The Colorado Republican Party gathered over the weekend to energize loyalists and name its candidates to challenge the state's dominant Democratic Party.

Why it matters: The GOP faces a bleak 2026 election cycle in Colorado, where Democrats hold every statewide office.

The latest: Saturday's GOP assembly in Pueblo provided an opportunity to unite its members, but instead, party activists backed some extreme conservative candidates — ones who have little chance of winning in November.

This dynamic is most obvious in the governor's race, where two far-right pastors, state Rep. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx, secured slots on the June primary ballot with 45% and 39%, respectively. Meanwhile, 16 other contenders failed to get enough support.

• Bottoms has promised to work closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on deportations and to slash the size of government with a DOGE-like approach, the Colorado Sun reported.
• Marx, a first-time candidate and Marine veteran, pledged to free former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from prison on "Day 1," despite her nine-year sentence for election tampering, CPR reported.

The fine print: Those two candidates are likely to face a more moderate rival, state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, in the June primary.

• Kirkmeyer skipped the assembly nominating process and submitted voter signatures in an attempt to qualify for the race.

The big picture: The Republican Party starts its campaign with a substantial deficit for myriad reasons.

• Party chair Brita Horn announced her resignation in March — a year before her term expires — after two no-confidence votes from the party's governing board. Her departure is effective Friday.
• The party's federal campaign account owes more than it collected through February, with $164,000 in debts, records show. For comparison, the Democratic Party's federal account holds $263,000.

Go deeper

Amid the chaos, the state Republican Party picked its contenders for the 2026 primary over the weekend.

Here's where things stand:

✅ State Sen. Mark Baisley emerged as the lone candidate in the U.S. Senate race after receiving 46% of the vote, far more than his six other challengers.

• He will take on the Democratic primary winner, either incumbent John Hickenlooper or rival Julie Gonzales.

✅ From a field of 18 gubernatorial candidates, ultra-conservative state Rep. Scott Bottoms and first-time candidate Victor Marx were the only two to qualify for the ballot.

• They are expected to meet state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer in the June primary election.

✅ El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen and Denver attorney David Wilson emerged as the top two candidates for attorney general, respectively taking 64% and 36% of the assembly vote.

✅ Former executive director of the Libertarian Party of Colorado, James Wiley, who opposes early voting and mail ballots, is the sole Republican candidate for secretary of state.

• He collected 71% of the delegate vote.

✅ Kevin Grantham, the former state Senate president who is now a Fremont County commissioner, ran unopposed for state treasurer.

• He will face Democratic state Sen. Jeff Bridges in November.

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The ownership group behind the Denver Broncos, Penner Sports Group, is joining the Colorado Rockies as minority partners.

Why it matters: The deal links two of Denver's biggest teams — and, through family and ownership ties, effectively connects all four major pro franchises — concentrating influence over the city's sports landscape.

State of play: The Broncos ownership group, led by Greg and Carrie Penner, purchased a 40% stake in the Colorado Rockies, per the Denver Post.

• Officially approved by the league, the deal makes Penner Sports Group the team's largest minority owners, according to MLB.com.
• The Monfort family, led by Rockies owner and CEO Dick Monfort and owner/general partner Charlie Monfort, will remain the club's majority owners.

Between the lines: Avalanche and Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke is married to Ann Walton Kroenke, whose cousin Rob Walton is a co-owner of the Denver Broncos.

Friction point: Fans have long clamored for the Montforts to sell the team as losses pile.

• The Rockies have lost more than 100 games each season since 2023.

What we're watching: Whether the financial infusion from the Broncos can trigger on-field success.

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💰 The state legislature is considering withholding an estimated $12.3 million raised in marijuana sales tax from local government over the next two years. (Westword)

🍝 More Denver restaurants are turning to late-night hours to help their businesses stay afloat amid rising operational and labor costs. (DBJ 🔑)

🛒 Nearly 9,000 Coloradans will see SNAP benefits cut starting May 1 due to the "One Big Beautiful Bill," with Arapahoe County losing the largest share in the state. (9News)

⚽️ The Colorado Rapids say they've sold over 60,000 tickets for Saturday's 30th club anniversary game at Empower Field against Inter Miami, Esteban reports.

🐢 The Denver Downtown Aquarium is celebrating the recent hatchlings of its Chinese Stripe-Necked Turtles, which are critically endangered. (FOX31)

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The University of Denver men's hockey team claimed its 11th national championship — a new record — on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Wisconsin at the Frozen Four in Las Vegas.

What they're saying: "You don't have to be big in hockey to be good," coach David Carle told reporters after the dramatic win.

• "You have to invest and you have to care and have the right people to do great things. … In college athletics, I think a place like Denver should really be celebrated."