The 2022 election cycle in Pueblo County, Colorado has seen an unprecedented surge in campaign fundraising, with over $19.2 million raised across key races on the ballot. This staggering figure underscores the high stakes and intense competition in the region, as candidates vie for crucial seats in Congress, the state legislature, and the county commission.

Fundraising Frenzy Grips Pueblo County Races

Congressional Clash Dominates Fundraising Landscape

The bulk of the $19.2 million raised has been directed towards the hotly contested 3rd Congressional District race, where Democratic candidate Adam Frisch has amassed over $16.3 million in contributions, while his Republican opponent, Jeff Hurd, has raised over $2.3 million. This disparity in fundraising highlights the national attention and resources being poured into this pivotal race.

State House and County Commission Races See Significant Investments

Beyond the congressional showdown, Pueblo County's state house and county commissioner races have also attracted significant financial backing. Democratic candidates for Colorado House Districts 46, 47, 60, and 62 have collectively raised over $114,000 and spent over $96,000, while their Republican counterparts have raised over $86,000 and spent over $63,000.In the Board of Pueblo County Commissioners races, Democratic candidates have reported over $136,000 in combined contributions and over $109,000 in combined expenditures, outpacing their Republican opponents who have raised over $35,000 and spent over $24,000.

Incumbent Commissioner's Claim of 100% Local Funding Challenged

One particularly contentious aspect of the county commissioner races has been the claim by incumbent Eppie Griego, running as an independent, that all of his campaign contributions have come from "the people of Pueblo County." However, a review of campaign finance reports reveals that Griego has received contributions from outside the county, including a $500 donation from the Denver-based Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers Small Donor Committee and a $1,000 contribution from an individual in Tennessee.Griego's Democratic challenger, Miles Lucero, has defended the contributions he has received from donors outside of Pueblo County, arguing that he has connections and supporters across the country who believe in his vision for the county. Lucero has also pointed out that Griego's claim of 100% local funding is "a lie at worst" and an error at best.

Pueblo Voters Faced with Consequential Ballot Measures

In addition to the high-stakes races, Pueblo County voters will also be tasked with deciding on several important ballot measures that could reshape the city's charter. These measures, which aim to address issues such as term limits, the structure of city government, and the powers of the mayor, have the potential to have a lasting impact on the community.As Pueblo County residents prepare to cast their ballots, the unprecedented fundraising levels and the intensity of the campaigns underscore the significance of the decisions they will be making. The outcome of these races and ballot measures will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the region, making this election cycle one of the most consequential in recent memory.