Ernest Luning

Colorado didn't buck trends entirely when voters nationwide returned Donald Trump to the White House for a second term on Nov. 5, but the state moved a smidgeon to the

Colorado didn't buck trends entirely when voters nationwide returned Donald Trump to the White House for a second term on Nov. 5, but the state moved a smidgeon to the right, even as other Democratic-dominated states leaned markedly toward the Republican, enough to hand the former president the first national popular vote win for a GOP presidential nominee in two decades.

Grand Junction Republican Jeff Hurd spent two weeks in Washington with fellow incoming lawmakers after being elected earlier this month to represent Colorado's sprawling 3rd Congressional District.

Colorado Democratic chair Shad Murib on Wednesday launched a bid for a second, two-year term running the state party in next year's biennial reorganization meeting.

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib addresses the crowd at Crow Fest, a campaign volunteer appreciation event sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, on Sept. 28, 2024, at Breckenridge Brewery

Leading Colorado Democrats criticized President Joe Biden's pardon of his son for federal crimes, calling the move a "mistake" that weakens Americans' faith in the justice system.

Polis was the first prominent Democrat to express disapproval of the pardon, but he was joined by a chorus of others, including U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado.

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., the ranking member on the House Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, right, listens as Task Force chairman Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., adjourns a hearing on the Secret Service's security failures regarding the assassination attempts on President-elect Trump, in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024, and West Palm Beach, Fla., Sept. 15, 2024, on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams participates in a congressional primary debate June 3 at Centennial Hall in Colorado Springs.

Nothing spreads cheer like the prospect of being well prepared for the next election — at least in Colorado's political circles, where the looming midterms promise to set off a