Colorado voters approved open primaries in 2016 when Proposition 108 passed, allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in either major party’s primary. Last month, a Denver judge rejected an effort by Republican candidates, including CD3 challenger Ron Hanks, to block unaffiliated voters from voting in this year’s primary – an effort opposed by incumbent Rep. Jeff Hurd.

The ruling preserves access for Colorado’s largest voting bloc. Of the state’s nearly 4 million registered voters, 53% are unaffiliated, compared with 25% Democrats and 22% Republicans. Excluding them from the primary process would deny participation to more than half Colorado’s electorate.

Ballots will be mailed June 8 for Colorado’s June 30 primary election.

U.S. Senate – Democratic Party Primary

Julie Gonzales was elected to the state Senate in 2018, returned in 2022, and served as majority whip. She has chaired the judiciary committee, been vice chair of local government and housing, and serves on appropriations.

A Yale graduate with longtime Colorado roots, Gonzales, 43, grew up partly in Arizona on her family’s ranch.

She has worked to defend immigrant protections and abortion rights and to end the death penalty. She faults incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper for insufficient advocacy on public lands and climate, and for accepting corporate campaign funding.

Hickenlooper has described himself as a failed geologist who went on to cofound one of Denver’s first brewpubs before serving as Denver mayor (2003–2011) and Colorado governor (2011–2019). He helped create the state’s water plan, advocated for Ute Mountain Ute economic, water and broadband priorities, and worked on gun safety legislation.

Hickenlooper is more inclined to work thoughtfully behind the scenes than to raise his voice from the Senate lectern.

While Julie Gonzales has built a formidable record and clearly knows Coloradans’ needs, advancing incumbent John Hickenlooper to November would be best for the state. Colorado hasn’t heard the last of her – she has the talent and experience to one day serve in higher office.

Republicans will advance state Sen. Mark Baisley of Woodland Park to November without a contested primary.

Congressional District 3 – Democratic Party Primary

Alex Kelloff is a business owner with more than three decades of experience in telecommunications and infrastructure development. He spent much of the past year traveling the district, emphasizing affordability, rural economic development, health care access and public lands. Kelloff has highlighted his family’s roots in the San Luis Valley and earned endorsements from former Congressman John Salazar and current state Rep. Katie Stewart.

Dwayne Romero is a West Point graduate, Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient who served as Colorado’s economic development director under then-Gov. John Hickenlooper and in several local elected roles. Romero has centered his campaign on affordability, public lands, water, health care and support for rural communities.

Both candidates have focused on issues that matter to Western and Southern Colorado. Kelloff’s background in infrastructure and economic development offers a thoughtful perspective on the district’s challenges. Romero, however, brings a broader record of public service, military leadership and community involvement. His experience in state government, local elected office and business gives him a deeper understanding of rural Colorado and the practical realities of governing. Advancing Romero to November would give Democrats their strongest candidate in the general election. Kelloff has run a serious campaign and demonstrated a genuine commitment to the district’s future.

Congressional District 3 – Republican Party Primary

Ron Hanks is a former state representative, military veteran and self-described America First conservative. He has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump and criticized Hurd for breaking with the Republican president on tariffs, public lands and a vote against censuring Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney elected in 2024, has demonstrated a willingness to depart from party orthodoxy when he believes it is warranted. He also opposed efforts to exclude unaffiliated voters from the primary process, drawing criticism from the Republican Party’s right flank.

While Hurd should continue demonstrating that independence – particularly by supporting Sen. Michael Bennet’s Public Lands Integrity Act and standing firm against efforts to sell public lands – advancing him to November is the better choice. Hanks’ challenge is rooted in a brand of politics that seeks to narrow participation rather than broaden it, a direction Colorado voters rejected when they approved open primaries nearly a decade ago.