🗳️ Kiros defeats DeGette. Weiser defeats Bennet.

🗳️ Primary Election Results Are In!

The results from yesterday's primaries, including the surprisingly close CD1 congressional race, are officially here – preliminary results at least (as of midnight last night, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website). We dig into the Kiros and Weiser victories, as well as all the other interesting races to watch, on today's podcast episode.

Here’s a breakdown of the topline results, with checkmarks next to the winners we can confidently call:

• Democratic Primary, Governor

✅ Phil Weiser: 55.66% (403,918)

🔵 Michael Bennet: 44.34% (321,821)

• Republican Primary, Governor

🔴 Barb Kirkmeyer: 40.22% (182,834)

🔴 Victor Marx: 39.43% (179,227)

🔴 Scott Bottoms: 20.35% (92,504)

• Democratic Primary, U.S. House, 1st Congressional District

✅ Melat Kiros: 51.31% (67,959)

🔵 Diana DeGette: 41.66% (55,179)

🔵 Wanda James: 7.02% (9,297)

• Democratic Primary, Attorney General

✅ Jena Griswold: 45.94% (327,382)

🔵 Michael Dougherty: 19.8% (141,100)

🔵 David Seligman: 18.13% (129,199)

🔵 Hetal Doshi: 16.13% (114,966)

• Republican Primary, Attorney General

✅ Michael J. Allen: 60.29% (251,776)

🔴 David Willson: 39.71% (165,823)

• Democratic Primary, U.S. Senate

✅ John Hickenlooper: 55.46% (404,936)

🔵 Julie Gonzales: 44.54% (325.248)

• Democratic Primary, U.S. House, 8th Congressional District

✅ Manny Rutinel: 61.54% (43,429)

🔵 Shannon Bird: 33.72% (23,799)

🔥 Wildfire Smoke Reaches Denver

Smoke from several wildfires in western Colorado and Utah has drifted into the Denver area, leading to unhealthy air quality. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning of elevated ozone pollution, which can pose health risks, especially for sensitive groups. [Denverite]

• What can you do about it? People who are more susceptible to smoke are encouraged to limit outdoor activity and remain indoors when possible.

📱 Prison Wardens Placed on Leave Over Derogatory Texts

According to a new report in the Denver Post, the Colorado Department of Corrections recently concluded a 15-month internal investigation into racist, homophobic, transphobic, and otherwise offensive texts in a group chat between multiple current and former Colorado prison wardens (and one of the former warden’s sons). For the first time, newly revealed documents from the investigation confirm that these offensive texts are the reason why three officers were placed on paid administrative leave last year. As a result of the investigation, some officers remain on leave while others were demoted or reassigned to different facilities. [The Denver Post]

🅿️ Brace for More Parking Tickets

The city is beefing up its parking enforcement staff and rolling out a new online ticket review system, with the hope of helping to close the city’s budget gap this year. The new system is expected to reduce the time officers spend in court contesting tickets, allowing for more time in the field. [Axios Denver]

🚭 Ban on Flavored Tobacco Holds Up

After Denver voters approved a ban on flavored tobacco sales last November, local vape shop owners brought a lawsuit arguing that the ban is unconstitutional in a variety of ways. A Denver District Court judge dismissed their case earlier this week. Supporters of the ban applauded the ruling, calling it "a clear message that communities have the authority to stand up to the tobacco industry." [Denver Gazette]