As the 2022 midterm elections approach, the campaign finance reports for Colorado's congressional races have been released, revealing significant fundraising and spending disparities between the candidates. The contests in the 3rd, 4th, and 8th congressional districts are particularly competitive, with Democrats holding a substantial cash advantage in each race.

Fundraising Frenzy: Democrats Dominate in Key Colorado Races

8th Congressional District: Caraveo Outpaces Evans in Fundraising and Spending

In the highly competitive 8th Congressional District, which stretches from Denver's northeastern suburbs to Greeley, Democratic candidate Yadira Caraveo has significantly outraised and outspent her Republican opponent, Gabe Evans. Caraveo raised nearly 0,000 from October 1 to October 16, compared to Evans' 4,000 haul. Caraveo also spent .6 million during the reporting period, with .4 million going towards advertising, and had .4 million in cash for the final weeks of the campaign. Evans, on the other hand, spent 2,000 — mostly on advertising — and had 3,000 in cash at the end of the reporting period.The race in the 8th District, which is considered one of the most competitive in the state, has also seen a significant influx of spending from super PACs. Super PACs have reported spending more than million on the contest through Friday morning, eclipsing the .6 million spent in the district in 2022. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, is the top spender in the district, at nearly .5 million reported through Friday morning. However, the spending to benefit Caraveo by super PACs — .5 million — has been greater than the roughly .6 million spent to help Evans, with the bulk of the total spending — million — being on negative messaging.

3rd Congressional District: Frisch Dominates Fundraising and Spending

In the 3rd Congressional District, which spans Colorado's Western Slope into Pueblo and southeastern Colorado, Democrat Adam Frisch continues to outpace his Republican opponent, Jeff Hurd, in fundraising and spending. Frisch reported raising 5,000 from October 1 through October 16, and spent .1 million during that period, mostly on advertising. He still had .4 million in campaign cash for the final stretch before Election Day. Hurd, on the other hand, raised 6,000, spent 0,000, and had 2,000 in the bank.While the 3rd District leans in the Republican's favor, it became competitive in 2022 due to the unpopularity of incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who has since switched congressional districts. The super PAC spending in the 3rd District race has been a fraction of the expenditures in the 8th District, but Republicans are ramping up their aid to Hurd, with the Congressional Leadership Fund spending more money this week to help him.

4th Congressional District: Calvarese Outpaces Boebert in Fundraising and Spending

In the 4th Congressional District, which spans the Eastern Plains into Loveland and Douglas County, Democrat Trisha Calvarese has significantly outraised and outspent her Republican opponent, incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. Calvarese raised 3,000 during the reporting period and spent .6 million, mostly on advertising. She had 7,000 in cash as of October 16. Boebert, on the other hand, raised about ,000 and spent 3,000, also on advertising, finishing the period with about 6,000 in cash.The 4th District has traditionally been a Republican stronghold, but Boebert's national unpopularity among Democrats has led to a fundraising boon for Calvarese. Super PACs are mostly ignoring the race so far, indicating that national Democrats and Republicans don't see the contest as competitive. The one outlier is Defeat Boebert PAC, a Florida-based federal super PAC formed this summer to oppose Boebert, which spent 0,000 on October 22 on digital ads attacking the congresswoman.