Campaign finance reports show funding gap in Colorado House District 57 race

Democratic incumbent Rep. Elizabeth Velasco is outraising and outspending her Republican opponent, Russ Andrews, ahead of November’s race to represent Colorado House District 57. Velasco’s committee has raised roughly $67,000 and spent around $38,300 as of the reporting period ending Sept. 30. Andrews has raised roughly $18,800 and spent just over $14,700 during the same period, according to reports filed with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. Velasco, a Glenwood Springs Democrat who took office in 2023 and is serving her second term in the Colorado House of Representatives, entered the race with more than $22,000 and raised the rest — over $44,660 — through contributions from individual donors, political action committees and small donor committees, including the Voces Unidas Political Action Committee. Contributions to Velasco’s campaign consist of individual donations ranging from $10 to $500, and contributions from political committees of up to $3,000. Some of Velasco’s largest contributors include groups like Building a Stronger Colorado, the Colorado Medical Society Small Donor Committee, the Jane Fonda Climate Political Action Committee, Eagle County Democrats, Healthier Colorado Small Donor Committee, Colorado WINS Small Donor Committee and a small donor committee under United Food and Commercial Workers. Several of the committees donating to Velasco’s campaign have also contributed to other Colorado Democrats running for election in 2026, including Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is running for governor, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who is running for attorney general, and Sen. Dylan Roberts, who is running for reelection to represent Senate District 8. Velasco’s campaign has spent most of its funding on consultants and professional services, including from non-profit online fundraising platform ActBlue and Mailchimp, which helps with bulk email distribution of newsletters and campaign advertisements. Andrews, a Carbondale financial advisor who previously lost the 2024 Republican primary for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District to Rep. Jeff Hurd, entered the race with zero funds and has raised nearly $19,000 through contributions ranging between $50 and $500 from individual donors. Some of Andrews’ largest donors are individual residents and business owners, including Gregg Rippy — owner of Grand River Construction Company in Glenwood Springs. In September, Andrews said some of the $14,000 spent in his campaign has gone toward yard signs and text messages to voters, with plans for radio ads in October. Filings with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office show he has spent small amounts on office supplies, meals, gas for travel and hotel lodging. Larger amounts have been spent on items like campaign signs, banners and hang cards as of Sept. 30. House District 57 covers Garfield and Pitkin counties, as well as the southwestern portion of Eagle County. The district is home to nearly 88,000 residents, with the majority living in Garfield County, according to 2024 Census data. Election Day is Nov. 3. The final day to register to vote and still receive a ballot in the mail is Oct. 26. Voters can check their registration status at GoVoteColorado.gov.