Who's running in Colorado's 8th congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Gabe Evans currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Border security and deporting criminals and cartel members, while not spending resources on long-settled immigrants who aren't causing problems.
Opposing warrantless ICE entries into homes.
Supporting oil, gas and coal production and opposing state energy regulations.
Bipartisan bills on data centres and artificial intelligence chatbots.
Protecting farmers and ranchers from animal-agriculture restrictions.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Colorado's 8th District since January 2025; won by less than a percentage point in 2024.
Former Colorado state representative.
Member of the Problem Solvers Caucus; says 10 of his 16 bills are bipartisan.
Pushed to keep wind and solar tax credits but voted for the 2025 law that phased them out after a two-year extension.
Endorsed by President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, which backed a Democrat in 2024.
Arguments in favor
'I don't think it's a fair characterization to say that I march in lockstep with the administration. I look at policies. If it's a good policy for my district, I support the policy.' On crime and border security the administration has done 'a fantastic job'; on warrantless ICE home entries, he disagrees.
— Gabe Evans, to The Colorado Sun
The animal protection policies Rutinel once supported would crush farmers and ranchers in the district — which is why the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union switched to backing Evans.
— Gabe Evans at an August 27 news conference, and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union endorsement, reported by The Colorado Sun
Arguments against
'Gabe Evans is placing his bet on Donald Trump's popularity, which has never been lower.'
— Shad Murib, Colorado Democratic Party chair, to The Colorado Sun
Evans is 'selling out the people of the district for his corporate PAC donors and billionaire donors', backing tax cuts for millionaires and a Trump war in Iran that has sent gas prices 'through the roof'.
— Manny Rutinel, Democratic opponent, to the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
'Unlike Gabe Evans, Manny will always put Colorado families first.'
— Rep. Suzan DelBene, DCCC chair, reported by Colorado Politics
What we couldn’t verify
Evans's campaign website could not be located.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been established from the sources read.
Lowering prices on gas, health care, housing and groceries.
Tax cuts for working people rather than millionaires.
Protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and reversing ACA cuts, including exploring a public option.
Ending the 'unplanned forever war' in Iran.
An 'all of the above' energy system; he does not support a fracking ban.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Colorado state representative for House District 32, 2023–September 2026.
Former economist with the US Army Corps of Engineers; former Earthjustice attorney.
Former vegan animal-rights activist who once called animal agriculture 'a horrific, exploitative industry'; says he now eats meat and his past views were less informed.
Won the June 30, 2026 Democratic primary with about 63% over Shannon Bird.
Named to the DCCC's Red to Blue programme in July 2026.
Arguments in favor
'The son of an immigrant single mom, Manny Rutinel understands the challenges working Coloradans face… laser-focused on lowering costs, growing our economy.'
— Rep. Suzan DelBene, DCCC chair, reported by Colorado Politics
His win is 'a moment for all the kids out there who, like me, had the deck stacked against them'; he has co-sponsored more than 400 state laws aimed at making working people's lives more affordable.
— Manny Rutinel, to the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
Arguments against
'Meatless Manny Rutinel wants to end animal agriculture, eradicate fossil fuels and let criminals roam free… hardworking Coloradans will resoundingly reject far-left liberal Manny Rutinel.'
— Zach Bannon, NRCC spokesman, reported by Colorado Politics
His past animal-rights views make him an extremist: 'The guy is nuts.'
— Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee chairman, reported by The Colorado Sun
He has changed many of his policy stances, including on fracking bans, single-payer health care and animal agriculture.
— Critics cited by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor; Rutinel says his 'fundamental values have been consistent'
What we couldn’t verify
Whether the candidates will debate had not been established from the sources read.
Rutinel's current fundraising total was not established from the sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Colorado held its primaries on June 30, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. The district uses the map drawn by Colorado's independent redistricting commission in 2021; no redistricting affecting 2026 was found. Amendment 86 on this November's ballot concerns future congressional redistricting and would not change the 2026 lines. Three candidates are on the ballot, per the Secretary of State's list certified September 4: Republican incumbent Gabe Evans; Democrat Manny Rutinel, who beat former state Rep. Shannon Bird with about 63%; and Libertarian Dave Wood. Rutinel resigned his state House seat on September 4, 2026 to campaign full time. The district covers Denver's northern suburbs in Adams County and parts of Larimer and Weld counties including Greeley; about two in five residents are Latino. Evans won in 2024 by fewer than 2,500 votes over Democrat Yadira Caraveo. The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rate it a toss-up.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Colorado ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.