Colorado
Judy Amabile: We must do everything possible to safeguard the public lands that make Colorado special
By State Sen. Judy Amabile
I moved from New York to Colorado’s Western Slope when I was in the 8th grade — not a particularly easy time for a big life transition. My new school included a week of outdoor education. We hiked steep trails, climbed rocks and rafted a wild river. It was really hard, but also exhilarating. The experience boosted my confidence and sparked a love for the Colorado outdoors that has made my life healthier and richer.
Every Coloradan has a story about their connection to the outdoors. Our identity and economy are rooted in our public lands. Losing them would change everything we value. We must protect them.
In 2025, the Colorado legislature stood together to oppose federal efforts to sell off our public lands. Backed by strong public opposition, those sales were ultimately prevented.
This year, we are challenging a wide array of federal policy changes that disregard public will and abandon a balanced, sustainable approach to land management. These are backdoor policies driven by short-term thinking. They treat our shared lands as mere commodities to be liquidated for the benefit of a few.
That is not who we are.
The current administration’s push to weaken bedrock environmental laws, sidestep public input and privatize public lands is not just bad policy; it is bad business. When short-term privatization replaces long-term stewardship, Colorado pays the price. Our economy suffers. Our communities suffer. And hundreds of thousands of jobs are put at risk.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado State University, outdoor recreation contributed $65.8 billion to Colorado’s economy in 2023. It supported more than 404,000 jobs — 12% of our entire workforce. It generated $36.5 billion in GDP. Outdoor recreation now outpaces construction, finance and education as an economic driver in our state.
Public lands are not a side issue. They are central to Colorado’s economic strength.
But their value goes far beyond dollars. It’s personal. It’s about public health. Nature isn’t a cure-all, but it is essential. As a hiker, I know that time spent outdoors improves life in countless ways. Our forests, canyons and open spaces reduce stress, strengthen families and build community. Ninety-six percent of Coloradans recreate outdoors, and nearly three-quarters get outside at least once a week.
When the federal government auctions off public lands or shuts the public out of decision-making, it fails Colorado’s communities. And it harms those with the fewest resources the most. Public lands belong to all of us, not just those who can afford to buy them.
That is why I am a proud sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 26-015. It makes our position clear: Colorado opposes the privatization and selloff of our public lands.
We will continue to stand up and defend the places that sustain our economy, our health and our way of life. We have a responsibility to protect these precious lands for the generations to come.
Judy Amabile is the Colorado State Senator for District 18 (Boulder, Louisville, Superior, Niwot and Gunbarrel).
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How to register to vote in Colorado
There are three ways to register to vote in Colorado: online, by mail or in person.
The Colorado primary election is June 30.
The primary election will determine party nominees for the November election, and multiple seats with ties to Larimer County have contested races on the Democratic ballot or Republican ballot.
The Coloradoan has conducted candidate questionairres in the four contested races specific to voters in Larimer County.
Find links to our coverage below. This story will be updated as additional content is published.
Larimer County treasurer and public trustee
Two candidates are running for the Democratic Party nomination for Larimer County treasurer and public trustee: Conor Duffy, a finance professional and Poudre School District school board member, and Joann Ginal, a former state senator who represented Fort Collins in the Colorado legislature.
The winner of the primary will face Republican Steve Olson, a former Loveland City Council member.
Colorado House District 51
Two candidates are running for the Republican Party nomination to represent House District 51 in Loveland: Amy Parks, a communications professional who temporarily served as district representative in 2022, and Nancy Rumfelt, a financial professional and Thompson School District board member.
The winner of the primary will face Jacki Marsh, a Democrat and the former Loveland mayor.
Use this tool to find out if you live in House District 51.
U.S. House Congressional District 2
Two candidates are running for the Republican Party nomination to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives: Christina Blunt (Ducommun), a business owner and single mom, and Kelley Anne Dennison, a massage therapist.
The winner of the primary will face Rep. Joe Neguse, the Democrat who currently represents the district.
See what congressional district you live in by searching your address using this tool.
U.S. House Congressional District 4
Two candidates are running for the Democratic Party nomination to represent the 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives: Eileen Laubacher, a Navy veteran and National Security Council official, and Jenna Preston, a clinical psychologist. Preston is running as a write-in candidate, which means anyone who wants to vote for her will have to write her name in on the blank space provided on the ballot.
The winner of the primary will face Rep. Lauren Boebert, the Republican who has represented the district since early 2025. Prior to that, Boebert was the 3rd Congressional District representative.
See what congressional district you live in by searching your address using this tool.
What about other races on 2026 Colorado primary ballots?
Every other non-statewide race on the Democratic and Republican ballots is uncontested in the primary.
Who can return ballots in the 2026 Colorado primary election?
Remember that anyone who is registered as a Republican or Democrat can return only their party’s ballot.
Unaffiliated voters may choose which of those ballots to return, but only one can be returned. If both are returned, neither will be counted.
Two other parties are holding primary elections, with the Libertarian ballot including just candidates for secretary of state and the Unity ballot including just candidates for governor. Those ballots can only be returned by party members.
Voters registered for a party without a primary will not receive a ballot.
Other Colorado primary election content to check out
When is the Colorado primary election?
The primary election is June 30, 2026. Bookmark this story so you can find our latest content as you get ready to turn in your ballot.
The Colorado Buffaloes have a revamped roster and coaching staff under coach Deion Sanders, but the expectations for the team are rather low.
Betting odds for Colorado’s win total are set at 4.5, per FanDuel Sportsbook, and they are tied with the worst odds of winning the Big 12 championship.
Colorado Buffaloes May Be Underrated
ESPN’s Bill Connelly revealed his Big 12 preview, and he explained an interesting caveat around Colorado’s ranking in the SP+, a predictive system that ranks teams based on their efficiency while adjusting for opponents. The Buffaloes are ranked No. 65 overall by the SP+, and only West Virginia is behind Colorado at No. 66.
With a new roster, Colorado is more difficult to predict, though.
“We saw last year that Colorado still has an awfully low floor, but if Lewis indeed comes into his own at QB, the ceiling could be just as high: There’s more proven production on this roster than even the nine-win 2024 team had. It has to jell, and massive makeovers always come with risks,” writes Connelly. “But I like this team’s potential a lot more than SP+ does. And when have I ever been wrong?”
If Colorado can string together some wins, the Buffaloes will be one of the more surprising teams in the country. However, some of the new transfers joining the program have already been drawing attention.
Out of Connelly’s top 10 transfers in the Big 12, two of Colorado’s newcomers made the cut: linebacker Gideon Lampron and wide receiver Kam Perry, while receiver Danny Scudero received a mention as well.
The Buffs’ schedule features two Power 4 teams in the non-conference slate with Georgia Tech and Northwestern, and then Colorado faces Big 12 play with matchups against Texas Tech, Utah, and Oklahoma State.
Colorado’s Chances in 2026
The bottom of the Big 12 is rather close together by the SP+ with seven teams, nearly half of the conference, ranked between No. 50 and No. 66 overall.
Not only does this give Colorado room to climb if the combination of quarterback Julian Lewis with his new wide receivers and a new offensive coordinator in Brennan Marion can click. The Buffaloes brought in Danny Scudero, Kam Perry, and DeAndre Moore to replenish the wide receiver room, but defensive coordinator Chris Marve will also have to do his part with a new group of defensive transfers.
Colorado was among the worst teams in the country in 2025 when it came to stopping the run, and a group of new Buffs will be tasked with turning around the unit. Some new names like defensive lineman Ezra Christensen, linebacker Liona Lefau, and defensive back Boo Carter.
Still, if Colorado is able to string together some wins, it will likely come from outscoring opponents on the offensive side of the ball with the arrival of Marion and the return of Lewis. The Buffaloes lost four one-score games in 2025, surrendering an average of 20 points in those losses.
Winning six games and making a bowl game would be beating expectations for Colorado, although the Buffaloes seem to have the potential to build some momentum and string together some wins in 2026.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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