October 27, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO – In a new interview with Colorado Public Radio, Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, stressed how when elected, he will be a representative for all of his constituents.

This contrasts what his opponent, Congressman Gabe Evans, has done since joining Congress two years ago. During Evans’ tenure, he avoided in-person town halls and shied away from his constituents while advocating for one man, Donald Trump, who he has voted with 100% of the time to raise costs on Coloradans.

In case you missed it:

• When asked to choose an elected official in Washington, D.C. to have a conversation with, Manny Rutinel opted for someone much closer to home.

• “I have a lot of questions for folks in the Republican party right now, like Gabe Evans, who have just time and time again decided they were going to sell out this district,” Rutinel, the Democratic candidate in the CD-8 race for Congress, told Colorado Matters co-host Chandra Thomas Whitfield. Rutinel is running against Evans, who won the seat in 2024.

• From Rutinel: “Well, I've been having in-person town halls, meet and greets, roundtables across the district. And even at these town halls, these are town halls that Gabe Evans refuses to go to. And what we want to do is be able to reach voters where they're at. And we've been doing that with events across the district. We even hosted or were a part of a debate in Berthoud, which is in the district with a local publication, and I was able to demonstrate very clearly that Gabe Evans decides 100% with Donald Trump on his cost-hiking agenda and that what we're trying to do is be able to lower costs for working families, fight backs against the corruption and make sure that the government actually works for working people as opposed to Donald Trump and Gabe Evans' billionaire donors.”

• Colorado Matters also made numerous requests for an interview with Evans, but he was not made available.

October 26, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO – On Saturday, Manny Rutinel’s campaign held a Day of Action canvass launch, joined by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, Colorado State Rep. Jenny Willford, Colorado WINS, SEIU Local 105, Social Security Works and over 200 volunteers.

Rutinel emphasized the competitiveness of the race, especially as President Donald Trump and Congressman Gabe Evans threaten to cut Coloradans’ health care and continue to raise gas prices through their reckless war in Iran. After the kickoff, volunteers spread throughout the district to knock doors and have conversations with 8th District voters about Rutinel’s plan to restore health care access, stop corruption, and fight for working families.

In stressing how important knocking on doors and talking to their fellow Coloradans, Rutinel added “[Donald Trump and Gabe Evans] got the billionaires, they got the trillionaires. We got the people.”

October 23, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO – Yesterday, the Denver Post reported that Representative Gabe Evans is “running from an unpopular president’s long shadow” after having “embraced much of Trump’s agenda.”

Despite his claims to the contrary, Evans has “aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda writ large, including voting last year for his massive tax-and-spend bill.” As one person noted, “on the big votes, he’s with Trump.”

That includes supporting Trump’s tariffs and his reckless war in Iran – which has led to an increase in costs across the board. As the Denver Post reported, “Nate Baxter, the president and CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro, said there was no doubt that inflation was hurting his customers and suppliers. Trucking mulch and compost hundreds of miles requires plenty of diesel fuel, the price of which recently hit a record high.”

In case you missed it:

• “[Evans has] aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda writ large, including voting last year for his massive tax-and-spend bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which extended tax cuts and trimmed back safety-net programs, among other components.”

• “On the big votes, he’s with Trump. And that’s hard to get away from,” Saunders said.

• “It puzzles me a little,” Teske said… “He's not going out of his way to separate himself.”

• Mary Young, who represented a state House seat encompassing Greeley for five years, said Evans had his chance. She said his vote for the OBBBA, which also made cuts to social programs like Medicaid and food assistance, showed his true colors. “If (voters) look at him objectively, it will be very difficult to decouple him from Trump," said Young, a Democrat. “People voted for him expecting him to be a moderate and listen to what people were saying, which was to bring down prices.”

October 22, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO – Following reporting that the Department of Justice will descend on Adams County on Election Day, Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, shared the following statement:

“Every eligible voter deserves to cast a ballot freely, safely and without intimidation. Our local election workers should be able to do their job without interference, and I’m deeply concerned by reports that the Justice Department will descend on Adams County. The DOJ must explain to voters why they have singled out Adams County. We’re continuing our voter protection efforts to ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard.”

October 21, 2026 · Read the full release

Since War Began in February, Gas and Diesel Prices Skyrocketed in Colorado

GREELEY, CO – As gas and diesel costs continue to rise in Colorado, Gabe Evans STILL backs the main cause of this price hike: Donald Trump’s forever war in Iran.

Last night at Colorado Sun’s Live Issue Interview, Evans doubled down on his support for the war, a conflict he has voted 100% in favor of. He denied the facts that the war is the main cause of gas and diesel price increases, instead blaming state and local regulations that experts say have little to do with the rise in cost.

Evans is such a strong supporter of the war that he supports Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been a driving force behind the conflict, and his potential candidacy for president in 2028. Out of all potential Republican nominees, Evans said that he “always liked” Rubio and thinks his policies, like entering forever wars that make fuel unaffordable, are “common sense.”

At the same forum, Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, lambasted the forever war caused by Trump and Evans. Rutinel said that on day one of his time in Congress, he will push for “a war powers resolution to bring an end to this war in Iran, so that we can bring our troops home and also lower gas and diesel prices.”

October 19, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel Aims to Win Back CD-8 Latino Voters by Lowering Costs and Ending the Reckless Iran War

THORNTON, CO – New reporting from The Associated Press found that Latino voters in CD-8 blame Gabe Evans for the skyrocketing costs that are making it hard for them to make ends meet. Instead of listening to Coloradans, voters believe that Evans has instead been focused on being in lockstep with Donald Trump.

In case you missed it:

• “On a recent morning in Denver, Democratic state lawmaker Manny Rutinel stood before a crowd of union carpenters and rolled up his sleeve to show off a scar. The mark is from when he sold his blood more than 100 times to make ends meet.”

• “‘I’m the son of a single mom. She came to America to give me the American Dream. We worked hard for this country,’” Rutinel told the boisterous crowd that fanned out to canvas for him in one of the country’s most-watched races.

• “Rutinel has focused relentlessly on the economy since winning the nomination.”

• “‘The folks around the district feel they’ve been lied to and betrayed,” he said in an interview.’”

• “Jose Montalvo, a 47-year-old trucker, voted for Evans even though he supported Democrat Kamala Harris for president in 2024. He likes to split his ticket between the parties but does not think he will do that this year after he needed to change insurers and cellphone providers to save money.”

• “Montalvo is frustrated by Trump’s handling of gas prices, saying ‘I blame him for the fuel side of things.’ That is a criticism he extends to all Republicans.”

• “Maria del Carmen Rojas, a naturalized citizen who has lived in the United States for 36 years said she is shocked that any Latinos could back Trump and a modern Republican Party [...]”

• “She has four children who are U.S. citizens, including a son who served in the war in Afghanistan. She has spent her life working in factories and serving as a nanny to raise her children. Now she struggles to buy groceries.”

• “We Latinos contribute very much to this country, the taxes we pay, the service we provide,” she said.

Gas is at record highs because of Evans’ continuous support of Donald Trump’s reckless war in Iran, many in the district fear about affording health insurance following Evans vote to gut health care in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and his 100% voting record of Trump’s tariff policy is raising prices on all goods, including cell phones.

October 14, 2026 · Read the full release

Evans Spent the Most Taxpayer Dollars Out of Entire CO Congressional Delegation

THORNTON, CO – While Coloradans are struggling to make ends meet, Gabe Evans uses his constituents’ hard earned money to wine and dine out in DC.

A new article by Colorado Public Radio reports that from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, Evans spent $43,471 from his Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA), a taxpayer funded resource that can be used to “expense housing, whether it be hotels or rent, as well as meals and incidentals without providing receipts.” During that time period, Evans expensed the most out of the entire Colorado Congressional Delegation.

In case you missed it:

• “According to House data that was released during the time period covering January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, Republican Rep. Gabe Evans expensed the most of the Colorado delegation. Evans spent $43,471, with $31,421 going towards housing from January 2025 to May 2026. An additional $12,050 went towards meals and incidentals during that same time period.”

While Evans squeezed out every dime out of his constituents to fund his time in the least effective Congress ever, he made life unaffordable in CD-8. Gas and diesel prices are climbing with no end in sight because he continues to vote for the reckless war in Iran and his 100% voting record for Donald Trump’s corrupt, chaotic tariffs have made everything from housing to groceries expensive.

“Gabe Evans talks a lot about how Coloradans need to be more fiscally responsible," said Alex Terr, spokesperson for Manny for Colorado. “But he is totally fine with spending his constituents' money on his lifestyle. It’s time to elect Manny Rutinel who will work for Colorado’s working families, not bankrupt them for his own gain.”

October 13, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel highlights Evans’ support of Trump’s Iran War that has raised gas prices, work to prevent the release of the Epstein Files

THORNTON, CO – This week, Manny Rutinel for Congress released two new TV ads, “The Pump” and “The Truth.” “The Pump” is a $350,000 initial buy and “The Truth” is a $400,000 initial buy. Both ads will run on Denver TV and streaming across Colorado’s Eighth District.

In “The Pump,” which premieres today, Rutinel highlights how Gabe Evans raised Coloradans’ gas prices by voting 100% of the time with Donald Trump for the forever war in Iran and his corrupt, chaotic tariffs.

WATCH “THE PUMP”

Transcript

For families like yours and mine, single moms, people working two, three jobs, every dollar at the pump matters.

But Gabe Evans voted seven times for Trump's war, sending gas prices soaring, just like he voted for Trump's tariffs and Medicaid cuts to give billionaires tax breaks.

Evans votes 100% with Trump and our families pay for it. I'm Manny Rutinel. I'll fight to lower your costs. I approve this message because no family should have to choose between gas and groceries.

In “The Truth,” which premiered last Friday, Adams County District Attorney Brian S. Mason calls out Gabe Evans’ vote to cover up the Epstein Files while highlighting Rutinel’s work cracking down on child exploitation and strengthening reporting of child abuse.

WATCH “THE TRUTH”

Transcript

I'm the Adams County District Attorney and I've been a prosecutor for 20 years.

I want you to know the truth.

Gabe Evans voted with Trump to cover up the Epstein files after he knew 14 year-old girls were sexually assaulted. It's disgraceful.

Manny Rutinel passed laws to crack down on child exploitation, strengthen reporting of child abuse, and protect kids in foster care.

Gabe Evans protected child predators. Manny Rutinel is protecting our kids.

I'm Manny Rutinel and I approve this message.

October 12, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO– On Saturday, the Denver Post included a front-page article about the dire state of health care in Colorado.

“Millions to Lose Plans” outlines how the Big Beautiful Bill not only cuts Affordable Care Act credits and Medicaid, it makes insurance costs go up for everyone. In case you missed it:

• As the article outlines, "insurers close options viewed as unprofitable, cutting back choices.”

• “Millions of people with private Medicare coverage are being forced to change their insurance for 2027 and will pay higher prices for prescriptions and medical care, prompting some experts to warn that more older Americans will face greater financial hardship.”

• “Major insurers, like UnitedHealth, Centene and state Blue Cross plans, have shuttered plans that they viewed as unprofitable in certain markets, leaving some people with fewer choices of policies, and even more limited choices of doctors in 2027.”

Gabe Evans voted for the largest Medicaid cuts in American history that could shut down three rural hospitals in CD-8 and put 200,000 Coloradans at risk of losing their health care. Now millions of Americans who use private insurance are now at risk of losing the care they need to survive due to corporate greed fueled by Evans and Donald Trump.

“Gabe Evans’ continued support of Donald Trump’s reckless health care cuts not only put folks who rely on critical programs like Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act at risk of losing their insurance, but also people who opted to keep their current private plan,” said Alex Terr, spokesperson for Manny for Colorado. “Manny Rutinel will lower healthcare costs to ensure every Coloradan has affordable, accessible healthcare.”

October 8, 2026 · Read the full release

During the debate, Manny Rutinel asked Evans to defend his record three times. He declined to answer any of Rutinel’s questions

BERTHOUD, CO– Last night on the debate stage, Manny Rutinel, Democratic Candidate for Colorado’s 8th District, asked Congressman Gabe Evans three separate questions about his record.

Instead of answering, Evans ducked all three.

First, Rutinel asked Evans about voting for the largest Medicaid cuts in history and ending the Affordable Care Act credits and if he regrets his decision:

“Yes or no? Do you regret kicking hundreds of 1000s of Coloradans and their families off of health care? Yes or no? Answer the question. Answer it. I'll give you time. You can have my time. Yes or no? Do you regret kicking folks off of the Affordable Care Act credits and Medicaid programs through the Big Beautiful Bill vote that you did?”

Evans did not answer.

Then, Rutinel gave Evans a chance to defend his reasoning for failing to release the Epstein Files that protect Donald Trump and his corporate cronies.

Evans did not answer.

Finally, Rutinel asked Evans if he regretted voting 7 times for the Iran War that has no end in sight, putting American military lives at risk, and is raising gas prices in Colorado:

“Do not regret at all sending American lives at risk and raising gas and diesel prices at home. Yes or no?”

Evans did not answer.

Once again, Gabe Evans could not answer why he stands 100% of the time with Donald Trump while making life unaffordable for his constituents.

“Even Gabe Evans knows his record is toxic,” said Alex Terr, spokesperson for Manny for Colorado. “Manny Rutinel gave him a chance on stage to answer for his time in Congress. And just like he has since taking office, he could not muster an answer. It is time for new leadership in CD-8 that advocates for their constituents and is proud of their record.”

October 8, 2026 · Read the full release

BERTHOUD, CO– Reporting on last night’s debate in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District underscored the stark contrast in this race: while Manny Rutinel focused on plans to lower costs - from reversing Medicaid cuts to ending tariffs, Gabe Evans “stood by his record of supporting Trump’s MAGA agenda on the major issues, like the Iran War and health care.”

Reporting from last night highlighted the most notable exchange of the night, where Rutinel directly called out Evans’ record of raising costs on Coloradans and his broken promises on the economy.

As the Denver Post noted, “After citing sky-high diesel and gas prices brought on by Trump’s war on Iran and the president’s ‘chaotic, corrupt tariff policies,’ Rutinel looked straight at his opponent: ‘Are you sure you want to run on the economy right now? If you want to run on the economy — fine, but I don’t think that’s a good look for you.’”

Read the highlights below:

Colorado Times-Recorder: “Running on the Economy Is ‘Not a Good Look’ for Evans, Says Rutinel During Debate”

Toward the end of his debate tonight with Gabe Evans, Democrat Manny Rutinel turned to the Republican incumbent, who’d been discussing Colorado’s economy, and said, “Now, I just got to say, he keeps bringing up the economy. Are you sure you want to run on the economy right now? Gas is at $4.20. Diesel is at $6.20 because of this forever war in Iran that put American lives at risk and raised gas and diesel prices at home. Grocery prices are going through the roof because of the corrupt, chaotic tariff policies that you are pushing, and healthcare insurance premiums are going through the roof because you’ve gutted the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

“If you want to run on the economy, fine, but I don’t think that’s a good look for you.”

[...]

Evans essentially stood by his record of supporting Trump’s MAGA agenda on the major issues, like the Iran War and health care.

“Iran is the leading sponsor of terrorism in the world, and they get a bump when Democrats project weakness abroad,” he said, doubling down on his response when asked this week by CBS4 political specialist Shaun Boyd yesterday if the war in Iran is working “at this point.” Evans nodded and said, “Yes.”

Evans said that Democratic policies in Colorado on oil-and-gas issues have caused fuel prices to increase — an argument he’s made before and has been fact-checked as false.

“You’re not fooling anyone in this crowd,” Rutinel told Evans at the debate, which took place at the sold-out Grace Place Auditorium. “Everyone here knows you’re the one raising gas and diesel prices. Gas and diesel prices have gone up 50% since this war in Iran.

“Look, Iran is the leading sponsor of terror, and they should never have a nuclear weapon. But there’s the saying that when you make diplomacy impossible, you make war inevitable. And Donald Trump and Gabe Evans have time and time again torn apart the agreements and put the entire world against us.”

On Medicaid, Evans again stood behind Trump, this time for the Medicaid changes in the Big Beautiful Bill, insisting that the number of Medicaid recipients has increased in Colorado since the bill was passed. But he didn’t say that the cuts aren’t expected to kick in until next year or that they’re already putting hospitals at risk. Experts predict that 80,000 people will lose Medicaid in Colorado due to the Big Beautiful Bill.

[...]

After the debate, Rutinel greeted supporters in the auditorium and later in the lobby, but there was no sign of Evans, who departed out the back door of the building without making an appearance.

Axios: “Evans, Rutinel clash in high-stakes congressional debate”

[...]

State of play: The on-stage standoff underscores the intensity of the race for one of Colorado's most competitive congressional seats.

Zoom in: The debate, hosted by the Surveyor in Berthoud, also exposed differences over health care, immigration and public safety.

• Rutinel called for reversing Medicaid cuts under Trump's law, creating a pathway to citizenship for longtime undocumented immigrants who work and pay taxes, and rolling back Trump's tariffs.

• Rutinel also pushed to ban congressional stock trading, prohibit corporate donations to politicians, impose congressional term limits and end the war with Iran.

CPR: “Gabe Evans and Manny Rutinel hold fiery debate in Colorado congressional swing seat race”

[...]

Rutinel in turn called Evans radical for supporting the massive Republican tax and spending package.

“You’re kicking hundreds of thousands of Coloradans off of healthcare, answer the question, ‘Do you regret backing the big beautiful bill?’” Rutinel said.

He also went after Evans for initially opposing a proposal in Congress to release the Epstein files and said Evans sides with Trump time and again.

“He only responds to one man, he only seeks the approval of one man, and that’s Donald Trump,” Rutinel said.

“We need leaders that will hold accountable to anyone who breaks the law.”

[...]

Denver Post: “Barbed comments, and sharper rejoinders, dominate debate in Colorado’s 8th District”

[...]

“Gabe Evans is literally taking healthcare from families and seniors,” Rutinel said, referring to Medicaid cuts that were part of the Republican president’s giant tax and spending bill, legislation that was passed last year by congressional Republicans.

[...]

After citing sky-high diesel and gas prices brought on by Trump’s war on Iran and the president’s “chaotic, corrupt tariff policies,” Rutinel looked straight at his opponent: “Are you sure you want to run on the economy right now? If you want to run on the economy — fine, but I don’t think that’s a good look for you.”

[...]

Colorado Newsline: Candidates in crucial Colorado congressional district trade barbs over voting records

[...]

Rutinel said he wants to restore Affordable Care Act tax credits and expand Medicaid so health insurance will be more affordable. He also blamed the war in Iran and Trump’s tariffs for increasing the cost of living. Evans, who voted against a war powers resolution to direct Trump to remove U.S. troops from Iran, did not mention the conflict in Iran. He flagged past comments Rutinel has made against the oil and gas industry as well as anti-factory farming stances.

[...]

The economy would be “in a much better spot” if Trump and Evans focused on the economy instead of targeting immigrants, Rutinel said.

“Right now, Donald Trump and Gabe Evans are trying to find new ways to torment our immigrant neighbors,” Rutinel said. “They’re using masked ICE agents without judicial warrants. They are raiding schools and hospitals to rip families apart.”

October 7, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel underscores commitment to fighting for working families, calls out Evans for voting with Trump 100% of the time as prices skyrocket

BERTHOUD, CO– Manny Rutinel won tonight’s debate in Colorado’s 8th District, laying out his plan to lower costs for working families and holding Gabe Evans accountable for voting with Trump’s cost-raising agenda 100% of the time.

Tonight’s debate made the choice clear in this race: while Rutinel has a record of leading efforts to lower costs and support working people, Gabe Evans has spent his time in Congress standing with Trump and voting to slash health care and make life more expensive for Colorado families.

“Tonight, voters saw exactly who is fighting for them. It’s clear Manny is the only candidate Coloradans can trust to put their needs first in Congress,” said Clay Volino, Campaign Manager for Rutinel for Congress. “Manny has spent his time in office getting results for families, and he is going to take the same approach in Congress to bring down the costs of health care, groceries, and rent and take on corruption. Coloradans know that Gabe Evans chooses Trump over this district every single time, and they are ready for change come November.”

Rutinel enters the final weeks of the race backed by Colorado's largest unions, including UFCW and the United Farm Workers, along with more than 65,000 grassroots donors, over 1,000 volunteers and more than 100 elected officials.

October 7, 2026 · Read the full release

Evans’ vote could kick 200,000 Coloradans off their health care

BERTHOUD, CO– Gabe Evans lied about his voting record tonight. On the debate stage with Manny Rutinel, Democratic candidate for Colorado’s 8th district, Evans falsely claimed he did not cut Medicaid.

Here are the facts: Evans voted for the OBBBA, which included the largest Medicaid cuts in history and has hurt Coloradans across the state and in CO-08. Approximately 200,000 Coloradans could lose their health care due to Evans’ vote, and at least three rural hospitals in the district are at risk of closing due to Evans’ ‘life-threatening vote.’

Instead of protecting access to affordable health care for working families, Evans voted to give billionaires permanent tax breaks.

This is not the first time Evans lied about his cuts to health care. Evans falsely promised that there would not be any cuts to ‘people who need it most.’ But one in four people in CO-08 rely on Medicaid and thousands of patients who are served by at-risk hospitals are at risk of losing access to care.

“Gabe Evans keeps lying about his record because he can’t admit to the people who elected him that he went to Congress and slashed their health care so he could give tax breaks to his billionaire friends. Coloradans can’t afford another term of Gabe Evans’ price-hiking agenda,” said Alex Terr, spokesperson for Manny for Colorado. “Like many Coloradans, Manny Rutinel grew up in a family that relied on Medicaid and knows how vital these programs are for working families in Colorado. When elected, Manny will fight from day one to reverse these devastating cuts and ensure that every Coloradan can afford the health care they need.”

October 7, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel will continue to center Gabe Evans’ record voting 100% of the time with Trump to raise costs on Coloradans, including voting to gut Medicaid and food assistance programs

BERTHOUD, CO– Manny Rutinel takes the debate stage tonight at Grace Place Auditorium as the only candidate running in Colorado’s Eighth District who consistently puts Colorado families first. In sharp contrast to Gabe Evans, who votes with Trump and his reckless, cost-hiking agenda 100% of the time, Rutinel is running to lower health care, grocery, utility, and housing costs for Coloradans, fight for working families, and end corruption in Washington.

Tonight, Rutinel will focus on his plans to lower costs – including by ending Trump’s reckless tariffs that are hurting families and small businesses, restoring Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding, and ending Trump’s war in Iran that’s raising prices here at home – while holding Evans accountable for failing Colorado families.

“I still remember being 10 years old, sitting at the kitchen table filling out Medicaid and food stamp forms. Those are the same programs Donald Trump and Gabe Evans are destroying to give their billionaire donors a tax break. Growing up, I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. I’ve fought for working families like mine in the Colorado State House, and now I’m running for Congress in Colorado’s 8th District to lower costs and take on corruption,” said Rutinel.

HERE’S A REFRESH ON RUTINEL AND EVANS’ RECORDS:

In the Colorado House, Rutinel:

• Led legislation to improve rural health care.

• Voted to crack down on grocery price gouging when prices are raised more than 10% during a declared disaster emergency.

• Voted to expand insulin access by streamlining availability and establishing strict manufacturing noncompliance rules under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

• Voted to cut childhood poverty in half and make it easier for families with children to make ends meet.

• Expanded housing families can afford by investing up to $50 million in starter homes for first-time buyers and co-sponsoring a law to build affordable housing near transit.

• Protected Colorado farmers and ranchers land from foreign adversaries. In 2024, he was the only Democrat on the House State Affairs Committee to vote to advance a bill that would have barred entities tied to governments like China and Russia from buying Colorado farmland, mineral rights, and water rights.

• Supported expanding Colorado's Agricultural Future Loan Program, addressed cattle theft, supported the Cottage Foods Act, and led the law cutting red tape for food trucks.

• Prioritized public safety and led a bipartisan crackdown on human trafficking, giving local governments new tools to shut down illicit businesses tied to trafficking. The bill passed the House 63-0 and was signed into law.

• Funded law enforcement, voting to deliver $2 billion in funding to state and local departments.

• Has never taken corporate PAC money.

In the U.S. House, Evans:

• Votes with Trump 100% of the time to raise costs on Coloradans.

• Cast the deciding vote for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, a program more than one in four Coloradans in the Eighth District rely on.

• Voted to double health insurance premiums for working Coloradans.

• Voted at least eight times for reckless tariffs that are driving up costs for families and small businesses.

• Voted 7 times to greenlight another forever war in Iran, calling it “the best foreign policy in decades.”

• Broke his promise to protect Colorado energy jobs.

October 5, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO – On Saturday, Manny Rutinel joined Carpenters and Millwrights Local 555 and Colorado Attorney General and Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Weiser for a Day of Action canvass launch.

Rutinel emphasized the competitiveness of the race, especially as President Trump and Gabe Evans aim to continue making life harder for workers in order to appease their billionaire donors. After the kickoff, union members spread throughout the district to knock doors and had conversations with 8th District voters about Manny’s plan to fight for fair wages, strong benefits, and lower costs for Colorado families.

In stressing how he will support carpenters and other union members in Colorado, Rutinel highlighted his past work in the state legislature, “when Donald Trump and Gabe Evans started destroying OSHA, we here in Colorado brought a bill called the Colorado Worker Safety Act, so that labor unions, when they are put at risk by their corporate employers, they're able to fight back.”

October 2, 2026 · Read the full release

Manny Rutinel’s campaign will join a Day of Action canvass launch this Saturday, held by Carpenters and Millwrights Local 555. Union members will join the campaign for a kickoff and training before going to knock doors and have conversations with 8th District voters about Manny’s plan to fight for fair wages, strong benefits, and good jobs.

WHO: Former State Rep. Manny Rutinel, Democratic Nominee for CO CD-08, Carpenters and Millwrights Local 555

WHERE: Denver, CO; address upon RSVP.

WHEN: 9:00 AM Saturday, October 3

RSVP: All press must RSVP to alex@mannyforcolorado.com

September 28, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO– Last weekend, Manny Rutinel’s campaign held a Day of Action canvass launch, joined by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and over 115 volunteers.

Rutinel and Neguse emphasized the competitiveness of the race, especially as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue to dump dark money into Congressman Gabe Evans’ campaign. After the kickoff, volunteers spread throughout the district to knock doors and had conversations with 8th District voters about Manny’s plan to lower costs, stop corruption, and fight for working families.  

In stressing how Evans and Trump’s work to skyrocket everyday prices impacts himself and all Coloradans, Rutinel told volunteers, “I want you to remind [voters] that when Gabe Evans cut Medicaid, he was going after people like me who grew up on Medicaid. And when Donald Trump and Gabe Evans sent us into that forever war in Iran without any plans to put American lives at risk, he raised gas prices on the kid that, on his way to his McDonald's shift, had to turn off his car at red lights to save gas money.”

September 25, 2026 · Read the full release

When asked how he’d overcome the challenges of lowering costs, Evans did not answer

COMMERCE CITY, CO– As Congressman Gabe Evans and Donald Trump continue to make Coloradans’ lives more and more unaffordable, Evans had the chance to explain how he would lower prices.

When asked by Colorado Public Radio, “how would you get past the challenges that have made it difficult to bring costs down?”, Evans did not answer. Instead, he again lied about the true cause of rising gas prices in the state.  

The war in Iran has caused not just a nationwide, but global uptick in fuel costs. Congressman Gabe Evans is once again falsely blaming Coloradans for pain at the pump. Since the reckless conflict began last February, gas prices in Colorado have skyrocketed over $4 a gallon.  

According to AAA Colorado, local and state regulations have little to do with soaring gas prices. Rather the staggering rise at the pump is due to the increase in crude oil prices, mainly impacted due to global factors – like Evans’ forever war in Iran.

Once again, Evans is trying to run away from his own record of giving his billionaire cronies tax cuts while making life miserable for farmers, food stamp recipients, and those seeking desperately needed health care. And still, he cannot answer how he would himself lower prices for working Coloradans.

September 24, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel was endorsed by Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps last week

COMMERCE CITY, CO– Today, Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, released his “Plan to Keep Our Communities Safe,” a comprehensive proposal that details Rutinel’s top public safety priorities once elected to Congress.

Rutinel’s plan draws on his strong track record in the state legislature of working across the aisle to hold criminals accountable, protect families, and fund state and local law enforcement. It also comes shortly after Rutinel was endorsed by Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps.

“Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe in their community,” said Rutinel. “In the State House, I worked across party lines to invest in law enforcement, crack down on child predators, and stop human trafficking. I’m ready to take the same approach in Congress to keep families safe. That means making sure state and local police have the training and resources they need, stopping the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into our communities, and holding criminals accountable.”  

Rutinel’s multi-pronged plan calls for:

• Funding state and local law enforcement,

• Cracking down on fentanyl, “tranq,” and next generation drugs – including by securing the southern border,

• Protecting Coloradans from cyber crimes, including misuse of AI technology,

• Investing in community needs – including resources for state and local police and first responders, mental health and addiction treatment, lower health care and housing costs, and improved public education.

Read the full plan here.

In the state legislature, Rutinel worked across the aisle to keep Coloradans safe. His record includes:

• Investing over $2 billion in Colorado law enforcement, including joining a bipartisan push backed by Colorado's County Sheriffs to create a $350 million fund to recruit, train, and retain police officers,

• Leading a new law to crack down on human trafficking,

• Toughening penalties against child sex offenders,

• Protecting survivors of child abuse and neglect,

• Being recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Colorado as a 2026 Legislative Champion for advancing multiple bills to keep Coloradans safe on the roads.

“Manny Rutinel is committed to keeping our communities safe. Manny worked across the aisle to protect children from predators and led a bipartisan effort to crack down on human trafficking in Colorado. Now, more than ever, we need leaders in Congress who are committed to the rule of law and to keeping our communities safe. Manny is such a leader,” said Adams County District Attorney Brian Mason, a prosecutor for over 20 years.

September 22, 2026 · Read the full release

Rutinel vows to lower costs for families, fight corruption; highlights Evans’ record voting 100% with Trump

COMMERCE CITY, CO– This week, Manny Rutinel for Congress released two new TV ads, “Families Like Mine” and “Your Corner.” Both ads will run on Denver broadcast, cable, and streaming across Colorado’s Eighth District as part of a six figure ad buy. “Your Corner” is jointly funded by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

In “Families Like Mine,” Rutinel highlights how he’ll fight to lower costs for families and take on corruption in Washington.

WATCH “FAMILIES LIKE MINE”

Transcript

Families like mine don't have millions of dollars to give to politicians.

Single moms, kids on Medicaid, folks working two or three jobs, and we're getting ripped off by corporations buying off Congress.

I'm Manny Rutinel. I don't take their money. And in Congress, I'll fight to ban corporate donations to politicians, ban stock trading by Congress and finally pass term limits.

I approve this message to get Congress working for us.

In “Your Corner,” Rutinel calls out Gabe Evans’ record voting 100% of the time with Trump – including to cut Medicaid, double health insurance premiums, protect cost-hiking tariffs, and greenlight a reckless war in Iran.

WATCH “YOUR CORNER”

Transcript

The first fighter I ever knew never threw a punch. My mom worked two jobs and we survived on Medicaid during tough times. She always fought for us.

Gabe Evans only fights for Trump. He's in Trump's corner. He votes 100% with Trump. He voted to cut Medicaid, double health insurance premiums, [and] for the war and tariffs raising our gas and grocery bills.

I'm Manny Rutinel. My mom taught me to fight for what matters.

September 21, 2026 · Read the full release

WESTMINSTER, CO– Yesterday, Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, hosted a watch party at Westminster’s Backyard Sports Lounge for the Broncos as they came back from 17-0 to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars. During the game, Rutinel spoke with fellow rabid Broncos fans about their most pressing issues including the cost of living crisis, cuts to Medicaid, and blatant corruption occurring in Washington.

More from The Brighton Blade:

• Congressional candidate Manny Rutinel says he wants to find more common ground for people to gather in a badly divided country.  

• “So what’s a better place to get people together than the Broncos?” Rutinel said Sunday as a rowdy crowd cheered on the Broncos at Westminster’s Backyard Sports Lounge.

• Rutinel’s staff set up a watch party for Broncos fans at the bar so Rutinel could meet and talk to prospective voters and get their ideas on pressing issues. Plus, the idea of cheering on the Broncos seems like a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon, he said.

• “I want to create a community, and bring people together,” Rutinel said. “This is a good place to start.”

• “He stands for everything I believe in,” [Brighton resident Gary] Livingston said. “He says what he means, and he doesn’t get rattled.”

September 15, 2026 · Read the full release

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. — Today, Manny Rutinel’s campaign for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District launched its first Spanish-language TV ad, “Tercera Base,” focused on Rutinel’s bio, lowering costs of healthcare, groceries, and housing, and stopping corruption. 

Watch the ad here.

In the ad, Rutinel narrates in Spanish his story of growing up on Medicaid and being raised by a hardworking single mom and his time as an economist in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He then emphasizes his frustration with political corruption and walks voters through his work to lower insulin prices, crack down on grocery price gouging, and building more affordable housing in the Colorado State House. 

The ad will be backed by a buy of at least $50,000 on Spanish-language broadcast TV and digital platforms.

September 8, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO–The New York Times highlighted how Trump and Evans’ trade war has come to define the race for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, where their policies have led to rising grocery costs, expensive fuel and fertilizer, and cheap beef imports that hurt blue-collar workers, farmers, and ranchers. While Evans and Trump keep making life more expensive, Manny Rutinel has emphasized his working-class upbringing while running for Congress to lower costs. In case you missed it:

The New York Times: Trump’s Trade War Is Shaping The Fight For Congress

• “Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are struggling against factors beyond their control, with higher costs for fuel and fertilizer resulting from President Trump’s decision to wage a trade war featuring steep tariffs and an actual war against Iran.”

• “In the more competitive Eighth Congressional District immediately north of Denver, with its mix of economically pressed blue-collar workers and ranchers, Representative Gabe Evans… emphasized his allegiance to the president. He has been a reliable supporter of Mr. Trump’s tariff policy…”

• “Mr. Evans is being challenged by Manny Rutinel…who emphasizes his family’s economic struggles as he was growing up — noting that he used to sell his blood plasma to help pay the bills.”

• “Mr. Rutinel said Mr. Evans’s constituents deserved a change given the congressman’s support of White House policies making their lives unaffordable.”

• “‘Tariffs are the reason why our grocery prices are soaring at the moment, and they are also at the same time kicking the teeth of our farmers and ranchers and putting their livelihoods at risk,’ Mr. Rutinel said. ‘And Gabe Evans has been in lock step with Donald Trump in enabling these policies that are making life impossible in America.’”

September 1, 2026 · Read the full release

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. — Today, State Rep. Manny Rutinel’s campaign for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District launched its first TV ad of the general election. “Third Base,” focused on Rutinel’s bio, lowering costs of healthcare, groceries, and housing, and stopping corruption. 

Watch the ad here.

In the ad, Rutinel describes growing up on Medicaid and being raised by a hardworking single mom and his time as an economist in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He then emphasizes his frustration with political corruption and walks voters through his work to lower insulin prices, crack down on grocery price gouging, and building more affordable housing in the Colorado State House. 

The ad will be backed by a buy of at least $225,000 on broadcast TV and digital platforms.

August 27, 2026 · Read the full release

Thornton, CO — Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, hosted a meet and greet at the Tacos Los Viejones food truck this week to talk with Coloradans about the urgent need to lower costs for families and small businesses, drawing a sharp contrast with Rep. Gabe Evans who voted for reckless, cost-hiking tariffs and to cut Medicaid and SNAP for families across the district. 

“Colorado families and small businesses are getting squeezed by high costs because of Gabe Evans and Donald Trump,” said Rutinel. “I've spent my career finding ways to lower costs so working people can get ahead. That's the record I'll take to Congress, and it's exactly the opposite of what Gabe Evans is delivering for this district.”

Evans voted for the final passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill on July 3, 2025. The law cuts roughly $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office — a threat to the 191,837 constituents in Colorado's 8th District who rely on Medicaid, more than one in four people in the district. It also enacts the largest cut to federal food assistance in the nation's history. While the numbers don’t lie, Evans has repeatedly denied the cuts. Confronted by a colleague on camera in the hours before the vote, Evans insisted, “We're not cutting Medicaid.” 

On top of gutting health care and food assistance, Evans has jacked up costs on Coloradans by repeatedly voting to protect reckless tariffs that are hiking prices on families and small businesses. A whopping 86% of Colorado businesses saying that Evans’ tariffs are a challenge, and many are being forced to make “tough decisions… [on] whether to raise prices, take less salary, cut employees, or whether they can even keep their doors open.”

Rutinel pointed to his own record in the state legislature as the alternative. As a state representative, Manny helped pass legislation to lower housing costs, help families make ends meet, and improve rural health care. He also led the food-truck law that cut licensing costs and red tape for small businesses across Colorado.

August 27, 2026 · Read the full release

Commerce City, CO — Manny Rutinel, Democratic nominee for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, was today endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All, the nation's oldest and largest reproductive rights organization, representing more than four million members nationwide. 

The endorsement follows Rutinel's endorsement from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and underscores his unwavering record of fighting to protect women’s health care, including as a cosponsor of SB25 129, which shields Colorado abortion providers and patients from out-of-state investigation and prosecution under the Trump administration. 

“When it comes to abortion, the government needs to respect Americans’ freedom to make our own decisions about our own families without interference from politicians or anyone else. Politicians have no place in a private medical decision,” said Rutinel. 

Reproductive Freedom for All joins Planned Parenthood in backing Manny Rutinel as he continues to make access to health care a central focus of his campaign. The endorsement comes as Rutinel takes on Rep. Gabe Evans, who blatantly lied to Coloradans about cutting their Medicaid. Gabe Evans continues working to ban abortion, siding with anti-choice extremists and attempting to hide his record. Between Rutinel and Evans, the contrast could not be clearer who will stand up for Coloradans’ health care.

August 24, 2026 · Read the full release

THORNTON, CO–Yesterday, Manny Rutinel’s campaign held a Day of Action canvass launch, joined by U.S. Reps. Jamie Raskin, Brittany Pettersen, and over 100 volunteers. 

Rutinel, Raskin, and Pettersen emphasized the importance of this year’s midterm elections and the need to lower costs for Coloradans in their remarks. After the kickoff, volunteers spread throughout the district to knock doors and had conversations with 8th District voters about Manny’s plan to lower costs, stop corruption, and fight for working families.  

In emphasizing his platform of lowering costs for working families, Rutinel told volunteers: “I grew up on the same Medicaid and food stamp programs that Trump and Evans are destroying to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors. I know what working people in this district are having to go through with rising costs. Corporate PAC donations are flowing to Gabe Evans, the same corporations raising the price of your gas, healthcare, and groceries, and we need to put a stop to it.”

August 20, 2026 · Read the full release

Manny Rutinel’s campaign will be holding a Day of Action canvass launch this Sunday, joined by U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin. Volunteers will join the campaign for a kickoff and training before going to knock doors and have conversations with 8th District voters about Manny’s plan to lower costs, stop corruption, and fight for working families. 

WHO: State Rep. Manny Rutinel, Democratic Nominee for CO CD-08, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, volunteers

WHERE: Thornton, CO; address upon RSVP. 

WHEN: 10:30 AM Sunday, August 23

RSVP: All press must RSVP to clay@mannyforcolorado.com

August 14, 2026 · Read the full release

COMMERCE CITY, CO–Congressman Gabe Evans can’t defend his record. This week alone, Evans refused to return thousands in campaign cash from donors facing allegations of domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation and wouldn’t answer why he cut SNAP, taking food away from nearly 100,000 hungry Coloradans in his district. 

It’s no wonder his former voters are turning to Manny Rutinel. In case you missed it:

CTR: Gabe Evans Won’t Say if He’ll Return Donations from Disgraced Republican

• U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) received $5,000 in donations from the political action committee tied to the congressman at the heart of a growing domestic violence scandal. 

• Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) has been accused by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, of holding a gun to her head and throwing hot water at her.

• Miller couldn’t say when he last used illegal drugs and … [posted] a partially nude photo of his toddler.

• Neither Evans’ reelection campaign nor his congressional press office responded to an email request for comment on the allegations against Miller or on whether he plans to return the donations.

• Miller isn’t the only disgraced Republican to have donated to Evans’ reelection. Evans received $1,000 from Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) …the House Ethics Committee …found “substantial reason to believe Representative Edwards violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces.”

• Evans received $5,000 in donations from the Honor Courage Commitment PAC affiliated with former Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who admitted to having an affair with a married staffer who later died by self-immolation. 

9News: Republican Congressman Gabe Evans sidesteps questions on SNAP benefit losses at an event with the agriculture secretary.

• “There are about 90,000 people in your Congressional District who receive SNAP benefits. How many do you think, or do you expect to lose these food benefits? And why is that a positive for taxpayers?” Zelinger asked.

• Between the May 2025 event about Medicaid and Tuesday’s event where Evans was asked about SNAP, he did not answer how many were at risk of losing coverage.

• Being able to ask those questions, though, is more than many of his constituents can claim. Evans has held telephone town halls, but nothing in person.

• For the third time in six weeks, Colorado Congressman Gabe Evans met with a member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Meeting in person with his own constituents is not as easy.

NYT: ‘Shame!’: An ICE Facility Roils a Tiny Town, With a House Seat in Play

• “Diana and Ernesto Cruz, who live in nearby Fort Lupton, Colo., voted Republican in 2024 after being fed up with inflation and scenes of chaos along the southern border. But they said Mr. Trump’s crackdown had gone too far, and they did not want an ICE detention center down the road.”

• “They are planning to vote for Mr. Rutinel in November. ‘There are more important things,’ Mr. Cruz said on Wednesday, as he parked his big-rig truck outside the couple’s American flag-draped home.”

August 10, 2026 · Read the full release

WELD COUNTY, CO–A new New York Times report from Colorado's Eighth Congressional District reveals that Gabe Evans' embrace of Trump’s overly aggressive immigration crackdown and a massive new ICE detention center on the district's doorstep could further doom his re-election chances. Multiple voters who backed Republicans in 2024 told the Times that they will vote for Manny Rutinel this November because Evans’ and Trump’s crackdown has gone “too far.”

The reporting captures why this district is in play:

• Republican voters are crossing over. As reported in the New York Times, “Diana and Ernesto Cruz, who live in nearby Fort Lupton, Colo., voted Republican in 2024 after being fed up with inflation and scenes of chaos along the southern border under former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. But they said Mr. Trump’s immigration crackdown had gone too far, and they did not want an ICE detention center down the road. They are planning to vote for Mr. Rutinel in November. “There are more important things,” Mr. Cruz said on Wednesday, as he parked his big-rig truck outside the couple’s American flag-draped home.”

• Evans owns this facility — and won't talk about it. The detention center sits on the border of Evans' heavily Latino district. He's expressed support for centers like it; his office declined the Times’ request to discuss it.

• Constituents are fired up. Months of protests, a lawsuit over zoning and strain on local water, roads, and emergency services, and packed town meetings expose Coloradans’ frustrations in a district Evans won by less than a percentage point.

Evans is already vulnerable because he broke his promise to lower costs. Evans is responsible for: 

• Tariffs that raise the price of everything. Evans has repeatedly voted to protect Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs that are raising prices on families and small businesses. 

• An Iran war that is jacking up gas, diesel, and fertilizer prices. Thanks to Evans’ War in Iran, Colorado gas has topped $4.40 a gallon, up more than a dollar in a year, while diesel and fertilizer prices – which are essential for Colorado farmers – continue to climb. Evans is a staunch defender of the war and told Coloradans to just wait for prices to come down.

• Higher health care costs and gutted coverage. After calling health care his top priority, one of Evans's first votes of 2026 was against restoring the tax credits that keep insurance premiums down. Evans also cast a key vote to gut Medicaid, a program nearly 1 in 4 people – including half of all kids – in the Eighth District rely on.

August 10, 2026 · Read the full release

Manny Rutinel Accepts October Debate Invitation in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District 

COMMERCE CITY, CO – Today, Congressional candidate Manny Rutinel announced that he has accepted the invitation to participate in a candidate debate on Wednesday, October 7 in Berthoud, Colorado giving voters across the district a chance to hear from candidates before Election Day.

The candidate forum, hosted by The Surveyor, is expected to reach voters across CO-08.

“Voters in this district deserve to hear directly from the people asking for their vote, side by side and on the record. I’m glad to accept this invitation, and I hope Rep. Evans will do the same. The families of Colorado’s 8th district deserve a real debate about the issues that matter to them,” said Manny Rutinel. 

Rutinel called on Rep. Gabe Evans to confirm his participation so the forum can move forward on October 7. The debate would give residents an opportunity to hear the candidates address the issues and priorities shaping the November election. 

Constituents of Rep. Gabe Evans have been calling for Evans to hold a public, in person town hall for over a year to no avail; he is only hosting virtual town halls allowing him pick and choose who asks him questions on a live phone call. 

BACKGROUND

Manny Rutinel is the Democratic nominee for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District. For more information about Manny and his priorities, please visit www.MannyForColorado.com and follow him on Facebook @MannyForColorado, Twitter @MannyRutinel, and Instagram @mannyrutinel. 

June 30, 2026 · Read the full release

State Representative Manny Rutinel (D-Commerce City) released the following statement regarding the Democratic nomination for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District:

Tonight has shown that the son of a single mom who grew up working at McDonald's and filling out food stamp and Medicaid forms can go on to become an economist in the US Army Corps of Engineers, serve in the Colorado legislature, and now become the nominee for Congress in the most competitive seat in the country. 

Gabe Evans voted to gut health care and food assistance for over a million Coloradans, to protect price-hiking tariffs, and to greenlight another forever war that’s driving up gas prices for families. I’m running for Congress to fight for working families like mine: to lower prices on everything from health care to housing to gas to groceries, strengthen and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, stop corruption, and make the American Dream real again for all. 

Thank you to our over sixty five thousand grassroots donors, over one thousand volunteers, our team, and my family for helping make this momentous victory possible.

March 18, 2026 · Read the full release

3/18/26

Rutinel Wins in Landslide at County Democratic Assemblies

Rutinel Leads Colleagues on Holding ICE Accountable

Rutinel Continues to Lead in Fundraising; Over $3 Million Raised

U.S. Senator Cory Booker Endorses Rutinel

State Rep. Manny Rutinel’s momentum just keeps growing in the race for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, with monumental wins in the Democratic Party assembly process, leadership on holding ICE accountable, new endorsements, and continued strong fundraising cementing his position atop the Democratic primary field and preparing a strong campaign to take on Gabe Evans. 

Rutinel Overwhelmingly Wins County Democratic Assemblies; Opponents Drop Out

• Rutinel earned 83% of the vote at the Larimer County Democratic Assembly; the first in-district county to hold their assembly, leading Shannon Bird to drop out of the Democratic Party assembly process before the other two counties in the district held their assemblies. 

• Over 90% of delegates at the Adams County and Weld County Assemblies then voted to support Rutinel. 

• In every recent election, every Colorado Democrat to win at Assembly and lead in fundraising has won their primary (for statewide or Congressional office). 

• Our campaign’s grassroots strength isn’t new. Over 100 volunteers joined Rutinel’s first canvass launch in January, and over 1,000 volunteers have joined the team in total. 

Rutinel Leads on ICE, Labor Accountability

• Rutinel led over 30 legislative colleagues in calling for oversight into previously secret ICE facilities that violated even ICE’s own rules for detention. Rutinel visited the facility in Frederick, CO in an attempt to conduct oversight directly; driving coverage of the issue (FOX31 KDVR Denver; Colorado Times Recorder; CTR; La Opinión). 

• This leadership on ICE and advantage in grassroots support comes after Rutinel’s primary opponent, Shannon Bird, was the only Democrat to vote against limiting cooperation with ICE in Colorado and against keeping ICE out of Colorado schools and hospitals. 

• Rutinel also stood with UFCW 7 members on strike against JBS in Greeley calling for higher wages and better conditions (Greeley Tribune; Denver Post)

Manny Rutinel Maintains Fundraising Lead

• Rutinel has raised over $3 million for his campaign as of late February, compared to just $1.2 million for his closest Democratic opponent as of the most recent filing.

• Over 58,000 grassroots donors have supported Rutinel’s campaign.

Manny Rutinel Grows Endorsement List

• Yesterday, Rutinel announced the endorsement of US Sen. Cory Booker: the first sitting U.S. Senator to endorse in this primary

• Rutinel also recently added the support of Rocky Mountain Equality Action Fund.

• Rutinel has also earned endorsements from CHC BOLD PAC, 314 Action, Latino Victory Fund, former U.S. Senators Ken Salazar and Gary Hart, U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Emily Randall, Robert Garcia, and Rob Menendez, and over 100 elected leaders. 

February 18, 2026 · Read the full release

Tommy Butler, Deb DeBoutez Endorse State Representative Manny Rutinel in Race for CO-08

GREELEY, COLO. — February 18, 2026 — State Representative Manny Rutinel (D-Commerce City) announced today that Greeley City Councilmembers Tommy Butler and Deb DeBoutez have endorsed his campaign for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District. 

Having worked in Greeley city government for over a decade and now on City Council, I know how important it is for our city to have strong partners at all levels of government. I’m proud to endorse State Representative Manny Rutinel for Congress because of his track record on education, infrastructure, affordability, and safety that impact us all and his continued commitment to strong engagement with local government, said Deb DeBoutez, Greeley City Councilmember.

Colorado has become too expensive for working people. On the Greeley City Council, I’ve fought to make housing more affordable, and Manny Rutinel is the champion of affordability Greeley needs on the federal level. Manny grew up working class, flipping McDonalds burgers to help make ends meet, and he has fought hard to pass bills to lower costs at the State House. I’m endorsing him for Congress because that’s the perspective and leadership we need right now, said Tommy Butler, Greeley City Councilmember and HD 50 candidate.

March 6, 2026 · Read the full release

3/6/26

FREDERICK, COLO. — Yesterday evening, State Representative and CO-08 congressional candidate Manny Rutinel visited the ICE “hold room” facility in Frederick, Colorado, one of at least nine previously undisclosed detention sites federal data shows have been quietly operating across the state. More than 3,000 people have been held in these facilities, including children as young as one year old, in some cases for weeks at a time, all in violation of ICE's own rules.

Rutinel made the visit to shed light on these dark facilities. ICE officials refused to answer the door when he visited. 

“Clearly, these are secretive facilities that ICE doesn’t want the public to know about, operating outside of ICE’s own guidelines, so we're going to do our part to put the pressure on our Congressional members to investigate and to subpoena where necessary to find out why these facilities are here. Gabe Evans has failed to do that, and Coloradans deserve better,” stated Rutinel. 

The visit follows a letter from State Rep. Rutinel’s office, cosigned by 31 legislative colleagues and reshared by over 1000 grassroots supporters, which also called for transparency and oversight into these secret ICE detention facilities. 

Raw video of the visit is available upon request.

February 27, 2026 · Read the full release

2/27/26

Rutinel Raises Over $3 Million Total and Over $500,000 so far in Q1

Former Interior Secretary, U.S. Senator Ken Salazar Endorses Rutinel Former CO-08 Candidate Baca-Oehlert adds to Endorsement List

Grassroots Base Includes Hundreds of Volunteers

Manny Rutinel continues to hold the momentum in the race for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, with surging fundraising numbers, endorsements, and grassroots support, positioning him atop the Democratic primary field and preparing a strong campaign to take on Gabe Evans. 

Manny Rutinel Accelerates Fundraising Lead

• Rutinel has raised over $3 million for his campaign, compared to just $1.2 million for his closest Democratic opponent as of the most recent filing

• Today, Rutinel announced raising over $500,000 in the first 56 days of the first quarter - already outpacing his last three quarters with over a month to go

• Over 55,000 grassroots donors have supported Rutinel’s campaign 

• Over 99% of donations are for $200 or less

• Rutinel is the only legislator in the race who’s never taken corporate PAC money

While Rutinel Leads on Immigration, Opponents Support Working With ICE

• Rutinel cosponsored legislation to limit cooperation with ICE in Colorado and keep ICE out of Colorado schools and clinics; his primary opponent, Shannon Bird, was the only Democrat to vote against limiting cooperation with ICE in Colorado

Manny Rutinel Grows Endorsement List

• Last month, Rutinel announced the endorsement of Ken Salazar, former Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Senator from Colorado

• This week, former Colorado Education Association President and former CO-08 candidate Amie Baca-Oehlert endorsed Rutinel, citing his cosponsorship of a bill to limit ICE operations in Colorado, and that his main primary opponent sided with Republicans to oppose that bill to protect immigrants from ICE brutality

• Rutinel has also earned endorsements from CHC BOLD PAC, 314 Action, Latino Victory Fund, and U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Emily Randall, Robert Garcia, and Rob Menendez

Groundswell of Grassroots Support for Rutinel

• Over 100 volunteers joined Rutinel’s petition launch - an extraordinary number for a Congressional primary campaign

• Over 1000 volunteers total have signed up to join the team

• Hundreds of new supporters have met Rutinel at a series of meet-and-greets across the district 

January 5, 2026 · Read the full release

1/5/26

Rutinel Raises Over $425,000 in Q4; Over $1.2 Million Cash on Hand

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. — January 5, 2026 — State Representative Manny Rutinel (D-Commerce City) announced today that his campaign has raised over $2.5 million from over 44,000 individual donors so far in the race to defeat Congressman Gabe Evans in pivotal CO-08. This total includes over $425,000 raised in the fourth quarter from tens of thousands of grassroots donors who gave an average of just $23 each. Rutinel ended the year with over $1.2 million on hand. 

This fundraising success follows recent polling showing Rutinel polling 4 percentage points closer to Rep. Gabe Evans in a general election matchup compared to his closest Democratic primary opponent (Bird trails Evans 43%-48%, while Rutinel is statistically tied with Evans, 46%-47%). 

“This grassroots momentum – over 40,000 people pitching in an average of $23 – shows that Coloradans are ready for a new kind of leadership,” said Rutinel. “Teachers, nurses, and small-business owners are powering this campaign because they know Congress should work for the families who clock in every day, not for billionaires.”

Manny’s campaign is fueled by small-dollar contributions from everyday people looking for fresh leadership. Over 99% of donations have been under $100, demonstrating the broad coalition of support that will be necessary to win this seat in November 2026. 

Manny Rutinel’s Total Fundraising, By The Numbers: 

• Over $2.5 million raised

• Over 44,000 unique donors

• $23 average contribution

• Zero dollars from corporate PACs

March 11, 2025 · Read the full release

Press release available here.

January 28, 2025 · Read the full release

Press release available here.

January 27, 2025 · Read the full release

Press release available here.