Colorado's 1st Congressional District pits Democrat Melat Kiros against Republican Christy Peterson in the Nov. 3 general election, and Chad Humphrey, Critter Milton and Shimon Blau are also candidates in the district.
The current holder of the seat is Rep. Diana L. DeGette (D-CO).
Kiros is a first-time candidate born in Ethiopia who earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame; she describes herself as an immigrant, lawyer, PhD student and democratic socialist and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Peterson works in office management and accounting at a construction company and is also a first-time candidate.
Kiros won the Democratic primary with about 53 percent of the vote over Diana DeGette, who received about 40 percent. Peterson ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Humphrey is a Denver-based entrepreneur and retired Marine officer who served 20 years in the Marine Corps, including in Operation Enduring Freedom. Milton is the Unity Party treasurer and author of *Taosool: The Art of Standing on One Leg*. Blau is a Denver pain doctor.
What They Stand For
The Denver Post published questionnaire responses from Kiros and Peterson on Oct. 3, showing the two differ on whether to open more federal land in Colorado to oil and gas extraction, with Kiros opposing and Peterson supporting it.
Kiros has supported a single-payer Medicare for All system and universal childcare and eldercare programs, according to her campaign website and the Colorado Newsline voter guide. Her platform calls for a housing-first policy and public housing, with her campaign website saying the country needs to build more housing and help people afford existing homes. She has called for an end to U.S. support for Israel and an arms embargo while supporting humanitarian aid, and has said the United States should "lead with diplomacy instead" of military entanglements.
Peterson has said, "I really support Trump," calling him "the best president ever," according to the Colorado Newsline voter guide. She has supported Immigration and Customs Enforcement and continued enforcement efforts, criticizing Denver's sanctuary policies, and her platform calls for low taxes, limited government and free-market policies. She has said she supports "peace through strength" and her platform promises to "protect Israel." Her campaign website also promises support for election-integrity efforts.
Humphrey's campaign, per Colorado Public Radio (CPR), focuses on ending wars, abolishing the IRS and Federal Reserve, and expanding individual freedoms; he has said government "should be seen and not heard." Blau, according to the Colorado Newsline voter guide, has said he is "very much against ICE being here in Colorado," supports a two-state solution in Israel, opposes the war in Iran, and describes himself as fiscally conservative while now supporting universal healthcare. Milton cites Unity Party principles as "people before party, freedom for the individual, everyone's voice matters and security for society," according to CPR.
The Money Behind the Race
Federal Election Commission filings show Kiros raised about $1.1 million through June 30 and had about $126,000 in cash on hand, with $1,100 in debt. Peterson raised about $2,057 through June 30 and had about $1,703 in cash on hand.
Outside groups spent about $3.2 million in the race as of Oct. 12, all of it directed at Democratic candidates: about $2 million tied to Diana DeGette and about $1.1 million tied to Kiros. Pro-Choice Majority Action was the largest outside spender in the race, at about $1.5 million. It reported $1,267,653 in support and $275,000 in opposition. Justice Democrats PAC spent $513,818, including $306,460 in support and $207,358 in opposition. Mile High Accountability Project spent $485,000 in support, and Project 218 spent $400,000 in opposition.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Kiros, a 96.84 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 12.
The district has voted heavily Democratic in recent cycles: Diana DeGette won with about 80 percent in 2022 and about 77 percent in 2024. Statewide, Democrats won five of Colorado's eight U.S. House seats in 2022 and four of eight in 2024. Democrat Kamala D. Harris carried Colorado in the 2024 presidential election with about 54 percent of the vote.
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