Griswold, not Trump, is 1st target in Colorado's Democratic attorney general race

State of play: Four Democrats — including two first-time contenders — are competing to win the party's nomination in the June primary election.

• Griswold is the perceived frontrunner, thanks to her name recognition after eight years as secretary of state and impressive fundraising numbers.
• She entered the election year with more than $1 million in the bank — nearly as much as her three rivals combined, the latest campaign finance reports show.

Yes, but: Her opponents are not holding back. They are traveling the state questioning Griswold's credentials and her absence from several recent campaign events.

• "If you're going to be the people's lawyer, you show up and answer the people's questions," said Michael Dougherty, the current Boulder County district attorney, about Griswold's decision to skip a candidate forum Wednesday at the Denver Press Club.

The other side: In a statement to Axios Denver on Thursday, Griswold campaign manager Aron Johnson said she had a conflict with the press club event. Axios Denver reviewed a document showing it was a fundraiser.

• Johnson also disputed that she is skipping forums. Griswold has attended three forums recently, he said, even though her competitors dismissed them as less consequential events.
• "As secretary of state, a mom and candidate for AG, Jena has a full schedule," Johnson said.