EXCLUSIVE: Democrats poised for expensive primary in Colorado

THE LOWDOWN:

• The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released its 2026 target list, and freshman Rep. Gabe Evans (R., Colo.) is squarely on it, to no one’s surprise.

• Last year, Evans ousted former Rep. Yadira Caraveo by under one percent, and Caraveo is expected by many to mount a comeback attempt.

• Inside Elections noted that “Caraveo may be angling for a rematch, but not all Democrats are happy about that prospect, and the party could face a contentious primary.”

• Unfortunately for Caraveo, Democratic state Rep. Manny Rutinel is already in the race, and he raised an impressive $1 million already. However, Rutinel’s campaign finance records suggest there’s already a slowdown in enthusiasm for him, which could open the door for Caraveo.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released its 2026 target list, and freshman Rep. Gabe Evans (R., Colo.) is squarely on it, to no one’s surprise. However, Democrats are poised for a messy primary that could help Evans win next year, regardless of who his opponent ends up being.

Last year, Evans ousted former Rep. Yadira Caraveo by under one percent, and Caraveo is expected by many to mount a comeback attempt. In her first interview following her loss, she said that her “voice, especially now, given that I've had my own healthcare struggles, may be needed.”

Inside Elections noted that “Caraveo may be angling for a rematch, but not all Democrats are happy about that prospect, and the party could face a contentious primary.”

Unfortunately for Caraveo, Democratic state Rep. Manny Rutinel is already in the race, and he raised an impressive $1 million already. However, Rutinel’s campaign finance records suggest there’s already a slowdown in enthusiasm for him, which could open the door for Caraveo. Rutinel raised around $400,000 in his first 24 hours, got to $500,000 within around 48 hours, and then took about two weeks to get to reach $1 million.

Whether Democrats nominate Caraveo, Rutinel, or someone else to face Evans, they will be in for a battle against the incumbent, who has already done introduced 6 bills, the majority of which are bipartisan. It took Caraveo until September of her first year to reach that mark. Evans’s legislation has covered topics ranging from supporting veterans to tackling sanctuary state policies to protecting Medicaid to helping American jobs.

“Congressman Evans has really hit the ground running,” Delanie Bomar, Evans’s Deputy Chief of Staff, told the Washington Reporter. “Any Democrat that dares to challenge Gabe Evans is facing the impossible challenge of trying to keep up with him.”

From Evans’s standpoint, both Rutinel and Caraveo have unique weaknesses. In the state legislature, Rutinel recently voted for legislation that would strip parents’ rights if they use gender-affirming language with their children, and Caraveo’s one term in Congress would give the freshman plenty to litigate as well.

During her time in D.C., Caraveo staked out terrain firmly to the left on issues ranging from immigration to energy policy. She called on the Biden administration to loosen immigration rules, opposed legislation to secure the border, and voted against legislation to lower energy costs. Her office was also marked by unusually high staff turnover.

Evans could also hone in on Caraveo’s time as a state legislator too; she introduced a law during her tenure in the State House that has been linked to the increase of fentanyl deaths in Denver.