Melat Kiros, a former attorney, grad student and barista, is running to represent Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. 

In the nearly three decades that Diana DeGette has been in Congress, her seat has rarely, if ever, been at risk. She’s gone unopposed in ten of fourteen primary elections since she entered office in 1997. Her all-time most successful challenger drummed up fewer than half of DeGette’s votes in 2018. That long-held job security is being put to the test this year.

A 28-year-old barista is making big waves in Denver politics. Melat Kiros — who’s also a lawyer and a Ph.D student when she isn’t behind the counter at the Whittier Cafe — is picking up momentum in her first-ever political campaign. She’s running against longtime U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s 1st Congressional District in Denver.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette's iron grip on the Denver seat she's held for nearly three decades faces its most formidable challenge in years from progressive newcomer Melat Kiros, a democratic socialist who aims to unseat Colorado's longest-serving Congress member — a potential upset that could signal a broader progressive push to topple establishment Democrats nationwide.

CPR's daily news roundup for March 31 covers the state of Colorado's 2026 Democratic primary contests following last week's party assembly. In CO-01, Melat Kiros dominated with 67% of delegate votes, earning the top ballot position, while incumbent Diana DeGette narrowly cleared the 30% threshold to qualify for the June 30 primary. CU Regent Wanda James will also appear on the ballot via petition signatures, setting up a three-way race.

"With just under 33% of the vote to Kiros’ hair over 67%, DeGette narrowly cleared the 30% threshold required for designation to the June 30th ballot." (Colorado Politics)

The group’s increasing anti-war push shows how progressives are leveraging an unpopular war in the midterms. (The Intercept)

Rep. Diana DeGette narrowly secured enough delegate support on Friday evening to appear on the Democratic primary ballot for Colorado's 1st Congressional District. Her challenger Melat Kiros, a Democratic Socialist, significantly outperformed DeGette at the party assembly and will appear first on the June primary ballot as a result.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat representing Denver in Congress for nearly three decades, barely qualified for the June primary ballot at the 1st District Democratic assembly on Friday. DeGette needed 30% of delegate support to advance and received roughly 33%, finishing second to first-time candidate Melat Kiros.

Rep. Diana DeGette & challenger Melat Kiros both secured a place on the June 30 primary ballot for the 1st Congressional District.

Melat Kiros, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 1st District, meets with members of D.C.'s Ethiopian diaspora during an event at Punch Bowl Social REUTERS

An NPR analysis of campaign finance data finds that in 12 reliably Democratic districts held by older incumbents, young challengers have outraised incumbents or raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over a short period of time, relying almost exclusively on individual contributors.

Democrats are divided over issues such as whether to abolish ICE. This year's midterm elections will not only shape the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency, they'll also offer an early look at the political landscape that could follow his time in office.

My interview with my fellow University of Notre Damer Melat Kiros who is running for Congress in Colorado.

"Melat Kiros is taking on Rep. Diana DeGette over health care and generational politics."

Progressive organization Justice Democrats endorsed Melat Kiros, who is challenging Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado’s First Congressional District, on Thursday.

"The group is endorsing more challengers amid broader interest in new leadership across the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections."

"We cannot wait and hope the older generations will watch out for us. We have to watch out for ourselves."

A personal story rooted in Denver—and in Ethiopia

"Melat Kiros launched her campaign Thursday night to challenge longtime U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District Democratic Primary next year."

"Declaring that it’s 'time for a new generation of leadership,' Denver Democrat Melat Kiros, the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants and a former corporate attorney, on Wednesday launched a primary campaign aimed at unseating 15-term U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, who has represented Colorado’s 1st Congressional District longer than Kiros has been alive."