DENVER – Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary ballot got a step closer to crowded Monday as Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne turned in nominating petitions to the secretary of state’s office, one day before the deadline. Her campaign delivered petitions with almost 25,000 signatures, a spokesman said – more than twice the number required to make the ballot.

Lynne is the third Democrat running for governor to submit potitions – following former state Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, who learned Friday that his petitions had been deemed sufficient, and U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who turned in his last week. Denver businessman Noel Ginsburg is also circulating petitions.

In order to get on the ballot, she needs 1,500 valid signatures from Democrats registered in each of the state’s seven congressional districts, for a total of 10,500.

Former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy is taking a different route to the June 26 primary, through caucuses and the state assembly, where she’ll need the support of 30 percent of delegates to get nominated. Polis is also going through assembly, but he’ll only need 10 percent support to make the ballot if it turns out he submitted enough signatures on his petitions.

Six Democrats are running to replace term-limited Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat. As many as 10 Republicans are also running.

Lynne, a former top health care executive, was appointed lieutenant governor by Hickenlooper almost exactly two years ago. She also serves as the state’s chief operating officer. This is her first run for office.

“At the outset I said this path to the ballot was a reflection of my commitment to inclusiveness,” Lynne said in a statement, “and the last few weeks only reaffirmed for me Coloradans’ eagerness to elect another Democrat to continue the success we’ve seen under Gov. Hickenlooper. Moving forward, I will continue to reach out to all corners of the state to listen to voters and share my plans to improve health care access and affordability, ensure economic growth doesn’t leave middle-class Coloradans behind, extend educational opportunity and improve outcomes, invest in our infrastructure, and protect the state’s air and water.”