Six Days, 26 Stops, 1,877 Miles: Colorado Democrats Wrap Up Statewide Tour

ARVADA - Colorado Democrats concluded their six-day "Our Future. Our Colorado." statewide bus tour Tuesday in Arvada, visiting 26 stops across 1,877 miles with voters and local organizers ahead of the November election.

The tour began Oct. 15 in Greeley and visited communities on the Eastern Plains, along the Front Range, in the mountains, on the Western Slope and in Southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley. County parties planned events around their communities, giving voters time to speak with candidates and help local teams recruit volunteers. The bus tour launched canvasses and get out the vote efforts for battleground races up and down the ballot.

The tour brought candidates to Denver's VFW Post 1, Frisco Historic Park and community gatherings across the state. Candidates joined volunteers for canvass launches in Aurora and Firestone and visited Happy Crew Coffee House in Lone Tree, which supports youth mental health programs. Local candidates and county organizers helped connect the statewide ticket with the communities they hope to serve.

Statewide and federal candidates also had an historic visit with Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribal leadership, listening to their priorities and asking for their support.

There was room for some fun along the way. Candidates met costumed dogs and their owners in Edwards and sampled chili prepared by local candidates at DemZest in Pueblo's Union Depot. At DemWest in Palisade, the program focused on protecting public lands and Colorado's outdoors.

"The bus is parked, but the work isn't done," Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib said. "Our ticket showed up everywhere, from the Front Range to the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains and the San Luis Valley, because every Coloradan deserves leaders who show up. Towns across this state welcomed us, brought out their neighbors and reminded us what's at stake. Now we carry that energy through Election Day to get our candidates across the finish line."

Participating statewide candidates included U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper; Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Democratic nominee for governor; Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor; Secretary of State Jena Griswold, the Democratic nominee for attorney general; state Sen. Jeff Bridges, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer; and Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez, the Democratic nominee for secretary of state.

"From Fort Morgan to Alamosa to Pueblo, so many fired-up Coloradans turned out this week. People know our Democracy, our economy, and our healthcare system are at stake this election," U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said. "They're ready to take back the Senate, flip four House seats in Colorado, and elect Democrats down the ballot."

"We showed up and listened - now, it's our responsibility to deliver," Attorney General and Democratic nominee for governor Phil Weiser said. "When someone takes the time to tell you about a problem in their life, you owe them more than a conversation. As governor, I'll carry the stories I heard with me every day as I work to deliver housing and health care we can afford, build a stronger economy and brighter future for the next generation, and protect our rights and freedoms."

"As a county commissioner, I know how much local leaders can teach us if we take the time to listen," Jefferson County Commissioner and Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor Lesley Dahlkemper said. "That's what made this trip so valuable. Attorney General Weiser and I want to work alongside these communities to solve problems, and those relationships need to continue long after Election Day."

"I grew up in a working class family that at times relied on food banks and food stamps. No community should wonder whether its leaders will fight for it," Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for attorney general Jena Griswold said. "As attorney general, I'll stand up for Coloradans across this state to protect our fundamental rights and take on the affordability crisis."

"Colorado's investments reflect our values," State Senator and Democratic nominee for state treasurer Jeff Bridges said. "I'll invest Colorado's dollars here in Colorado to make homes affordable for working families, lower utility bills, and build the infrastructure we need for a thriving economy across our entire state."

"The people who make our elections work are our neighbors. They're the people we see at the grocery store, on the hiking trail and at church, and they're the ones making sure every vote counts," Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and Democratic nominee for secretary of state Amanda Gonzalez said. "Traveling across Colorado this week was a great reminder that democracy is something we build together, right where we live."

U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse, Brittany Pettersen and Jason Crow; congressional nominees Melat Kiros in District 1 and Manny Rutinel in District 8; and former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer also joined the tour at different stops.

"This tour showed why it matters to visit communities of every size and hear directly from the people who call them home," U.S. Representative Joe Neguse said. "Those conversations cannot end when the bus pulls away. We have to carry them into the final weeks of this campaign and the work that follows."

"I grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, and I know how much it matters to have people fighting for you," U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen said. "That's why we're out here asking people to vote and help their neighbors do the same. With two weeks left, we have a chance to elect leaders who will make life more affordable and give our kids the opportunities they deserve."

"Across Colorado, we're seeing folks step up to defend their neighbors, stand up to this Administration, and fight for a future that works for working people," U.S. Representative Jason Crow said. "That kind of courage is contagious. We have to carry it through Election Day to elect servant leaders up and down the ballot who will lower costs, defend our democracy, and hold corruption to account."

"Working people should be able to afford a home and get health care without going into debt. We have the resources to make that possible. We need leaders willing to fight for it," Democratic nominee for Colorado's 1st Congressional District Melat Kiros said. "The organizing happening across Colorado is how we build a government that answers to the people who live and work here. I'm grateful to everyone for putting their time into that work."

"People deserve a representative who shows up and takes their concerns seriously," Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District Manny Rutinel said. "I'm grateful to everyone who joined us in Greeley and Firestone and gave their time to help elect Democrats. These next two weeks are our chance to turn those conversations into votes and bring working families the representation they deserve."

"I grew up in Holly, and I've never forgotten the talented people I knew who didn't get the opportunities they deserved," former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer said. "You ought to be able to build a good life in this state wherever you come from. I was glad to get back on the road with candidates willing to go out and earn people's confidence. Now we've got to help them win."

The tour included stops in the following communities:

• Thursday, Oct. 15: Greeley, Fort Morgan, Commerce City, Aurora and Highlands Ranch.

• Friday, Oct. 16: Denver, Frisco, Edwards, Glenwood Springs and Palisade for DemWest.

• Saturday, Oct. 17: Delta, Montrose, Telluride, Towaoc and Durango.

• Sunday, Oct. 18: Ignacio, Pagosa Springs, Alamosa, Walsenburg, Pueblo for DemZest and Colorado Springs.

• Monday, Oct. 19: Lone Tree, Firestone and Loveland.

• Tuesday, Oct. 20: Broomfield and Arvada.

The tour's next step is continued voter outreach through local parties and campaigns. Coloradans can sign up to volunteer at Coloradodems.org/win and find official voting information at Coloradodems.org/vote .

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