New York results invigorate Colorado progressives

• It may be an encouraging signal to local candidates pitching themselves as alternatives to the status quo.

State of play: Colorado secretary of state candidate Amanda Gonzalez, one of several candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America local chapter, said this week's wins show "voters are tired of politics as usual."

The intrigue: U.S. Senate candidate Julie Gonzales says that if establishment Democrats aren't taking progressives seriously, Republicans sure are: Her GOP opponent, Mark Baisley, has run campaign ads calling her "The Mamdani of Colorado."

• Coloradans are "hungry for and excited about" voting for progressives, Gonzales adds.

Between: Supporters of 1st Congressional District hopeful Melat Kiros, the only candidate fully endorsed by Denver DSA, celebrated the New York results.

• Last week, Kiros secured a key endorsement from progressive titan U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. She's also backed by the left-wing group Justice Democrats, which wants to unseat establishment House Democrats.

What they're saying: "On June 30, we're unseating a [30-year] incumbent," Kiros wrote on her campaign's X account early Wednesday after Tuesday's results.

Reality check: Colorado isn't New York. It's tricky to directly compare the two states.

• New York witnessed a monumental left-wing victory when New York City elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani last year. However, progressive candidates have historically struggled in Colorado.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette told Axios on Wednesday she's "feeling pretty good" about her chances at reelection in the 1st District.

The bottom line: Colorado's left wing clearly feels energized: "We are days away from making history in this state," Gonzales tells us.

• Whether voters feel the same way will be clear next Tuesday.