Pueblo Progressive Wins Top Ballot Spot in Colorado Senate Primary

State Sen. Julie Gonzales defeats incumbent John Hickenlooper at Democratic assembly

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:51pm

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State Sen. Julie Gonzales won a decisive victory at the Colorado Democratic assembly in Pueblo, capturing around 74% of delegate votes and securing the top line on the June 30 primary ballot. Gonzales, a Denver progressive, will now face off against incumbent U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, who secured his spot on the ballot by gathering petition signatures.

Why it matters

Gonzales' assembly triumph gives her an early organizational boost, but Hickenlooper's petition success and fundraising edge provide key structural advantages. The next few months will show whether Gonzales' fired-up activist base can translate into broad voter support against the incumbent.

The details

At the packed Pueblo Memorial Hall, Gonzales drew a standing ovation from delegates after capturing about 74% of the roughly 1,500 votes. In her speech, she pledged to back abolishing ICE and push for universal housing, child care, and elder care. Hickenlooper, meanwhile, skipped the assembly and secured his ballot spot by gathering 14,905 valid petition signatures across Colorado's eight congressional districts.

  • The Colorado Democratic assembly was held on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • The Colorado primary election is scheduled for June 30, 2026.

The players

Julie Gonzales

A state senator from Denver and progressive Democrat who won the top ballot line at the Colorado Democratic assembly.

John Hickenlooper

The incumbent U.S. senator and former Colorado governor who secured his spot on the June 30 primary ballot by gathering petition signatures.

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What they’re saying

“You don't have to tell me about long odds, I've been a brown woman all my life.”

— Julie Gonzales, State Senator

What’s next

The June 30 primary election will determine the Democratic nominee to face the Republican candidate in the November general election for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat.

The takeaway

Gonzales' assembly victory gives her a boost among party activists, but Hickenlooper's petition success and fundraising edge provide structural advantages. The next few months will show whether Gonzales can translate her grassroots momentum into broad voter support to unseat the incumbent senator.