U.S. House, Colorado 1st Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Colorado's 1st Congressional District?
No candidate in Colorado's 1st Congressional District has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Shimon Blau (7 of 15 criteria), Chad Humphrey (5 of 15 criteria), Melat Kiros (7 of 15 criteria), Critter Milton (0 of 15 criteria), Christy Peterson (6 of 15 criteria), Stephen Replin (0 of 15 criteria), Kevin StClair (0 of 15 criteria) and John Wren (0 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Unaffiliated
Shimon Blau
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Chad Humphrey
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Melat Kiros
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Unity Party
Critter Milton
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Christy Peterson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
Stephen Replin
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
Kevin StClair
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Write-in
John Wren
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Shimon Blau
- On the record2026-07-24
Qualified for the CD1 ballot as an unaffiliated candidate by petition after Melat Kiros won the Democratic primary; 1,918 of more than 2,200 signatures were ruled valid.
Source: The Colorado Sun, July 24, 2026
Chad Humphrey
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Melat Kiros
- On the record2026-06
In a June 2026 9News interview she declined to call the June 1, 2025 Boulder firebombing of a Jewish community rally antisemitic; three progressive Democratic leaders and Attorney General Phil Weiser said it was antisemitic.
Sources: The Colorado Sun, June 27, 2026, The Hill via Yahoo News, July 2, 2026
- On the record2026
In a 2026 interview with podcaster Hasan Piker she called Hamas's Oct. 7 attack an inevitable consequence of Israel's actions, and later said she did not mean it was justified.
Source: The Colorado Sun, June 27, 2026
Critter Milton
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Christy Peterson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Stephen Replin
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Kevin StClair
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
John Wren
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Shimon Blau. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026 ($184,750 raised) and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed Oct. 2, 2026. Pledges to take no PAC money. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10082725, Campaign site, FEC administrative fines search
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026 ($1,091,198 raised), and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed May 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10078533, FEC administrative fines search
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026 ($2,057 raised). No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Shimon Blau. Gave on-the-record interviews, including one with 9News that examined his past online posts. No record found of 2026 general election debates or forums, accepted or declined.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. Gave on-the-record interviews to CPR News, 9News and other outlets on her positions during the 2026 campaign. No record found of 2026 general election debates or forums, accepted or declined.
Sources: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026, The Colorado Sun, June 27, 2026
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1993 to 2013 and retired as an officer. No official finding of misuse found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Shimon Blau. Physician for more than 20 years who has run his own medical practice since completing an interventional spine and pain management fellowship in Denver in 2013. Has not held public office.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Campaign site
Chad Humphrey. Retired Marine Corps officer with a combat tour, software manager and entrepreneur with a Pepperdine MBA. Has not held public office.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Chad Humphrey (Colorado)
Melat Kiros. Former securities regulatory and enforcement associate at the law firm Sidley Austin, with a 2022 law degree from Notre Dame; now a PhD student. Has not held public office.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Melat Kiros
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Works in office management and accounting at a construction company, with a 2006 bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. Has not held public office.
Sources: CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026, Ballotpedia, Christy Peterson
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Shimon Blau. States positions mostly in general terms, centered on affordability; says he would caucus with Democrats if elected.
Chad Humphrey. Campaign site and questionnaire answers state positions in general terms: cut government overreach and stop foreign wars.
Source: Campaign site
Melat Kiros. Publishes specific proposals: Medicare for All, a federal minimum wage of at least $20 tied to the cost of living, a ban on stock trading by members of Congress and a moratorium on new fossil fuel production on federal lands.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Lists safety, the economy and education as priorities and answered the Denver Post questionnaire in general terms.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Shimon Blau. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, answered the Denver Post questionnaire and gave broadcast interviews.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Shimon Blau, The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, 9News via Yahoo News, Aug. 13, 2026
Chad Humphrey. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, answered the Denver Post questionnaire and publishes an issue page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Chad Humphrey (Colorado), The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Campaign site
Melat Kiros. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, answered the Denver Post questionnaire and gave an issue interview for CPR News's voter guide.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Melat Kiros, The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey and answered the Denver Post questionnaire. Did not respond to CPR News interview requests.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Christy Peterson, The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, Sept. 25, 2026
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Shimon Blau. Born and raised in Denver's Sloan's Lake neighborhood and has practiced medicine in Denver since 2013. About 96 percent of itemized individual contributions by state came from Colorado (FEC, through Sept. 30, 2026).
Sources: Campaign site, The Colorado Sun, July 24, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Chad Humphrey. Lists his residence as Denver.
Melat Kiros. Lives in Denver; her family moved to Denver from Ethiopia when she was a baby. About 36 percent of itemized individual contributions by state came from Colorado (FEC, through June 30, 2026).
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News, 1st District voter guide, Sept. 24, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Lists her residence as Denver and says she is from the Lakewood and Littleton area. FEC by-state totals show all $1,194 of itemized individual contributions from Colorado.
Sources: The Denver Post candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Christy Peterson, FEC contribution totals by state
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Shimon Blau. Collected 1,918 valid voter signatures to qualify by petition, and campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no administrative fine found.
Sources: The Colorado Sun, July 24, 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Shimon Blau. No public record found.
Chad Humphrey. No public record found.
Melat Kiros. No public record found.
Critter Milton. No public record found.
Christy Peterson. No public record found.
Stephen Replin. No public record found.
Kevin StClair. No public record found.
John Wren. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Colorado's 1st Congressional District?
No candidate in Colorado's 1st Congressional District has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Shimon Blau (7 of 15 criteria), Chad Humphrey (5 of 15 criteria), Melat Kiros (7 of 15 criteria), Critter Milton (0 of 15 criteria), Christy Peterson (6 of 15 criteria), Stephen Replin (0 of 15 criteria), Kevin StClair (0 of 15 criteria) and John Wren (0 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Colorado's 1st Congressional District in 2026?
Shimon Blau (Unaffiliated), Chad Humphrey (Libertarian), Melat Kiros (Democratic), Critter Milton (Unity Party), Christy Peterson (Republican), Stephen Replin (Write-in), Kevin StClair (Write-in), John Wren (Write-in). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Shimon Blau a good candidate for Congress?
Shimon Blau has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Chad Humphrey a good candidate for Congress?
Chad Humphrey has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Melat Kiros a good candidate for Congress?
Melat Kiros has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Critter Milton a good candidate for Congress?
Critter Milton has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Christy Peterson a good candidate for Congress?
Christy Peterson has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Stephen Replin a good candidate for Congress?
Stephen Replin has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Kevin StClair a good candidate for Congress?
Kevin StClair has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is John Wren a good candidate for Congress?
John Wren has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Colorado race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Colorado 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.