Colorado’s political landscape underwent a seismic shift Tuesday night as primary voters delivered a series of stunning upsets, answering the question of who will lead the state’s executive branch and federal delegation for years to come. From an unprecedented progressive victory in Denver to a heavyweight clash for the gubernatorial nomination, the historic turnout has set the stage for a volatile and highly competitive general election cycle.

In what is already being labeled one of the largest political upsets in modern Colorado history, 29-year-old political newcomer Melat Kiros successfully unseated veteran U.S. Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District. DeGette, who has held the deep-blue Denver seat since 1996, was expected to cruise to renomination. However, Kiros ran a grassroots campaign anchored by a democratic socialist platform and tapped into a powerful undercurrent of desire for generational change. By centering her campaign on rejecting corporate campaign contributions and advocating for universal healthcare, Kiros proved that a clear vision for working families can overcome entrenched political establishments.

The marquee matchup of the evening saw current Attorney General Phil Weiser secure the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, defeating U.S. Senator Michael Bennet after a bruising and expensive primary campaign. The race to succeed term-limited Governor Jared Polis split the state’s party establishment, but Weiser’s localized infrastructure and deep ties to municipal leaders across the Front Range pushed him over the finish line. Bennet conceded the race gracefully, pledging to work alongside Weiser to ensure the seat remains in Democratic hands while he completes the remaining two years of his term in the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, the Republican gubernatorial primary remains too close to call between Victor Marx, Barb Kirkmeyer, and Scott Bottoms.

While Denver grabbed the headlines, national political observers kept their eyes firmly fixed on Colorado’s 8th Congressional District. State Representative Manny Rutinel emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, defeating former State Representative Shannon Bird. Rutinel’s victory sets up a high-stakes showdown against incumbent Republican Representative Gabe Evans for a toss-up seat that could decide the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. In other down-ballot shifts, Democrat Jessica Killin easily claimed victory in her 5th Congressional District primary, and national politics briefly intersected with the state as former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters visited the White House following a federal pardon that carries no legal weight regarding her ongoing state-level convictions.