While politics separate Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo from her Republican challenger state Rep. Gabe Evans, the two are linked by a common Mexican heritage.

Why it matters: It's the first time in Colorado history two competing major-party candidates running for Congress are Latino — a dynamic that experts tell Axios could play a role in a district with the state's largest share of Hispanic voters.

Context: Caraveo's family immigrated from Chihuahua, and Evans has publicly spoken about his Mexican grandfather, who earned U.S. citizenship after serving in the military during World War II.

• Their backgrounds are likely to draw more voters who are "excited" about an already competitive race, Robert Preuhs, a political science professor at Metro State University, tells Axios.

State of play: Latinos were instrumental in Caraveo's narrow 2022 win to represent the suburban Denver seat, and will again play a major role as advocacy groups intend to lure voters to the polls over issues like abortion.

• Polling shows a majority of Latinos in Colorado support the right to an abortion.

What we're watching: Danny Friedman, a national director for campaigns and programs at Mi Familia Vota, a nonprofit civic advocacy organization, says Latinos in the district will likely see increased voter outreach, which could translate to higher engagement.

• "Essentially, you get slightly larger voter turnout among Latinos or African Americans when a Latino or African American, respectively, is running for office," Preuhs says.

The intrigue: Evans tells us he knows enough Spanish to carry brief conversations, while Caraveo is fluent, something Preuhs says can give her an edge.

• Caraveo recently released her first Spanish-language TV ad, while Evans, a former Arvada Police officer, focused on the border in his debut ad.

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Coloradans are less lonely than the national average, per the latest vibe check from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Why it matters: Feelings of isolation and loneliness are a real public health threat — increasing the risk of developing ailments like heart disease, anxiety, depression and early death, per the CDC.

By the numbers: About 38% of Coloradans said they felt lonely at least some of the time, the newest Household Pulse Survey (HPS) shows.

• That's lower than the national average of roughly 40%.

Between the lines: Loneliness could be linked to weather patterns. With Colorado seeing sunny skies for more than two-thirds of the year, we may feel more upbeat compared to gloomier states.

The bottom line: Getting out there and making some connections can do wonders for your mental health.

Go deeper: How to make friends as an adult in Denver

An 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix to wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the third quarter is the most offense the Denver Broncos could muster Sunday, but it proved enough.

State of play: The Broncos defeated the New York Jets on the road, 10-9. A 47-yard field goal with 8:55 left in the game sealed the victory.

• The sloppy play in the rain and a miserable first half left little to cheer except a defense that kept the team in the hunt.

Fun fact: The touchdown pass is the first for Nix in his NFL career.

👮‍♂️ Former RTD police chief Joel Fitzgerald was fired, state records show, a fact the transit agency has yet to share with the public. (CBS4)

⛷️ Vail Resorts is laying off 14% of its corporate staff amid a slump in visitors and snowfall. The move is estimated to save the Broomfield-based company $100 million over the next two years. (CPR)

🚩 Employees at the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley say they are facing dangerous working conditions, wage theft and alleged human trafficking. The UFCW union is now calling for state and federal investigations into abusive practices at the facility. (CPR)

🌮 Colorado's best taco spot is Tacos Aya Yay, a small strip-mall restaurant in Lafayette, according to Yelp. (Westword)

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Charlie Blackmon ended his 14-year career with the Colorado Rockies with an emotional farewell speech and a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at Coors Field.

Yes, but: In the final game of the season, the Rockies lost in Rockies fashion when a balk by the pitcher sent home the Dodgers go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

• The Rockies finished with their second straight 100-loss season and a record of 61-101.