PRIMARY 2020 | Live blog: Landslides, upsets and a few nail-biters

By Emily Ferguson and Linda Shapley 06/30/2020 | updated 6 years ago

Follow along with Colorado Politics’ live blog Tuesday evening for Colorado’s primary election results. Many are anticipating which Democrat will face U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner in November: former Gov. John Hickenlooper or former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff. (Gardner’s campaign sent out a memo Tuesday with bets on Hickenlooper.)

But other races remain: the primary races for two University of Colorado board of regents seats, and the Democratic primary race to represent Congressional District 1 on the State Board of Education.

10:15 pm: Gov. Jared Polis tweets his support of mail-in voting, using the Colorado primaries as an example:

“Nearly 1.3 million Coloradans voted in our primary elections. 99.8% percent of those votes were cast by mail ballots, either returned by mail or drop boxes.

“Vote by mail works.”

9:36 pm: Rep. Scott Tipton concedes to Lauren Boebert after a contentious race. Here are some past Colorado Politics articles on the Rifle restauranteur:

Boebert ad links Tipton to liberal 'Squad' for co-sponsoring COVID-19 relief bill

GOP congressional candidate's restaurant served with restraining order for offering sit-down dining

9:30 pm: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock tweets: “Congratulations to my good friend, and our next Senator, John @Hickenlooper! Taking back this seat for Democrats is critical to taking back the Senate from Mitch McConnell, and John has the record of fighting for Colorado & our strong, progressive values. Now, let’s go win this!”

9:25 pm: Gov. Jared Polis tweets: “Our nation needs John @Hickenlooper‘s leadership more than ever today, and I am proud to enthusiastically endorse and support him for the U.S. Senate.”

9:20 pm: Lauren Boebert releases the following statement:

“Our freedom and our Constitutional rights are on the ballot this November and Republicans just sent a loud and clear message that they want me there to fight for them.”

She added, “I joined this race because thousands of ordinary Americans just like me are fed-up with politics as usual. Colorado deserves a fighter who will stand up for freedom, who believes in America and who is willing to take on all the left-wing lunatics who are trying so hard to ruin our country. We are in a battle for the heart and soul of our country. I’m going to win this November because freedom is a great motivator.”

9:10 pm: The University of Colorado board of regents seats resulted in victories for Callie Rennison and Richard Murray.

PRIMARY 2020 | CU regent primary results for CD2 (DEM), CD6 (REP)

Find race results here:

PRIMARY 2020 | Legislative races: Moderate Republicans make gains in races throughout the state

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner tells Colorado Politics: “Gov. John Hickenlooper wouldn’t recognize Senate candidate John Hickenlooper.”

PRIMARY 2020 | Gardner sizes up his run against Hickenlooper

9:07 p.m. A statement from Rep. Scott Tipton: “3rd District Republicans have decided who they want to run against the Democrats this November. I want to congratulate Lauren Boebert and wish her and her supporters well.”

PHOTOS: Denver Election Center in the midst of the pandemic primary

Photo journalist Kathryn Scott visited the Denver Elections Division on Election Day to see how the judges and other workers negotiated themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic.

1 of 10

Election judges at the Denver Elections Division receive, prepare, and process ballots on June 30, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. There are fewer judges working in the normally filled rooms to maintain physical distancing, and voting stations are cleaned continuously as a precaution due to COVID-19.

Kathryn Scott, special to Colorado Politics

8 pm: Lisa Escarcega is set to represent Congressional District 1 on the State Board of Education.

PRIMARY 2020 | Lisa Escárcega pulling away in early State Board of Education returns

Lauren Boebert, a newcomer to politics, roared out to a 19-point lead in western and southern Colorado’s Congressional District 3 against incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton of Cortez Tuesday night.

PRIMARY 2020 | Boebert takes down incumbent CD3 Rep. Scott Tipton in night's upset win

7:27 pm: AP calls the race for Hickenlooper.

PRIMARY 2020 | Primary voters pick Hickenlooper to take on Republican Cory Gardner in Colorado

7:13 pm: For CD 3 Republicans, Lauren Boebert is leading incumbent Scott Tipton with 57.8%. For the Democrats, Diane Mitsch Bush leads James Iacino with 61.27%.

7:10 pm: For the State Board of Education, D1, Lisa Escarcega leads with 71.34%

7:06 pm: Hickenlooper — 56%, Romanoff — 43.8%

To refresh on some background information:

COVER STORY | Democratic US Senate primary preview: The rivals make their case

ELECTION 2020 | Poll shows primary voters overwhelmingly choose Hickenlooper

Primary preview: CU regents for CD2 (DEM) and CD6 (REP)

Primary preview: State Board of Education for Congressional District 1; Democrat

There were also 18 contested primary races in the statehouse; we asked those candidates for their views; read up on the key matchups here.

Emily Ferguson

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