5 things to watch on primary election night in Colorado

5 things to watch on primary election night in Colorado

Colorado's biggest primary in recent history will test what kind of Democratic Party voters really want.

Why it matters: Colorado's primary election is drawing national attention as a harbinger of where the major political parties are headed — and whether voters are embracing establishment incumbents or pushing for change.

State of play: Here are five storylines to watch Tuesday night.

1. The power of the progressives. Three marquee races will demonstrate whether progressive challengers can crack Colorado's Democratic establishment.

  • In the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Dianna DeGette faces her strongest primary challenge since first winning the seat in 1996. Melat Kiros' campaign has put the race on the national political map, including collecting an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.
  • U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper remains the favorite against state Sen. Julie Gonzales, but his margin could reveal how much appetite Democratic voters have for an insurgent campaign.
  • In the attorney general's race, David Seligman, executive director of Towards Justice, has pledged to fight corporations and protect civil rights, earning support from the Denver Democratic Socialists of America.

    • 2. The anti-Washington test. Three members of Colorado's congressional delegation face serious challengers: DeGette, Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.

  • Bennet's race is the one to watch. His rival, Attorney General Phil Weiser, has repeatedly tied Bennet to Washington and touted his own state-level experience.

    • 3. Weiser's political ascent. A victory in the governor's race would cap one of Colorado's fastest political rises.

  • Weiser narrowly won the Democratic nomination for AG in 2018 after defeating a progressive challenger. He cruised to reelection in 2022 without a primary opponent and would enter the governor's office after just eight years in statewide politics.

    • 4. Eyes on Republicans. The out-of-power state Republican Party is poised to illustrate why it remains on the sidelines.

  • Victor Marx, a controversial ministry nonprofit leader and first-time candidate, has divided Republicans so sharply that both GOP rivals say they wouldn't support him if he wins.
  • Many Republicans see state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer as their party's strongest general-election candidate, but her campaign has struggled to command the same attention as Marx's.

    • 5. Voter turnout. A big surge in last-minute votes could recast the political math in several contests.

  • It's possible we won't know whether DeGette secures the Democratic nomination Tuesday, particularly if the count is slow in Denver.
  • A surprising increase in young voters, who often vote late, could keep progressives' hope alive, too.