Colorado voters denied incumbent Rep. Elisabeth Epps the opportunity to go back to the state Capitol, based on the early and unofficial results posted after polls closed on Tuesday night. 

Challenger Sean Camacho defeated Epps in the race for House District 6 by a wide margin. 

Epps, the executive director of a nonprofit organization, lost to Camacho, a military veteran and attorney, by 30 points, 63% to 37%.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Kyle Witter, who ran unopposed in his party’s primary. Democrats dominate the district, which means the winner of the Democratic contest holds an advantage going into the November election.

House District 6 is based in central and East Denver and includes the Capitol Hill, Montclair, and Windsor Garden neighborhoods.

The district is a safe Democratic seat, with 25,355 registered Democrats, 3,695 Republicans, and 25,637 unaffiliated voters. 

Many view the district’s Democratic race as a some kind of a bell weather for how far progressive policies can thrive at the state Capitol.

Epps, who was elected to the House in 2022, is regarded by many as a progressive stalwart who has repeatedly clashed with her own House leaders and fellow Democrats.

Last November, she disrupted the proceedings in her chamber when she joined pro-Palestinian protests and called her fellow lawmakers “fascist.” 

House Speaker Julie McCluskie reprimanded Epps, telling the Denver Democrat that additional infractions would lead to a more severe response. She has accused her colleagues of treating her differently because of her race and gender.       

Epps also filed a lawsuit against House leaders for allegedly violating transparency laws.

Epps has received endorsements from several organizations, including Colorado AFL-CIO, Moms Demand Action, the Political Workers Guild, and Cobalt.

That Epps drew a primary challenger didn’t come as a surprise. Indeed, the endorsements for both candidates offered some insights into the ideological split among Democrats.  

Camacho received the endorsement of several prominent Democrats in the state, including Gov. Jared Polis, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, McCluskie, and Senate President Steve Fenberg. 

“I feel that my life of service has prepared me to effectively represent HD6 and successfully navigate solutions to Colorado’s biggest challenges through the State House,” Camacho, who grew up in Colorado Springs and served in the Air Force after high school, told Colorado Politics. Camacho received his law degree from Suffolk University in Boston.

The fundraising between the two candidates had also been lopsided, with Camacho collecting and spending a lot more.    

House District 10

Incumbent Junie Joseph beat out challenger Tina Mueh in the House District 10 Democratic primary, receiving 59% of the vote. 

House District 11

Kathy Reeves secured the Republican primary against Terri Ann Goon in House District 11, with 59% of the vote. 

House District 12

Mark Milliman lead his Republican primary against Robert Mahler in House District 12, securing 61% of the vote.

House District 20

Jarvis Caldwell defeated Jason Lupo in the Republican primary in House District 20 with 66% of the vote. 

House District 21

Incumbent Rep. Mary Bradfield received 47% of the vote over Bill Garlington and Jan Koester in the House District 21 Republican Primary.

House District 31 

Jacqueline Phillips beat incumbent Rep. Julia Marvin in the House District 31 primary, securing 55% of the vote.