Colorado’s 1st Congressional District Democratic Primary: DeGette, Kiros, and James

A breakdown of the three candidates vying for Colorado's 1st Congressional District seat, comparing their stances on health care, drug prices, and child care ahead of the June 30 primary.

Colorado —The fog clings to the I-25 corridor this morning, thick and gray, just like the political landscape in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. Three women are running to represent you in Washington. They all live in Denver. They all want the same seat. But they disagree on almost everything else.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, socialist Democrat Melat Kiros, and University of Colorado Regent Wanda James are locked in a three-way primary battle for June 30. There are no Republicans to worry about this cycle — Christy Peterson is the sole GOP contender, a formality that shifts the real contest entirely to the Democrats.

The Colorado Sun dug into their records. It didn’t just ask what they believe. It asked what they would do with the power of the office. The answers reveal a party split down the middle between establishment pragmatism and progressive overhaul.

DeGette, 68, has held the seat since 1997. She’s the incumbent. She knows how the sausage is made. Kiros, 29, is the outsider. A lawyer fired after defending pro-Palestine student protesters, she brings the energy of a movement. James, 62, is the veteran. A former Navy officer and owner of the nation’s first Black-owned cannabis dispensary, she brings a different kind of stability.

Here is what matters to your wallet and your commute.

Health Care

The question is simple: How do we fix a broken system? DeGette leans toward incremental change — public options, targeted reforms. She isn’t promising to burn it all down. Kiros wants Medicare for All. She wants the government to take the wheel. James sits somewhere in between, focusing on accessibility without necessarily mandating a single-payer universal model immediately.

Drug Prices

This is where the rubber meets the road. Kiros supports aggressive federal legislation to cap prices. She wants to see what Washington does when it forces Big Pharma to compete. DeGette supports price limits but prefers the legislative route that has worked in the past, negotiation, not mandates. James agrees with the goal but emphasizes the supply chain, not just the price tag.

Child Care Crisis

Colorado’s child care system is failing. 14,000 eligible children are on waitlists. Families are choosing between working and caring for their kids. DeGette wants federal subsidies to fill the gap. Kiros argues child care should be free for everyone. James focuses on workforce development for caregivers. It’s a nuanced difference, but it changes how the money flows.

Climate and Transport

Colorado is missing its climate targets. Electric vehicle sales are up, but emissions from transportation are still climbing. DeGette backs the Green New Deal framework but focuses on infrastructure spending. Kiros wants a rapid transition to 100% renewable energy. James emphasizes the economic angle; green jobs that pay a living wage.

Immigration

The Aurora ICE detention center is the flashpoint. DeGette wants reform that balances security with humane treatment. Kiros wants to dismantle the current enforcement apparatus. James focuses on the human cost, citing her own experience with the military and healthcare systems.

The short version? DeGette offers continuity. Kiros offers revolution. James offers experience.

You have to choose who you trust to fight for you in a townhouse in D.C., not a boardroom in Denver. The primary is June 30. The fog won’t last forever.