Colorado voters turned out in historic numbers on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, delivering a series of defining victories for the state’s progressive and pro-LGBTQ+ movement. In a night marked by high voter engagement and historic shifts, current Attorney General Phil Weiser secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while a stunning progressive upset in Denver signaled a major shift in the state’s political landscape.
Weiser Clinches Pivotal Gubernatorial Nomination
In the most closely watched race of the night, two-term Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated three-term U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to win the Democratic nomination for governor. The Associated Press called the race just before 8:00 p.m., with Weiser capturing 55% of the vote to Bennet’s 45%.
The race centered on the future direction of Colorado’s executive office. Throughout his campaign, Weiser leaned heavily on his record as attorney general, where he consistently used his office to protect reproductive freedom, safeguard gender-affirming healthcare, and aggressively defend the civil rights of LGBTQ+ residents against right-wing legal challenges.
Addressing an energetic crowd at his Denver watch party, Weiser framed his victory as a win for collective advancement. “Tonight, Colorado chose a forward-looking vision built on community, equity, and a fierce dedication to protecting every individual’s fundamental rights,” Weiser said during his victory speech. “We have shown that our state will not back down when it comes to defending civil rights, bodily autonomy, and equal protection under the law.”
Weiser will face Republican nominee Barb Kirkmeyer, a conservative state senator who advanced out of a fractured three-way Republican primary, defeating far-right State Representative Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx.
Kiros Defeats DeGette
The biggest shockwave of the night occurred in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, where 29-year-old Democratic socialist Melat Kiros scored an unprecedented upset over 15-term incumbent U.S. Representative Diana DeGette. The Associated Press called the race late Tuesday night, with Kiros leading by nearly six percentage points.
Kiros, a former corporate attorney who immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia as an infant, ran a grassroots campaign heavily focused on systemic equality, economic justice, and intersectional advocacy for working people and marginalized groups.
At her crowded campaign watch party at The Broadway, packed with millennial and Gen Z organizers, Kiros’ victory sparked roaring celebrations. Supporters emphasized that her win underscores an appetite for a bolder, unapologetic progressive lens in Washington.
“Our campaign was fueled by the belief that a better, more inclusive world is possible when we organize from the ground up,” Kiros told supporters as results solidified. “This victory belongs to the working people, renters, and diverse communities of Denver who demand a system that puts people over profit and equality over institutional inertia.”
Hickenlooper Fends Off Challenge from Gonzales, Griswold Advances
In the U.S. Senate Democratic primary, incumbent John Hickenlooper narrowly fended off a formidable progressive challenge from State Senator Julie Gonzales, a leading advocate for immigrant rights and intersectional justice. Hickenlooper secured the nomination with 57% of the vote to Gonzales’s 43%. Despite the loss, Gonzales’s robust performance highlighted the profound influence of progressive organizing across the state
Further cementing the progressive ticket, current Secretary of State Jena Griswold emerged victorious from a highly competitive four-way primary to win the Democratic nomination for Attorney General. Griswold, who has a long national profile as a defender of voting rights and democracy, campaigned on a promise to expand the civil rights division of the office and aggressively protect LGBTQ+ protections and reproductive healthcare access.
Down-Ballot Run-Down and Looking Ahead to November
In other key congressional races across the state:
3rd Congressional District: Democrat Dwayne Romero comfortably defeated Alex Kelloff. Romero will advance to a high-stakes general election match-up against Republican incumbent Jeff Hurd.
5th Congressional District: Progressive candidate Jessica Killin claimed a decisive victory in El Paso County, moving forward as the Democratic nominee in Colorado Springs.
8th Congressional District: In a critical toss-up district, Manny Rutinel held a late-night lead over Shannon Bird for the Democratic nomination.
The primary results occur against a somber backdrop, as multiple wildfires continue to burn across Colorado. The fires claimed the lives of three firefighters over the weekend, a tragedy referenced by several candidates who praised first responders and called for urgent climate action as part of their platforms.
With the primary concluded, Colorado progressives and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are shifting their focus to the general election. The resounding success of advocates for civil rights, gender-affirming healthcare, and economic justice sets the stage for a high-contrast November election, where Colorado voters will choose between expanding their status as a haven for progressive values or a shift toward conservative policy.
