Today is June 4, 2024, and here’s what you need to know:

Colorado's primary election ballots start going out to voters today

County clerks start sending primary election ballots in the mail to Colorado voters on Monday, kicking off three weeks of voting to designate Republican and Democratic nominees to the November ballot in contested congressional, legislative and local races.

Voters in the state’s 4th Congressional District will also be able to vote — on the same ballot — in the vacancy election to fill the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Ken Buck’s term, following the Republican’s resignation from Congress in March.

Clerks have until Friday to mail out ballots, and voters have until 7 p.m. June 25 to return them or to vote in person at voting centers, which open across the state in coming weeks.

Donald Trump endorses Republican Gabe Evans in Colorado's battleground 8th Congressional District

Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Republican Gabe Evans in Colorado’s battleground 8th Congressional District, where the state lawmaker is running in a primary against a candidate endorsed by the state GOP.

“A decorated Army helicopter pilot and police officer, Gabe will be an INCREDIBLE Fighter in Congress and will work hard to Grow the Economy, Lower Inflation, Uphold the Rule of Law, Defend the Border, Promote American Energy, and Support our Great Military and Police,” the former president said in a post on the Truth Social site.

“Gabe Evans has my Complete and Total Endorsement!” Trump added.

Colorado implements 'hands-free' law, but it's a secondary offense | EXPLAINER

Under a new “hands-free” law, Colorado drivers will be prohibited from using cellphones while driving, but it is a secondary offense, meaning it cannot be the primary reason to be pulled over.

Next year, Colorado will join 27 other states in adopting a “hands-free” law, prohibiting the use of electronic devices like cellphones while driving.

Under Senate Bill 065, law enforcement officers can’t stop a driver solely because they’re using a phone while driving. Instead, using an electronic device while driving is classified as a secondary offense, meaning drivers can only be cited for it if they are pulled over for something else, such as reckless driving.

Proposed Denver slaughterhouse ban could cost Colorado economy up to $861M, study shows

If Denver’s ballot measure to ban slaughterhouses is approved by voters in November, it could cost Colorado’s economy up to $861 million and impact nearly 3,000 jobs, according to a study by Colorado State University’s Regional Economic Development Institute.

Denver voters will be asked, “Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance prohibiting slaughterhouses, and, in connection, beginning January 1, 2026, prohibiting the construction, maintenance, or use of slaughterhouses within the City; and requiring the City to prioritize residents whose employment is affected by the ordinance in workforce training or employment assistance programs?”

Pro-Animal Future, a group that works to protect animal rights, introduced the ballot measure.

Poll: 60% of Denver voters approve of Mayor Mike Johnston's job performance

A solid majority of Denver voters hold a favorable view of Mayor Mike Johnston’s performance in the first five months of 2024, while less than half similarly regard the City Council, according to a poll released earlier this week.

The poll from Keating Research stands in stark contrast to a previous survey that found 50% of voters disapproved of Johnston’s performance.

The two surveys differed in some of their methodology. Notably, the Magellan Strategies surveyed 1,600 respondents over a week and used MMS text. Its data was weighted to match the voter demographics for a presidential election cycle in Denver.