Outside groups have spent more than $3.3 million this month on two of Colorado’s most contentious congressional races, including more than $1 million that came from a super PAC associated with President Donald Trump.
Most of the money, $2.4 million, has been spent either to support Republican Reps. Gabe Evans and Jeff Crank or to oppose their Democratic rivals, Manny Rutinel and Jessica Killin, respectively, according to Federal Election Commission records.
No Going Back PAC is the single largest spender so far. The new group is financially backed by MAGA Inc., the main super PAC supported by Trump, according to The New York Times. The PAC has reserved at least $49 million in ads across the country, according to The Times.
Evans is looking to hold on to the 8th Congressional District, which stretches from north metro Denver to Greeley. Crank is defending the 5th Congressional District, which encompasses Colorado Springs.
The 8th was intentionally drawn to be one of the most competitive House districts in the country. The 5th has been a longtime Republican stronghold, but shifting demographics and the potential for a wave election have Democrats eyeing a flip.
Both Evans and Crank are first-term lawmakers.
No Going Back PAC has so far reported spending $444,000 to attack Killin, a former U.S. Army captain and chief of staff to former second gentleman Doug Emhoff. About $590,000 has gone to attack Rutinel, who recently resigned his state House seat.
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The money has gone toward direct mail, TV ads and text messages.
Money more directly tied to the political parties has stayed in the 8th, for now. The Congressional Leadership Fund, which supports Republicans, spent nearly $790,000 in September to oppose Rutinel, while the Democrats’ House Majority Project has spent $776,000 to oppose Evans.
The spending is only expected to grow. In 2024, $29 million was spent in the district by outside groups. Another $10.7 million was given to the campaigns directly, according to OpenSecrets.org.
The next campaign finance deadline for federal campaigns is Oct. 15, for a period that includes all the election activity since Colorado’s June 30 primaries.
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