Among Colorado’s few remaining bipartisan rituals are county and state party dinners. I was particularly intrigued by last week’s Denver Democratic Party’s 2026 Annual Gala, a “New Deal for a New Era.” Their glossy program featured an artist’s Technicolor rendering of Denver’s Red Rocks amphitheater. My always more far astute spouse suggested our world-renowned concert venue built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the original New Deal of the 1930s was suggested as an example of the civic achievements lying ahead for Colorado. Subtle to be sure, but rather clever as well.

Scheduled at the Mile High Station event center beneath the Colfax viaduct next to Meow Wolf, party Chair James Reyes had taken a leap of faith by pricing tickets at $250 — state party territory. There is always a conflict between those who want to keep the dinner tariff small and the crowd large which conflicts with the purpose which is to raise money. When I raised the ticket price from $35 to $50 in 1984, there was nearly a rebellion in the executive committee. We still drew a thousand Democrats to hear the recently deposed governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton, as the keynote speaker. For many decades, Colorado Democrats stuck with its Jefferson-Jackson events. Then, their history as slave owners led to a naming shift to Roosevelt, Kennedy and more recently, Obama. My own Arapahoe County Dems opted for Pat Schroeder. Republicans tend to stick with Lincoln and, occasionally, Reagan.

Since then, a summer picnic at Ruby Hill Park has become the cheap affair within reach of committee persons, many of them Social Security-eligible, while the county dinner has been repurposed to fatten the party treasury. Undoubtedly, a $250 tariff for 200-plus attendees raises more dollars. This crowd was considerably younger than it has been in former decades, sprinkled with officeholders, aspiring candidates and lobbyists. Another Democratic governor, Minnesota’s Tim Walz, also the 2024 Democratic vice-presidential candidate, was recruited to offer the keynote. Having attended several county assemblies this year, together with the state convention in Pueblo, Democrats seem to have a penchant for rooms with miserable acoustics. Though stylish, even classy, Mile High Station’s empty and cavernous second-floor ceiling swallowed voices of all but the most vigorous speakers. Mayor Mike Johnston taped a video welcome that experienced initial technical problems and then was virtually unintelligible at the back of the hall.

There was whispered surprise Diana DeGette agreed to receive the party’s annual Frank Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award in deserved recognition for her 30 years representing Denver in Congress. The star of the evening, however, was certain to be Melat Kiros, the 29-year-old Democratic Socialist who hastened DeGette’s retirement. She did not disappoint. For anyone who may have wondered how Kiros pulled off a Peña-sized upset, her remarks would answer their puzzlement. Kiros received a standing ovation upon introduction and again at the conclusion of a brief thank you to her volunteers — thanks to the 1,300 canvassers who knocked on Denver doors (115,000) as well as those who placed 500,000 calls. Presumably, another cohort waged her much-admired internet and social media campaign.

Melat emphasized her election was not a personal victory, but a win for every Democrat who believes our political leaders should be fighting for a more affordable economy and a better quality of life. These sentiments may have been taken from the 2026 playbook for Democratic candidates, but she linked these priorities to her personal experience growing up in Colorado’s immigrant communities — a bravura performance. When it came time to present the Lifetime Achievement Award, it became apparent Diana was not in attendance. There was substantial confusion at the podium as former District Attorney Beth McCann apparently arrived with prepared remarks while a DeGette staffer also had something to say. It was awkward for everyone. Snubbing the Denver Democrats didn’t reach the level of Dick Tuck’s famous line when interviewed after losing an election, “The voters have spoken — the (ungrateful) bastards,” but it was close.

Speaking with Frank Sullivan later, who expected to present DeGette’s award, he said, “I was disappointed Diana didn’t appear. In this business, you have to know both how to win graciously and lose with dignity.” At my table, young Democrats who had all supported Melat grumbled DeGette had a responsibility to appear and enthusiastically endorse Kiros, emphasizing why it was important to return another Democrat to Washington. There were no standing ovations for Denver’s departing 15-term congresswoman. One irony is the fact should Diana have decided not to run again this year; there would have been a line of Democratic candidates around the block who have been patiently waiting for her to quit. Whether this was a matter of courtesy or cowardice, likely a mix of both, Kiros had no such hesitation. In retrospect it appears almost any opponent could have defeated DeGette. As one old-timer confided to me, “Miller, it was time.”

Gov. Walz closed the evening with a rousing call to arms for Denver Democrats. He evidenced an energy and cheerleading talent that was rarely seen during his 2024 campaign as Kamala Harris’ lieutenant. It left me wondering whether the Beltway consulting class muzzled him in the interests of moderation? American politics is in a profound transformation headed toward an unknown destination. The fact there are now more unaffiliated/independent voters in Colorado than Democrats and Republicans combined speaks to the rapid rot in our two-party tradition. Winner-take-all elections are probably destined for the trash heap, to be replaced by some iteration of proportional representation recognizing multi-party candidacies. It won’t be easy or happen fast. Ranked choice voting and open primaries are a step in that direction, but each has its own flaws.

Victor Marx may well disassemble the Republican Party permanently in November. We should probably expect to see a third-party schism on Colorado’s right before Democrats and Democratic Socialists consider separate paths. The “enemy-of my-enemy is my friend” meme provides all the glue Democrats require in 2026 and 2028. Nonetheless, I expect a Green Party resurgence soon as climate change reality crushes the “China hoax” environmental policies of this White House. Meanwhile, I can look forward to another overpriced buffet meal or two. But, for my sake, please find a venue that doesn’t echo. It wasn’t my VA-provided hearing aids failing at their job; even my youthful table companions kept asking, “What did he/she/they just say?” Of course, their inquiries may have reflected an abiding disconnect with much of what was being said. Bob Dylan’s refrain, “The times are a changing,” still rings true 60 years on.

Miller Hudson is a public affairs consultant and a former Colorado legislator.