Member-led process backs candidates who stood with workers on affordability, healthcare, and strong unions
DENVER, CO — SEIU Colorado, uniting two SEIU union locals that bargain on behalf of more than 35,000 healthcare workers, janitors, airport workers, and public service workers across the state, will announce its first round of 2026 electoral endorsements at a press conference.
The endorsements include State Senator Julie Gonzales for U.S. Senate, along with candidates for Congress, statewide office, and the Colorado General Assembly who have demonstrated a record of standing with working people — from championing legislation to raise wages to joining workers on picket lines as they fought for better pay, affordable healthcare, and the ability to live in the communities they serve.
“These endorsements reflect the collective judgment of working people across Colorado,” said Kallie Leyba, Executive Director of SEIU Colorado. “Our members are caregivers, janitors, airport workers, and state employees who keep this state running. When we endorse, it means workers have looked closely at who will actually deliver results — lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and ensuring working families can afford to live in Colorado. We have the power to shape elections, and we will use it to elect leaders who put working people first.”
SEIU Colorado’s endorsements follow a rigorous, member-led evaluation process that included candidate interviews and a review of candidates’ records.
“Candidates cannot simply expect our endorsement — they must earn it,” said Hilary Glasgow, Executive Director of Colorado WINS. “State workers and service workers led this process. We asked tough questions and evaluated who has consistently shown up for workers, not just during campaigns but when the cameras are gone — during legislative fights and workplace organizing. The candidates we are endorsing have proven they believe workers deserve a real voice in their workplaces and in our democracy.”
Union leaders emphasized the endorsement sets a clear standard for those seeking support from working people in Colorado.
“We’re facing an affordability crisis, and workers know the solution isn’t asking them to sacrifice more,” said Stephanie Felix-Sowy, President of SEIU Local 105. “The solution is strong unions — workers negotiating better wages, benefits, and protections so they can afford housing, healthcare, and to raise a family in Colorado. The candidates we’re endorsing understand that, and they’ve shown it by standing with workers when it mattered. If you want the support of SEIU members, you must be willing to stand with workers’ right to organize and win real improvements in people’s lives.”
Endorsed Candidates
U.S. Senate
Julie Gonzales
U.S. House of Representatives – Congressional District 1
Diana DeGette
Statewide Offices
Attorney General – Jena Griswold
Secretary of State – Jessie Danielson
State Treasurer – Jeff Bridges
Colorado General Assembly
Senate
Monica Duran
Emily Sirota
Sheila Lieder
House
Jennifer Bacon
Kyle Brown
Chad Clifford
Eliza Hamrick
Mandy Lindsay
Javier Mabrey
Tammy Story
Elizabeth Velasco
Jenny Willford
Yara Zokaie
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The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105 is the largest healthcare union in Colorado, uniting more than 8,000 healthcare, property service, and airport workers statewide. SEIU Local 105 is part of SEIU, the fastest-growing union in North America, representing 2 million workers across healthcare, public services, and property services.
Colorado WINS, also part of SEIU, bargains for better wages, benefits, and working conditions on behalf of the more than 27,000 state employees who make Colorado run.