Democratic Socialists Target Colorado House Primary After New York City Wins

After recent victories by democratic socialists in New York City primaries, the movement is turning its focus to Colorado. Attorney Melat Kiros, 29, is challenging incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District seat. Kiros, who was dismissed from a law firm after criticizing her employer’s response to pro‑Palestinian protests, said she hopes to harness voter anger, stating, “Ultimately, folks are really tired of the party failing to meaningfully represent the values and policies that are extremely popular with our base.”

Kiros has secured an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders and support from progressive groups. DeGette, a longtime member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, counters that she will continue to defend reproductive freedom, abolition of ICE and Medicare for All, declaring, “Denver knows I don’t back down. That’s why I’m taking on Donald Trump….” Both candidates position themselves as progressive, but the race reflects a broader intra‑party contest, as Colorado’s governor and Senate primaries also feature progressive challengers to establishment incumbents.

The Colorado primary thus serves as a bellwether for the momentum of democratic socialist candidates seeking to expand their influence beyond New York.