This story by Sara Wilson appeared on Colorado Newsline on October 1, 2024.
Independent expenditure committees are pouring money into a handful of competitive Colorado legislative races ahead of November’s election, which will determine the size of Democrats’ majorities in the state House and Senate.
Those committees reported spending over $1 million during the most recent reporting period between September 12 and September 25.
A big chunk of that money went towards supporting Republican candidates in competitive seats. New Day Colorado reported spending about $330,000 to support House candidates such as former state lawmaker Dan Woog in House District 19, Rebecca Keltie in House District 16 and George Mumma in House District 25. The committee, through its associated 527 political organization, received donations from Phillips 66, Colorado Concern and various insurance agencies during the reporting period.
The Senate Majority Fund, which aims to regain a Republican majority in the state Senate, spent about $300,000 supporting Republican Senate candidates including Sen. Cleave Simpson in Senate District 6, Scott Bright in Senate District 13 and Rep. Marc Catlin in Senate District 5. The 527 arm of the committee received $75,000 from the Sports Betting Alliance and a $1.3 million donation from the Republican-aligned GOPAC, which was founded by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Americans for Prosperity Action, which is financially backed by Charles and David Koch, spent about $34,000 supporting Bright, Woof and El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf in Senate District 12.
There is also big spending for Democrats.
All Together Colorado reported spending about $145,000 to support state Rep. Marc Snyder and Glenwood Springs businessman Cole Buerger, two Democrats running for Senate. The committee also spent $15,000 in digital advertising against VanderWerf, who is running against Snyder in Senate District 12.
Colorado Way Forward, another state-level group, reported spending over $200,000 to support Democratic House candidates including Rep. Steph Vigil of Colorado Springs, Rep. Tammy Story of Evergreen, Rep. Tish Mauro of Pueblo and Rep. Mary Young of Greeley. Those lawmakers represent some of the most competitive districts in the state, where Republicans hope to flip the seats.
Both Colorado Way Forward and All Together Colorado reported $200,000 in donations from Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado Way Forward also received money during the reporting period from the political arm of the Environmental Defense Fund, Colorado Beer Distributors Association and the pharmaceutical industry trade association.
Democrats currently hold a 46-19 majority in the House and 23-12 majority in the Senate. That means they can only lose two seats in the House to keep their supermajority, and are one seat shy of that threshold in the Senate.
If the party’s majority expands next year, they would have more power to override vetoes from Governor Jared Polis and refer certain measures to voters.
County clerks will begin mailing ballots to voters on October 11. Election Day is November 5.