Julie Gonzales is a Colorado State Senator representing the 34th district (covering parts of Denver) since 2019. The 42-year-old is a progressive Democrat and experienced legislator who served as Senate Majority Whip. Born on the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona, Gonzales grew up in South Texas before moving to Colorado after graduating from Yale University in 2005. She announced her primary challenge against incumbent John Hickenlooper in December 2025, positioning herself as a progressive alternative to his moderate approach.
Gonzales is the daughter of a teacher and rancher. She worked as a community organizer for affordable housing, environmentalism, teachers and workers rights, college-preparatory education, and immigrants' rights before her 2018 state Senate election. She was hired by the Colorado Democratic Party and worked as field director for congressional campaigns. In the Colorado State Senate, she served as Majority Whip and on multiple key committees including Judiciary, Local Government & Housing, and Appropriations.