Colorado Congressional Fundraising Heats Up Ahead of Primaries

As the 2026 election season heats up, Colorado's congressional candidates have reported their fundraising numbers for the first quarter, with incumbents showing a formidable advantage. Notably, GOP Rep. Gabe Evans has amassed a staggering $1.2 million in the first quarter, solidifying his position in the competitive 8th Congressional District.

Evans, who narrowly won his seat in the last election, ended March with over $3.4 million cash on hand, significantly outpacing the totals of his Democratic challengers. With no primary opponent in sight, Evans can focus his resources on the general election following the Democratic primary on June 30, 2026. "I’m grateful for the outpouring of support from Coloradans who are ready to keep fighting for safer communities, a stronger economy and a more secure future," Evans said in a statement.

In the race to unseat him, State Rep. Manny Rutinel has emerged as a strong contender, raising more than $952,000 during the quarter, primarily from individual contributions. Rutinel's fundraising efforts have left him with over $1.76 million in cash on hand, a substantial amount that could bolster his campaign as he heads into the primary.

Also in the mix is former state Rep. Shannon Bird, who reported nearly $567,000 in fundraising, bringing her cash on hand to just over $1 million. Meanwhile, Marine veteran Evan Munsing, the third Democrat in the race, raised $115,000 but spent nearly double that amount, leaving him with only $108,000 cash on hand by the end of March. Collectively, the candidates in Colorado's 8th District have raised over $2.8 million, with Evans holding more than half of that total.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate race, incumbent John Hickenlooper is also showing strength. He raised nearly $1.4 million in the first quarter, which includes almost $1 million from individual contributions and $104,000 from PACs. Hickenlooper, who is facing a primary challenge from State Sen. Julie Gonzales, enters the primary season with a hefty $4 million in cash.

Gonzales, on the other hand, raised just under $265,000 and has approximately $114,000 cash on hand. Acknowledging her campaign's financial challenges, Gonzales stated, "We are living paycheck to paycheck," but she remains optimistic, having reportedly raised $130,000 in the first week of April after the reporting period.

In Denver's 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette is facing a competitive primary with two challengers: CU Regent Wanda James and Melat Kiros. DeGette raised more than $263,000 last quarter, bringing her cash on hand to $636,000. Kiros, who previously defeated DeGette in an assembly vote, raised over $174,000 but still trails DeGette in available funds.

James, on the other hand, reported raising just over $72,000, which is a decrease from her previous totals, leaving her with about $54,000 cash on hand. As DeGette navigates this challenging primary, her incumbency and fundraising prowess will be put to the test.

In the 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert faces a formidable challenge from retired Admiral Eileen Laubacher, who raised over $2.1 million in her bid to flip the state’s most conservative district. Laubacher's impressive haul includes more than $1.4 million from small donors, giving her a cash on hand total of nearly $3.1 million. In stark comparison, Boebert raised just under $90,000 in the same period, ending the quarter with only about $160,000 cash on hand.

In the 5th Congressional District, Democratic challenger Jessica Killin has also outpaced her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank. Killin raised just under $670,000, though $250,000 came from her own loan to the campaign. In comparison, Crank reported raising just over $345,000, with a cash on hand total of $1.16 million.

As the fundraising race intensifies, Colorado's congressional candidates are not just competing for financial support but also for the attention of voters. The financial dynamics signal a shift in the political climate, with Democrats actively targeting traditionally Republican-held districts.

Among the other incumbents, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow reported his largest quarterly fundraising total to date, raising nearly $940,000 and ending the quarter with over $2.5 million cash on hand. Similarly, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse raised $381,000, bringing his cash on hand to just under $3 million. U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen also demonstrated solid fundraising, with $270,000 raised and over $900,000 cash on hand.

The upcoming primaries will be a decisive factor in shaping the general election matchups, and candidates will need to leverage their fundraising advantages to connect with voters. As the political atmosphere in Colorado continues to evolve, the implications of these fundraising reports will resonate through the summer and into the fall.

With the primaries fast approaching, candidates will be looking to capitalize on their financial advantages to secure their positions for the November elections, making the next few months a thrilling period in Colorado politics.