Latino Voters Could Decide Colorado's 8th District
Republican Gabe Evans and Democrat Manny Rutinel are in a tight race as federal observers prepare to monitor Adams County voting centers.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
Latino voters could decide the close race in Colorado's 8th Congressional District on Election Day, November 3, 2026. The U.S. Department of Justice will post election observers at least 100 feet from Adams County voting centers after rejecting conditions set by the Colorado secretary of state's office.
Why it matters
The 8th District is officially 38% Latinx, and most of Adams County's active voters live within it, making the Latino vote central to the outcome. Many young Latino voters who backed Donald Trump in 2024 have soured on his leadership amid economic concerns and the Iran war.
The 8th District is officially 38% Latinx, and most of Adams County's active voters live in the district. The race between Gabe Evans and Manny Rutinel is close, and the final margin remains unknown ahead of Election Day.
The players
Gabe Evans
Republican U.S. Representative for Colorado's 8th Congressional District, seeking to hold his seat in a close contest.
Manny Rutinel
Democratic challenger in Colorado's 8th Congressional District, running against incumbent Gabe Evans.
Olivia Mendoza
Leader of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, an organization focused on civil rights and voting access.
The details
The U.S. Department of Justice rejected conditions the Colorado secretary of state's office set for entering voting centers and will post election observers at least 100 feet from Adams County voting centers. The Colorado secretary of state's office says it will take reports of voter intimidation seriously.
Timeline
Election Day and result counting in the 8th District fall on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The Justice Department's decision to post observers at least 100 feet from Adams County voting centers came after it rejected conditions set by the Colorado secretary of state's office. The counterpoint is that the state's own rules for voting centers were overridden by federal action.
Voters who experience signs of interference can report them to local election officials or the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). Spanish-language assistance is available at 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682).
The takeaway
Voters in Colorado's 8th District have concrete options if they encounter interference, including the Election Protection hotline and Spanish-language help lines. Latino voters' choices may determine the close outcome.
What happens next
Election Day is November 3, 2026, when voting and result counting in the 8th District take place.
Further reading
For more on the state's voting rules, see Elections coverage across Colorado.
