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5 Things To Know About Colorado Primary Elections

DENVER (AP) — Coloradans made choices in three congressional primaries, a gubernatorial contest and a fracking moratorium in Tuesday's primaries. Here's five things to know about the outcomes:

BEAUPREZ GETS ANOTHER SHOT

Bob Beauprez is the GOP's pick for governor — again. Eight years after running unsuccessfully for governor, the former congressman defeated three other Republicans, including former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, for the nod to challenge Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper in November. Republican voters see him as the strongest candidate against Hickenlooper, who has a sizable fundraising advantage.

BUCK CRUISES IN THE 4TH

Also seeing a political revival is Weld County prosecutor Ken Buck, who cruised to victory in a GOP primary in the sprawling 4th Congressional District, Colorado's only open congressional seat. Buck ran for U.S. Senate four years ago, losing to Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, and he planned early this year to challenge Democratic Sen. Mark Udall. But when Rep. Cory Gardner decided to run against Udall, Buck switched gears. His victory almost guarantees he'll prevail in November; the GOP has an overwhelming advantage in the Eastern Plains district.

ANOTHER ESCAPE FOR LAMBORN

Four-term Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn is battle-tested in the feisty 5th Congressional District, known for its bruising GOP primaries. Lamborn scraped by again Tuesday, besting a retired Air Force veteran who was mounting his third challenge. The district, centered in Colorado Springs, hasn't chosen a Democrat since its creation more than 40 years ago — though Lamborn seems to attract spirited primary battles every two years.

MIXED NIGHT FOR GUN-RIGHTS CANDIDATES

Mike Kopp, the gubernatorial choice of the powerful gun-rights group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, finished last Tuesday. But two pro-gun rights candidates won Republican nominations in Jefferson County. The seats are currently in Democratic hands, and Democrats hope both GOP candidates will be too conservative to prevail in November. Democrats have a one-vote majority in the state Senate, so these two suburban contests could determine control of the chamber.

FRACKING MORATORIUM FAILS

Loveland voters rejected a proposed fracking moratorium that would have made it the sixth Front Range community to limit or ban hydraulic fracturing. The two-year moratorium failed by about 1,000 votes, out of about 23,000 ballots cast. The vote hit a snag because of voter confusion: Some returned ballots in the wrong envelope, prompting an emergency order from the secretary of state.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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