The Republican primary for U.S. Senate has attracted most of the media attention, but Denver-area Democrats have decisions to make today as well. The party's dominance locally means that these elections are essentially decided today, though the winner may still face an opponent in November.
There are also Republican primaries for state House and Senate races in the Denver metro area.
Three candidates, University of Colorado Regent Michael Carrigan, who also is a partner in the state's largest law firm, state Rep. Beth McCann and Senior Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Boyd, are competing to replace Denver DA Mitch Morrissey, who is term-limited.
The winner will face Chief Deputy District Attorney Helen Morgan, an independent, in November.
All three candidates have promised more transparency and accountability in police shootings of civilians and new approaches to deal with juveniles and people with mental health problems. The Denver Post lays out their positions here.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, who has represented Colorado's 1st Congressional District for 20 years, has a challenger from the left, a retired geologist and Bernie Sanders supporter named Chuck Norris.
For state Senate, voters in District 33, which takes in parts of northeast Denver out to DIA, can move state Rep. Angela Williams to the upper house or choose newcomer John Biggerstaff. Aurora voters in District 29 have a choice between Rhonda Fields and Su Ryden, both state representatives.
Democratic voters in District 4 in Douglas County have a choice between physician James Huff and businesswoman Christina Riegel, while Republicans have a three-way race between product manager Jess Loban, Benjamin Lyng, who works in banking, and employee benefits consultant Jim Smallwood.
Both parties are also on the ballot in District 31 in southeast Denver. Democrats have three candidates to choose from: non-profit director Erin Burnett, community college instructor and state Rep. Lois Court and physician Steve Sherick. On the Republican side, financial advisor Bob Lane is running against graduate student Jeffrey Washington.
There's a bunch of state House races too. A lot of these folks didn't return their questionnaires. You can decide how much weight to give that if you're voting in one of these races.
In District 3, filmmaker and former Greenwood Village City Council member Meg Froelich is running against Jeff Bridges to be the Democratic candidate, while Katy Brown and Rick Gillit are competing for the Republican slot.
In District 6, data analyst Chris Hansen is running against consultant Jeff Hart. Hansen has been involved in local Democratic Party politics for a while now, while Hart worked for the Government Accountability Office. There is no Republican.
In District 7, mental health worker Elet Valentine is running against James Coleman and Michele Wheeler to be the Democratic candidate. There is no Republican.
In District 8, attorney and Democratic Party activist Aaron Goldhamer is running against Leslie Herod, a consultant and former policy advisor to Gov. Bill Ritter. There is no Republican.
In Boulder's District 10, former Boulder City Councilwoman and director of public affairs for the Boulder Chamber Angelique Espinoza is running against Edie Hooton, a Democratic Party activist and fundraiser for women's causes. There is no Republican.
In District 32, attorney Adrienne Benavidez is running against Maria Gonzalez. There is no Republican.
In District 42, communications consultant and community activist Dominique Jackson is running against Aurora school board member Eric Nelson. Nelson has been accused of lying about his military, educational and criminal background. There is no Republican.
In District 43, a south suburban district that includes Highlands Ranch, community volunteer Cindy Barnard is challenging incumbent Republican state Rep. Kevin Van Winkle. There is no Democrat.
The Denver Post's complete voter guide is here.
