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Colorado's unexpectedly interesting House race

A moderate Democrat is pressuring Boebert this election season

Election

Lauren Boebert&#x27;s challenger in Colorado&#x27;s 4th Congressional District race is testing whether four M&#x27;s — money, momentum and moderate messaging — can crack one of the state&#x27;s last Republican strongholds.Why it matters: CD-4&#x27;s a test of whether a Democrat running to the middle can peel away enough Republican and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unaffiliated voters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" data-vars-content-id="44c2f48e-6589-441a-afee-fbf1cf7d136c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s unexpectedly interesting House race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/17/colorado-registered-voter-unaffiliated-democrat-republican" target="_self">unaffiliated voters</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="compete in Trump country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/democrats-are-feeling-increasingly-bullish-about-controlling-congress/" data-vars-content-id="44c2f48e-6589-441a-afee-fbf1cf7d136c" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s unexpectedly interesting House race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/18/democrats-are-feeling-increasingly-bullish-about-controlling-congress/" target="_blank">compete in Trump country</a>.

Boebert and Laubacher jab over CD-4

The candidates sparred over Trump, Iran and their political records.

Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and Democratic challenger Eileen Laubacher faced off this week in their only debate before voters in Colorado&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="4th Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/10/08/boebert-laubacher-cd4-race" data-vars-content-id="7b4be082-e8ba-42f9-838e-58a1aa9c92a4" data-vars-headline="Boebert and Laubacher jab over CD-4" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/10/08/boebert-laubacher-cd4-race" target="_self">4th Congressional District</a> head to the polls.Why it matters: It was a rare chance to size up the candidates in a race that&#x27;s drawn unusual attention for a Republican stronghold.

Boebert denies sexual relationship allegations

The formal complaint claims she had sexual relationships with three congressional staffers she supervised.

U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Lauren Boebert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/24/lauren-boebert-controversy-congress" data-vars-content-id="7cef6a97-12eb-4fc7-95d7-e2973d1bec52" data-vars-headline="Boebert denies sexual relationship allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/06/24/lauren-boebert-controversy-congress" target="_self">Rep. Lauren Boebert</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denies" data-vars-click-url="https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-boebert-denies-allegations-september-17-filing?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="7cef6a97-12eb-4fc7-95d7-e2973d1bec52" data-vars-headline="Boebert denies sexual relationship allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://boebert.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-boebert-denies-allegations-september-17-filing?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">denies</a> allegations she had sexual relationships with three congressional staffers she supervised, calling recent claims from an anti-Boebert group whose super PAC terminated last year &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="filthy garbage" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/laurenboebert/status/2101808327558881750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2101808327558881750%7Ctwgr%5Ea1a212cb849048061ca92350b431fda3e097d13c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhereisthebuzz.com%2Flauren-boebert-responds-to-media-coverage-of-staffer-allegations-i-hate-to-spoil-the-fan-fiction-but-yall-need-to-do-better%2F" data-vars-content-id="7cef6a97-12eb-4fc7-95d7-e2973d1bec52" data-vars-headline="Boebert denies sexual relationship allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/laurenboebert/status/2101808327558881750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2101808327558881750%7Ctwgr%5Ea1a212cb849048061ca92350b431fda3e097d13c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwhereisthebuzz.com%2Flauren-boebert-responds-to-media-coverage-of-staffer-allegations-i-hate-to-spoil-the-fan-fiction-but-yall-need-to-do-better%2F" target="_blank">filthy garbage</a>.&quot;The latest: David Wheeler, who leads American Muckrakers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sent a sworn complaint" data-vars-click-url="https://media.coloradotimesrecorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Boebert_Complaint_REDACTED_For_Publication_Redacted.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7cef6a97-12eb-4fc7-95d7-e2973d1bec52" data-vars-headline="Boebert denies sexual relationship allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.coloradotimesrecorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Boebert_Complaint_REDACTED_For_Publication_Redacted.pdf" target="_blank">sent a sworn complaint</a> to the House Ethics Committee on Sept. 17, but committee rules bar it from being accepted within 60 days of an election.

DougCo's choose-your-own-adventure commissioner fight

Voters face connected questions over how the DougCo's commission should work.

Your ballot will ask whether Douglas County should go from three commissioners to five this November.Yes, but: That simple question won&#x27;t come close to capturing the messy fight that put it there.

DougCo commissioners add competing ballot measure

A new ballot question complicates how a five-member commission could be elected.

Douglas County commissioners added another wrinkle to November&#x27;s ballot Monday, giving voters yet another choice about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the board&#x27;s future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.douglasco.gov/board-county-commissioners/transparency/3-to-5-commissioners-voter-initiated-measure/" data-vars-content-id="0a2ede48-254f-4010-8329-b8b2b0fd1d57" data-vars-headline="DougCo commissioners add competing ballot measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.douglasco.gov/board-county-commissioners/transparency/3-to-5-commissioners-voter-initiated-measure/" target="_blank">the board&#x27;s future</a>.Why it matters: Voters already face a big decision about the commission this fall.

Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert

Lauren Boebert faces a different kind of Democratic challenger.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher has the resume, money and growing institutional support that could make U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert sweat the 4th Congressional District seat Republicans routinely dominate.Why it matters: Laubacher, a former Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeschool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/eileenforcolorado/posts/i-homeschooled-my-five-kids-for-years-it-was-a-challenge-to-say-the-least-teachi/122183229296870310/" data-vars-content-id="be1b9264-e016-4eae-8957-848b59610bf1" data-vars-headline="Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/eileenforcolorado/posts/i-homeschooled-my-five-kids-for-years-it-was-a-challenge-to-say-the-least-teachi/122183229296870310/" target="_blank">homeschool</a> mom and U.S. Naval Academy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236454/rear-admiral-eileen-laubacher/" data-vars-content-id="be1b9264-e016-4eae-8957-848b59610bf1" data-vars-headline="Laubacher turns up the heat on Boebert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236454/rear-admiral-eileen-laubacher/" target="_blank">graduate</a> from Highlands Ranch, is running toward the middle as a Democrat in solid red territory.

DougCo bucks Colorado Dems' leftward wave

Establishment Dems ran slightly stronger in DougCo.

Colorado&#x27;s ultra-progressives flexed mega muscle in Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic primary" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/46386963.6162/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2RlbnZlci8yMDI2LzA2LzMwL3doYXQtdG8td2F0Y2gtcHJpbWFyeS1lbGVjdGlvbi1uaWdodC1jb2xvcmFkbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2FyYXBhaG9lJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/69c18dc28177a460b901870aB35bfb510" data-vars-content-id="3e970913-d6a8-4e9f-a58c-f7fe9f96771b" data-vars-headline="DougCo bucks Colorado Dems&#x27; leftward wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/46386963.6162/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2RlbnZlci8yMDI2LzA2LzMwL3doYXQtdG8td2F0Y2gtcHJpbWFyeS1lbGVjdGlvbi1uaWdodC1jb2xvcmFkbz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX2FyYXBhaG9lJnN0cmVhbT10b3A/69c18dc28177a460b901870aB35bfb510" target="_self">Democratic primary</a> — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beating establishment candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/colorado-democratic-primary-results-takeaways?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_arapahoe&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="3e970913-d6a8-4e9f-a58c-f7fe9f96771b" data-vars-headline="DougCo bucks Colorado Dems&#x27; leftward wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/07/01/colorado-democratic-primary-results-takeaways?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_arapahoe&amp;stream=top" target="_self">beating establishment candidates</a> up and down the ballot.Zoom in: But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Douglas County" data-vars-click-url="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Douglas/126612/web.345435/#/summary" data-vars-content-id="3e970913-d6a8-4e9f-a58c-f7fe9f96771b" data-vars-headline="DougCo bucks Colorado Dems&#x27; leftward wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Douglas/126612/web.345435/#/summary" target="_blank">Douglas County</a> — long a GOP stronghold — wasn&#x27;t as hostile to those Democrats as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state overall" data-vars-click-url="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/126592/web.345435/#/summary" data-vars-content-id="3e970913-d6a8-4e9f-a58c-f7fe9f96771b" data-vars-headline="DougCo bucks Colorado Dems&#x27; leftward wave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/126592/web.345435/#/summary" target="_blank">state overall</a>.

Why some first-time voters get ballot cure notices

Need a ballot cure? Your vote can still count.

Douglas County expects about 60,000 ballots to be returned Tuesday, but some first-time voters may find Election Day isn&#x27;t their final step.The big picture: The county clerk&#x27;s office expects Tuesday&#x27;s rush to push returned ballots past 100,000 since voting began earlier this month.

1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 4th Congressional District

Laubacher, a retired Navy rear admiral, has built a major fundraising edge.

Two Douglas County Democrats are making <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="different cases" data-vars-click-url="https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/06/09/candidate-qa-colorado-1st-congressional-district-4/" data-vars-content-id="a6365788-4645-4639-b480-e38bd4d5fe38" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Democratic race for 4th Congressional District" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/06/09/candidate-qa-colorado-1st-congressional-district-4/" target="_blank">different cases</a> for how to challenge U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado&#x27;s 4th Congressional District, setting up a primary that&#x27;s as much about strategy as ideology.The big picture: Former Republican and retired Navy Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, 57, enters the primary&#x27;s final weeks as the favorite, backed by a military resume, national profile and fundraising edge in a district that anchors much of Colorado&#x27;s Republican base.

Douglas County schools brace for pivotal summer decisions

Funding, growth and policy shifts will shape DCSD's future.

Education

Douglas County School District superintendent Erin Kane heads into a consequential summer with decisions that will shape 2026-27 and beyond.State of play: As the academic year winds down, Kane is juggling school consolidations, new construction and a potential tax ask — all against a shifting political landscape. The next few months could determine how the district is structured, staffed and funded long-term.

Election 🗳️

Boebert and Laubacher jab over CD-4

Colorado GOP U.S Senate candidate defends Trump's Iran war

Colorado governor candidates Marx, Weiser clash over domestic violence

Colorado's unexpectedly interesting House race

What's at stake on Colorado's ballot in 2026