U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette's iron grip on the Denver seat she's held for nearly three decades faces its most formidable challenge in years from progressive newcomer Melat Kiros.

Why it matters: Kiros, a democratic socialist, aims to unseat Colorado's longest-serving Congress member — a potential upset that could signal a broader progressive push to topple establishment Democrats nationwide.

State of play: DeGette has easily dispatched past primary challengers in Colorado's safely blue 1st Congressional District.

Yes, but: Kiros' rise is turning the race into a test case for incumbents facing an electorate increasingly hungry for change, experts tell us.

• Her message, grounded in affordability, is resonating with voters who are frustrated with politicians seen as prioritizing billionaires over everyday people, said Wynn Howell, state director of the progressive group Working Families Power.
• Younger voters in particular want to vote for a candidate they support rather than simply voting against President Trump, said Denae Avila-Dickson, a spokesperson for the youth climate advocacy group Sunrise Movement, which endorsed Kiros last month.
• Casting an opposition vote alone is not "exciting or compelling," Avila-Dickson adds.

The intrigue: DeGette — whose time in Congress exceeds Kiros' age — previously told Axios the Democratic Party needs "fresh blood."

• Still, Howell and other experts we spoke to say this race isn't about age.
• It's "more about ideas and approach," Howell added, noting the ideological alignment between 84-year-old Bernie Sanders and 28-year-old Kiros.

Between the lines: Kiros secured a top slot in the June primary by earning more than twice as many votes as DeGette at last week's district assembly.

• "I promise to be present in this community, not just at election time," Kiros said during last week's nomination process.

Reality check: Assembly voters tend to be the most politically engaged — not necessarily representative of the district's more than 700,000 residents.

• Still, local Democratic strategist Alvina Vasquez said DeGette, a 15-term congresswoman, may have grown complacent, leading to last week's results.

The other side: Not everyone is convinced Kiros poses a serious threat, or that her policies will resonate broadly.

• Prominent local attorney Doug Friednash wrote in an opinion column, saying that Kiros' record is "extreme and radical," and out of step with Colorado Democrats.

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Colorado's dry winter and early spring could drive more bears into Front Range neighborhoods as they emerge from hibernation and search for food.

Why it matters: Wildlife experts say drought can shrink natural food supplies, increasing the chances of encounters that put both people and wildlife at risk.

Driving the news: Bears are waking up for the season now, with mothers and cubs expected to begin exploring over the next two months, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).

State of play: Colorado is coming off a historically dry winter — and what happens next could shape bear behavior.

• CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose told Axios it is unclear how the warm winter will influence bear activity.
• So far, the impact has been limited. But if drought persists, it could limit the natural food they rely on.

By the numbers: CPW tallied 5,299 bear sighting reports last year, about a 15% increase over the previous six years, Van Hoose told us.

• A total of 1,062 calls came into CPW's Northeast region in 2025, which includes much of the Denver metro.

Be smart: Those in areas with bear activity should:

• Lock up their trash.
• Secure feeders.
• Pick up fruit.
• Keep small pets inside

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🥵 Last month was the hottest March on record for Denver, with average temperatures creeping to 51.6 degrees — nearly 10 degrees hotter than usual. (Denver Post 🔑)

🏉 The inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup will debut at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on July 4, with the U.S. playing Portugal and Zimbabwe facing Tonga. (Denverite)

💰 The Joint Budget Committee yesterday completed a draft of the state budget addressing a roughly $1.5 billion shortfall, including a reduction to Medicaid reimbursement rates. (Colorado Sun and CPR)

⬇️ Democrat Trisha Calvarese announced on Tuesday that she ended her primary bid in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, Esteban reports.

Dine-in customers at Snooze Eatery can mention the "gas price promo" through tomorrow to get a discount equal to the average gas price in their state.

• In Colorado, that's $3.91, according to Snooze, which set the discount for the full promo period.

Zoom in: In metro Denver, the average price of gas per gallon stood at $3.78 in this month, GasBuddy data shows.

By the numbers: Snooze has 14 locations across Colorado, including six in Denver.