A Democrat and a Republican have officially entered the race for House District 32, which includes parts of Westminster and Commerce City.

The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Manny Rutinel, who is running for Congress. The eventual winner of the Democratic primary will challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Gabe Evans.

According to the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission, of the over 62,000 voters in HD 32, 33% are Democrats, 18% are Republicans, and 47% are unaffiliated. 

Democrat Chris VanDijk launched his campaign on Friday.

A firefighter with the South Adams County Fire Department, VanDijk has received early endorsements from the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters and IAFF Local 5124. Other early endorsements included Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, Rep. Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton, and Adams County Commissioner Steve D’Orisio. 

“I’m excited to get to work making our communities safer, more affordable, and more resilient — protecting our green spaces and environment and ensuring we have the best schools in the country,” VanDijk said in his campaign announcement. 

Republican Frederick Alfred Jr., who previously ran for Senate District 21 in 2024 and lost to Michaelson Jenet, is also running for the House seat. He is a chemical engineer and data scientist with experience in uranium refining, according to a Q&A from the 2024 election. 

In a Colorado Sentinel interview from 2024, Alfred said energy policy was his top legislative priority, adding that he would support measures to add nuclear power to the state’s energy portfolio and increase oil and gas development.