Colorado Sun reported that Marx lied about having the endorsement of former Republican Colorado Governor Bill Owens. In an embarrassing setback for the Marx campaign, Owens had to publicly come out and say he had not yet backed Marx. That fracas came as prominent Republican elected officials and statewide candidates in Colorado are refusing to sign onto Marx’s so-called “unity compact” and coordinate with his campaign – despite false claims from the Marx campaign that Republicans are unifying behind his candidacy.
Read more about the crisis engulfing Colorado Republicans:
Colorado Sun: Victor Marx says he’s being endorsed by Colorado’s last Republican governor. That’s not true — yet.
Victor Marx, the GOP nominee for governor in Colorado, claimed on conservative talk radio Wednesday that he has the backing of Bill Owens, the state’s last Republican governor. ‘I got a call yesterday that he’s endorsing me,’ Marx said on the Jeff and Bill Show on 710KNUS. Except that’s not true — at least not yet.
But Owens said he has not yet endorsed Marx and that if he does, it won’t be for some time. “I want to see Marx’s campaign for the next month or so — what issues he is running on and how he handles himself as a candidate — after which I will make a decision,” Owens said.
Buddy Jericho, Marx’s campaign manager, said that Marx “was referring to information he received from a trusted intermediary who has a close personal and professional relationship with Gov. Owens.” Jericho said that information was consistent with the conversation Marx had with Owens in which Owens said he expected to be able to support the GOP nominee for governor.
The discrepancy comes as Marx tries to unite Republicans after winning the three-way GOP primary for governor in Colorado with only 40% of the vote. The race was so close that it wasn’t called until more than a week after Election Day.
Some in the GOP are refusing to support Marx because of his extraordinary, sensational and, in many cases, uncorroborated personal backstory — including a claim that he was forced to kill a man as a child and that he performs exorcisms.
9News reported this week that Marx’s campaign circulated a “unity compact” asking other Republican general election candidates in Colorado this year whether they’re willing to publicly voice support for Marx and campaign with him.
Colorado voters have not elected a Republican to a statewide office since 2016.
Colorado Politics: Republican candidates pass on signing Colorado gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx’s ‘unity compact’
Two of the four other statewide Republican candidates, however, told Colorado Politics that they aren’t signing on to the six-page agreement — dubbed the Republican General Election Unity Compact by the Marx campaign — while a spokesman for another said his campaign is “reviewing” the proposal. The fourth didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment.
During the GOP primary campaign, both Kirkmeyer and Bottoms said they weren’t going to endorse Marx if he won the primary, with Bottoms describing Marx as a liar and a “con man” and Kirkmeyer saying his nomination “could be the extinction of the Republican Party.”
It’s a sharply different response than the one that greeted Weiser after he defeated U.S. Sen Michael Bennet in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, when the two former rivals appeared together on stage and embraced two days after the election, alongside a dozen other winning and losing candidates at a unity rally sponsored by the state Democratic Party in Denver.
State Sen. Mark Baisley, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat John Hickenlooper, told Colorado Politics he is passing on signing Marx’s compact.
Republican secretary of state nominee James Wiley, who made an unsuccessful run for Congress on the Libertarian ticket two years ago, told Colorado Politics on Monday that he’d decided against signing the compact but is “open to more conversation” with Marx about how their campaigns can collaborate.
Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen, the Republican nominee for attorney general, didn’t receive the compact until Tuesday morning, a campaign spokesman said, adding that the Allen campaign is “reviewing” the document.
###
Colorado Democrats Respond to Trump’s Latest Attack on Free and Fair Elections
DENVER — After President Donald Trump used a primetime address to repeat baseless claims about the 2020 election and demand more federal control over American elections, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib and Voter Protection Director Emily Dowd issued the following statements:
“Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Nearly six years later, he’s still using the presidency to waste taxpayer money and time to investigate his delusions and spread conspiracy theories because he can’t accept that fact,” said Murib. “Colorado has already paid a price for his obsession, after he blamed our trusted mail voting system as a reason to take the U.S. Space Command away from Colorado Springs and change a regional economy overnight. Colorado’s elections are safe, secure and fair. We’ll continue to protect every Coloradan’s freedom to vote.”
As Trump renewed attacks on mail voting and called for sweeping changes before the midterm elections, Colorado Democrats said they will continue working to protect every eligible Coloradan’s freedom to vote.
“Regardless of the president’s paranoid, baseless beliefs about the 2020 election, our voter protection team is committed to protecting eligible voters’ right to access our safe, secure, and fair elections,” said Dowd. “We are working with bipartisan election officials, lawyers, and volunteers statewide to ensure every eligible voter in Colorado can register to vote and cast a ballot that counts this fall.”
Republicans know voters are rejecting their agenda, so they’re trying to change the rules before November by attacking voting rights, redrawing electoral maps, and undermining trust in our elections. Democrats won’t stop fighting back and defending eligible voters’ right to vote.
Our Voter Protection team is preparing for attacks on the right to vote, including by this administration. Please share the voter assistance hotline, 1-833-336-8683 with anyone who experiences voter intimidation or suppression. When you call, trained volunteer lawyers can help with registration and voting questions and escalate serious issues to local attorneys, election officials, or law enforcement when needed.
ICYMI: What You Need to Know About GOP Extremist Victor Marx
DENVER — After more than a week of counting votes, Victor Marx is officially the Republican nominee for Colorado Governor – and Republicans are already in full-on meltdown.Marx’s “bizarre” campaign for governor has been more of a disaster than 2022 nominee Heidi Ganahl’s conspiracy-tainted run. After using a memorial event to launch his campaign, he refused to answer basic questions – , such as how many people he may have killed as an adult, or about his dubious claims of running alleged ‘high-risk rescue missions’ in warzones across the globe. He even threatened to have his dog bite debate moderator Kyle Clark.
Marx’s campaign was also beset by claims of campaign finance malfeasance, and has already been told by the Secretary of State’s Office to completely refile finance reports and drain his leftover campaign cash to refund donors.
Other Republicans, including Ganahl and former opponents Barb Kirkmeyer and Scott Bottoms, have already said they would not support him as nominee. Kirkmeyer even said she felt unsafe in the same room as Marx. A former GOP Chair even called his run a “death wish” for the party, and some on the right have already said that wayward three-time gov candidate and former congressman Greg Lopez,who is running an unaffiliated campaign, would be their pick in November — leaving the GOP at risk of a disastrous re-run of the 2010 party split that left Republican Dan Maes with only 11% of the vote.
“By elevating Marx to lead their ticket in November, the Colorado GOP has planted their party flag all but permanently in the wilderness,” said spokesperson Kailee Stiles. “Coloradans need a governor who will fight for them — all Coloradans will ever get from Victor Marx are outrageous lies about himself to sell a few dozen more books, at best.”
###
Colorado Republican Primary Nominates “Bizarre” MAGA Fringe Candidate for Governor
DENVER — Today despite months of swirling doubt and questions about his “bizarre” claims about his personal history, “high risk humanitarian” outreach work and extreme beliefs, Victor Marx was chosen as the Colorado Republican Party’s nominee for governor.
Chair Shad Murib has issued the following statement:
“Colorado families have too much at stake to risk electing a bizarre, unserious candidate like Victor Marx as governor. Even Republicans call him a con man and a cheat. Coloradans need a governor who will fight for them and address the challenges facing our state – not a MAGA charlatan. We will be taking every opportunity from now until November to hold Victor Marx for his words and actions and show voters that he has no place leading Colorado.”
Marx’s hard-right campaign have helped him capture the GOP nomination, but his own ludicrous claims will doom his longshot bid come this fall:
He says he beheaded a cat and killed a man when he was a child and won’t say if he killed others as an adult
Marx has lied about rescuing 45,000 women and children from dozens of high-risk areas worldwide to grift for his ministry,
Said he illegally led military operations against ISIS as a civilian and has a black belt in “Cajun Karate,”
Claims he can exorcise demons over the phone.
###
Colorado Democrats Unite After Primary, Show Strength to Launch General Election
DENVER — Colorado Democrats today united behind their nominees for the 2026 General Election, launching the party’s coordinated campaign and kicking off the road to victory in November.
The event followed a competitive primary election, with more than 1,400,000 voters participating across Colorado. The strong turnout underscored Democrats’ readiness to take on Donald Trump and Republicans by fighting to flip the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, protect statewide offices and elect Democrats up and down the ballot this fall.
“Today, Colorado Democrats are coming together behind one ticket, one party and one goal: winning in November,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “In just 18 months, Donald Trump and the Republican Party have wrecked our economy, dragged America into another needless war, kicked tens of thousands of Coloradans off SNAP and health care insurance, and blown a billion-dollar hole in Colorado’s state budget. Democrats are organized, united and ready to protect our freedoms, lower costs, defend democracy and deliver for Colorado families.”
Democrats thanked every candidate who stepped up to run, every voter who participated in the primary and every volunteer already working to elect Democrats in November. While the primary gave voters a choice, party leaders made clear that Democrats are now moving forward united behind their nominees and focused on winning this fall.
“Thank you to Senator Bennet, to every Democrat who ran and to every Coloradan who voted in this primary,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser, Democratic nominee for Governor of Colorado. “We had a real contest, and now we have a united team. When we show up, listen to one another and work together, we win and we make life better for people. That is the work ahead.”
“Everyone here is united in our effort to expand access to health care, stop Donald Trump’s corruption and fight for working families facing rising costs,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. “Together, we're building an economy that gives every Coloradan a real shot at the American dream, and we're ready to win in November.”
Now Colorado Democrats begin the General Election focused on electing Democrats at every level, including flipping Colorado's 3rd, 5th and 8th Congressional Districts with battle-tested nominees, protecting Democratic statewide offices, expanding Democratic majorities in the Colorado General Assembly and continuing to build Democratic strength in communities across the state.
Attendees included U.S. Senator Michael Bennet; U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; Attorney General Phil Weiser, Democratic nominee for Governor; Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Democratic nominee for Attorney General; U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse; U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen; House Speaker Julie McCluskie; Senate President James Coleman; State Senator Julie Gonzales; Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez, Democratic nominee for Secretary of State; State Senator Jeff Bridges, Democratic nominee for Treasurer; Melat Kiros, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 1st Congressional District; former State Representative Shannon Bird, Linda Padilla, president of LiUNA Local 720; Hetal Doshi; and Joe Reagan.
The event brought together Democratic nominees, candidates, elected officials, party leaders, volunteers and supporters committed to organizing in every corner of Colorado. The Colorado Democratic Party’s 2026 Coordinated Campaign will continue that work through canvassing, phone banking, voter registration and volunteer mobilization as Democrats fight to protect Colorado’s freedoms, lower costs for working families, defend democracy and elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Melat Kiros on Winning Democratic Nomination for CD-1
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates Melat Kiros on winning the Democratic nomination in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District and thanks Congresswoman Diana DeGette for her extraordinary service to Denver, Colorado, and the country.
“Tonight, Democrats in Denver made their voices heard, and our party is stronger when more people see a place for themselves in it,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “We congratulate Melat Kiros, honor Congresswoman DeGette’s remarkable service, and look forward to bringing Democrats together to win in November and keep Colorado moving forward.”
Kiros’ campaign brought new energy, new voices and new voters into the Democratic Party. Her victory marks a major moment for Colorado Democrats, and voters have reminded us that there is far more that unites us than divides us, and that our Party is healthiest when we engage in spirited conversation about the future of our country.
Her coalition included many Democratic Socialists and grassroots organizers, and we welcome their voice in our big and diverse tent. This primary reminded us that there is far more that unites us than divides us, and that our Party is healthiest when we engage in spirited conversation about the future of our country while aligning around our shared values.
Congresswoman DeGette’s decades of leadership have made a lasting mark on Colorado, from defending reproductive freedom to fighting for working families and standing up for our democracy. Congresswoman DeGette deserves our gratitude, our thanks and appreciation for her steady, principled leadership.
The Colorado Democratic Party believes strongly that voters deserve a party and campaigns that challenge us to think deeply, push our own boundaries, and engage in difficult conversations.
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Dwayne Romero on Winning Democratic Nomination for CD-3
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates Dwayne Romero on winning the Democratic nomination in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District and thanks Alex Kelloff for his energetic campaign and commitment to Colorado.
CD-3 will be one of Colorado’s most important races in November, and Democrats are ready to compete across Western and Southern Colorado with a nominee focused on lowering costs, protecting freedoms, and standing up for working families. The Colorado Democratic Party is building a campaign that touches every district this fall, and Western and Southern Colorado are ready to elect new leadership focused more on them than doing Washington’s bidding.
“Dwayne Romero is ready to take this fight directly to Congressman Jeff Hurd and give CD-3 the representation it deserves,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “We are grateful to Alex Kelloff and his supporters for their energy and commitment to this race. Now Democrats are coming together to defeat Congressman Jeff Hurd, flip this seat, and deliver real leadership for Western and Southern Colorado.”
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Jessica Killin on Winning Democratic Nomination for CD-5
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates Jessica Killin on winning the Democratic nomination in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District and thanks Joe Reagan for his campaign. .
Killin enters the general election ready to fight for Colorado Springs families, lower costs, protect freedoms, and bring serious leadership to a district that deserves better than Jeff Crank’s loyalty to Donald Trump and the Republican agenda. As one of our top priorities, the Colorado Democratic Party looks forward to holding Jeff Crank accountable for letting Trump rip Space Command from Colorado Springs, support the MAGA giveaways to wealthy corporations, and make life harder for veterans.
“Jessica Killin is ready to take on Jeff Crank and give El Paso County a representative who puts Colorado families first,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “As an Army veteran, Jessica brings a spirit of service, a can-do attitude, and a laser focus on cutting costs and improving lives to this race. Now our party is united behind her and ready to compete, organize, and win in November.”
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Phil Weiser on Winning Democratic Nomination for Governor
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates Attorney General Phil Weiser on winning the Democratic nomination for governor and thanks U.S. Senator Michael Bennet for his campaign and decades of service to Colorado.
Attorney General Weiser has been on the front lines of holding the Trump administration accountable, protecting the rule of law, and taking on powerful interests that harm workers, consumers and everyday Coloradans. His campaign laid out a vision for a Colorado that is more affordable, more just, and more prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
“Phil Weiser has never backed down from a fight when Colorado families, workers, consumers, or our democracy are on the line,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “We thank Senator Bennet for his extraordinary service and his work to protect public lands, expand opportunity, and build a stronger Democratic Party across Colorado. Democrats are coming out of this primary united, focused, and ready to win in November.”
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Manny Rutinel on Winning Democratic Nomination for CD-8
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates State Representative Manny Rutinel on winning the Democratic nomination in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District and thanks Shannon Bird for her spirited campaign and commitment to Colorado.
CD-8 is one of the most competitive districts in the country, and Rutinel enters the general election ready to unseat Republican incumbent Gabe Evans, lower costs, protect Coloradans’ freedoms, and fight for working families. Gabe Evans can be defined by his support for pardoning January 6 insurrectionists who attacked police officers, supporting Trump’s giveaways to billionaires that working people are paying for, and being a rubber stamp vote for the MAGA agenda.
“Manny Rutinel is ready to take on Gabe Evans and give CD-8 the energetic and thoughtful leadership it deserves,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “We thank Shannon Bird and her supporters for her work in this primary. Now Democrats are united behind State Representative Manny Rutinel, ready to flip this seat, and focused on winning in November.”
###
Colorado Democrats Congratulate Amanda Gonzalez on Winning Democratic Nomination for Secretary of State
DENVER — The Colorado Democratic Party congratulates Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez on winning the Democratic nomination for Colorado Secretary of State and thanks State Sen. Jessie Danielson for her campaign and service to Colorado.
Gonzalez has spent her career protecting access to the ballot, strengthening trust in government, and running fair, secure, and accessible elections. As Secretary of State, she will defend Colorado’s nationally recognized election system and stand up to Republican attacks on voting rights.
“Amanda Gonzalez knows elections, knows Colorado, and knows what it takes to protect democracy when it is under attack,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib. “We are grateful to Jessie Danielson and her supporters for bringing their energy and ideas to this race. Democrats are coming out of this primary united, focused, and ready to win in November.”
###