The 2026 election season started for real this week.

State of play: It's the first day Democrats and Republicans can gather for caucuses and local assemblies.

• What's a caucus? Let's explain.

Why it matters: It's the start of the process for statewide and local candidates to get their names on the June primary ballot.

How it works: Registered Democrats and Republicans will gather this week at schools, churches and Zoom meetings for neighborhood precinct meetings.

• The meeting times and dates vary, but they must take place by Saturday. In some cases, counties are also hosting their assemblies on the same day as the caucus.

Each precinct selects delegates to send to the county assemblies. These delegates represent votes for certain candidates.

• A candidate needs support from 30% of the delegates at a county or state assembly to qualify for the ballot. This is the preferred option for candidates with limited campaign fundraising or those favored by party activists.

Yes, but: A candidate can also qualify by submitting petitions with voter signatures. Those running for statewide office must submit 1,500 valid signatures from registered members of their party in the state's eight congressional districts, for a total of 12,000.

The intrigue: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, both Democrats, chose to submit petitions in their respective races, U.S. Senate and governor, rather than compete in the caucuses.

Republicans already held their caucus but Boulder County's Democratic caucus is Saturday at Fairview High. Any registered voter can participate.

Rock your caucus

Yotsuba Sushi is setting down roots in east Boulder, adding another contender to the city's growing sushi scene.

State of play: Yotsuba opened last summer at 5290 Arapahoe Ave. in the space formerly occupied by Bru Handbuilt Ales & Eats.

Dig in: As its name would suggest, Yotsuba specializes in sushi, from classic nigiri to creative signature rolls with ingredients like Kobe beef, tempura peppers and mango.

• Not feeling sushi? Yotsuba also offers entrées like fried rice, ramen and tempura plates.

🗯️ My thought bubble: I'm a big fan of scallops, but many sushi spots don't use them. Yotsuba offers several scallop nigiri options, plus my favorite item on the menu, the Snow White roll, which features shrimp tempura and ahi topped with spicy scallops.

The vibe: The former brewery layout makes Yotsuba feel more open than a typical sushi spot, and on slower nights the space can feel echoey.

Zoom out: Yotsuba joins a crowded sushi scene in Boulder, alongside recent arrival Kura and highly anticipated Odd Rabbit, plus mainstays like Hapa and Japango in downtown and Sushi Zanmai and Sushi Hana on University Hill.

Split a roll

💰 Longmont will receive a $4 million grant from the state to support construction of a downtown transit hub at First Avenue and Main Street. (Times-Call 🔑)

🚧 The Erie Lake dam is set to undergo repairs aimed at stopping seepage discovered in 2022. (Daily Camera 🔑)

🔫 State lawmakers moved closer to banning 3-D printed firearms and more tightly regulating the sale of gun barrels Monday morning. (Denver Post 🔑)

🇮🇷 Colorado's congressional delegation expressed strong reactions to the attack on Iran, with Democrats calling for a vote on a war powers resolution and Republicans saying the attack was necessary. (DenverPost 🔑)

• Meanwhile, experts predict Colorado gasoline prices could start climbing quickly if the war in Iran lasts for a while. (DenverPost 🔑)

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia are competing to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, the party announced Monday.

Why it matters: The city selected will become the center of the political universe for one week and experience a major economic boost.

Driving the news: Democratic Party leaders plan to visit the five finalists this spring to assess logistical and operational aspects of hosting such a large event.

• The evaluation includes the host city's commitment to Democratic values, as well as the ability to raise huge sums to produce the event.

By the numbers: The 2024 Democratic convention in Chicago generated $371 million in economic impact, the most ever for a political convention, organizers said.

What they're saying: Denver, which hosted the 2008 convention, said its turnaround story makes it a top contender.

• "We are a shining example of how to lead America forward by dreaming big and delivering bigger," Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement. "We're bringing down crime, reducing street homelessness and reinvesting in our neighborhoods."

What's next: The Democratic convention will take place Aug. 7-10, 2028.

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