Julie Gonzales qualifies for ballot to challenge to challenge Hickenlooper in U.S. Senate race

State of play: The progressive energy propelled state Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) to the top line on the primary ballot. She won 74% support from the roughly 1,500 delegates in attendance, many of whom gave her a standing ovation.

• Two other candidates, Jessica Williams and Karen Breslin, failed to earn enough support to make the ballot.

Between the lines: An assembly win reflects the support of party activists but not the at-large voting public, meaning it's not a guarantee for victory in the primary election.

What she's saying: In her remarks to delegates, Gonzales said she is the candidate who will support abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and push for universal housing, universal child and elder care.

• She also acknowledged the uphill battle against an incumbent candidate: "You don't have to tell me about long odds … I've been a brown woman all my life."

The other side: Hickenlooper qualified for the ballot earlier this week by submitting petitions with voter signatures. During the party assembly, he met with voters at No Kings protests.