Colorado progressives flexed their muscle in yesterday's Democratic primary, scoring marquee wins up and down the ballot.

Why it matters: The results suggest Colorado Democrats aren't just rebuking President Trump — they're increasingly demanding a more confrontational brand of politics.

The big picture: Colorado is the latest sign of a national leftward pull in the midterm elections, where incumbents — often better funded — have struggled to hold ground.

Here are three takeaways from the results:

1. Progressives make a statement. Candidates who pushed against the status quo racked up victories and kept races closer than expected.

• In Denver's 1st Congressional District, 29-year incumbent Diana DeGette lost to a 29-year-old democratic socialist, Melat Kiros. The first-time candidate held a solid lead, and the AP called the race just after 10pm.
• In the secretary of state race, the Democrat recommended by the local democratic socialist chapter, Amanda Gonzalez, handily defeated veteran state Sen. Jessie Danielson.

What they're saying: "It's time for somebody who's actually going to fight for the people [to] represent the people," Aurora resident Matthew Donohue, 30, told Axios at Kiros' watch party.

Even where progressives fell short, they showed force.

• U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper won the Democratic nomination by a double-digit margin, but state Sen. Julie Gonzales essentially tied him in Denver — the state's Democratic bastion — while taking 43% of the vote overall.

2. Anti-Washington sentiment gets loud. DeGette, Hickenlooper and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet all suffered from voter vitriol over how to combat Trump and broader Washington dysfunction.

• In a stunning upset, Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated Bennet, 55% to 45%, for the Democratic nomination for governor.

What they're saying: "There is an undercurrent that we don't recognize, the pain and the anger that people are feeling, and they've taken it out on the establishment," Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie told Axios.

3. Young people showed up. Early turnout showed voters ages 18–34 cast ballots that surpassed or matched older age groups.

What they're saying: "You have a bunch of 20-something leftists absolutely clobbering well-funded moderates," said Chris Nicholson, a Democratic political strategist.

Full story

The times are changing in Denver.

Why it matters: Kiros' win proves that anti-establishment victories in New York City can be replicated, increasing anxiety for other long-serving Democrats.

• In the deep-blue district, she's poised to become the first Black woman to represent Colorado in Congress and just the third woman to represent the district since 1972.

By the numbers: The primary attracted millions in outside spending, according to FEC filings. But despite DeGette's significant financial edge, Kiros prevailed.

• Justice Democrats' super PAC was Kiros' biggest backer, spending more than $500,000, followed by left-wing PAC American Priorities at $150,000.
• Pro-Choice Majority Action — which has ties to the Democratic Women's Caucus and, indirectly, AIPAC — was DeGette's biggest spender, putting more than $1.5 million behind the incumbent.

What they're saying: "You are the proof that the power of organized people beat the power of organized money," Kiros told supporters after the race was called.

• DeGette didn't concede last night, sharing a post on X about monitoring results.

What's next

Colorado voters used yesterday's primary to make a series of consequential choices that will shape the state's political future.

Zoom in: Two of the night's closely watched statewide contests were for attorney general and secretary of state.

Jena Griswold entered the Democratic primary for attorney general as the favorite — and delivered, overcoming criticism over her office's handling of an accidental voting system password leak and scrutiny of campaign claims about her record.

• The two-term secretary of state won the four-way race with about 46% of the vote when the AP called it, positioning Democrats to defend another statewide office this fall.
• She now faces Republican Michael Allen, the El Paso County district attorney and former Navy officer, who handily defeated David Willson in the GOP primary.

Meanwhile, Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez easily pushed past state Sen. Jessie Danielson in the Democratic primary for secretary of state, handing progressives a decisive win.

• If elected, Gonzalez would become the first Latina to serve as Colorado's secretary of state.
• She faces Republican James Wiley, who advanced unopposed.

The bottom line: The results set up two statewide races that will determine who oversees Colorado's justice system and elections through the end of the decade.

🇺🇸 Tina Peters met with President Trump in the Oval Office Monday. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that she visited to "thank me for getting her released from prison in Colorado," adding it was an "honor to have lunch with her." (Colorado Politics)

🗳️ Manny Rutinel won the Democratic nomination in Colorado's ultra-competitive 8th Congressional District, setting up a November showdown against Republican incumbent Gabe Evans for one of the nation's most competitive House seats. (Axios Denver)

🔥 Evacuations continue in Pueblo County as the Aspen Acres fire near Rye grows to 28,000 acres with more than 150 structures burned. (KOAA)

🏈 The Broncos will host 14 free and open training camp practices this summer. Tickets go on sale at 10am today. (9News)

🍦 The ultra-popular Sadboy Creamery is opening its first brick-and-mortar shop off East Colfax Avenue, aiming for a September debut. (Westword)

Enough hard politics. Here's some soft news.

A pair of orphaned grizzly bear cubs is getting a second chance at Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Why it matters: At 6 months old, they're the youngest grizzlies the zoo has cared for and its first orphaned cubs in over 20 years.

The bottom line: These are winners we can all agree on.

More on the cubs