Aspen resident Dwayne Romero has entered the race for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, challenging the incumbent Republican representative and adding a new layer of competition to the Democratic primary. His entry came just days before the filing deadline, surprising many who had assumed Alex Kelloff would be the only Democratic candidate in the race.

Political Background and Experience

Romero, who previously served in the administration of former Governor John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s economic development director, brings a wealth of political and business experience to the race. He has also held positions on the Aspen City Council and the Aspen School District Board of Education. Currently, he is the CEO of The Romero Group, a real estate company based in Basalt.

Romero’s campaign announcement criticized the work of incumbent Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Grand Junction), accusing him of prioritizing the interests of Washington over those of Colorado families. ‘Instead of fighting for Colorado families, Jeff Hurd is taking orders from DC party bosses and rubberstamping reckless policies that raise our costs,’ Romero said in a statement.

Healthcare and Economic Concerns

Romero focused heavily on healthcare issues during his campaign announcement, highlighting what he claims are the negative impacts of Hurd’s voting record. He stated that Hurd’s actions have put more than 207,000 Coloradans at risk of losing their health care coverage and have jeopardized six hospitals across the state.

‘Jeff Hurd has spent his entire time in Congress making life harder for Coloradans,’ Romero said. ‘Hurd cast a key vote to kick 32,000 of his constituents in his district off their health care and put at least five hospitals in the third district at risk of closing.’

Two hospitals in the district, Delta Health and Arkansas Valley Medical Center, have already closed their obstetrics units as a result of Hurd’s vote, according to Romero. This has left roughly half of rural Colorado without access to maternal health care, a situation he described as a ‘maternal health care desert.’

Personal History and Motivations

Romero’s personal history includes growing up on food stamps in a Cajun area of Texas and being recruited out of high school to play baseball at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1987 and spent seven years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he earned a Bronze Star for leadership valor during the Persian Gulf War.

After his military service, he attended Harvard Business School for an MBA and later moved to Aspen with his wife, Margaret, to work for a national development company. He has been based in the Roaring Fork Valley ever since.

‘I know what it means to come from nothing and give your life in service to your country and community,’ Romero said. ‘That’s why I can’t stand by as Washington politicians threaten our freedoms and make life more expensive for Coloradans.’

Romero also criticized Hurd’s support for the Department of Government Efficiency, which he said has gutted funding for the Grand Junction VA Medical Center and threatened to close the Grand Junction Social Security Administration Office. ‘Hurd has also been a vocal supporter of DOGE, which gutted funding for the Grand Junction VA Medical Center and threatened to close Grand Junction’s Social Security Administration Office,’ he said.

The primary election for the 3rd Congressional District is scheduled for June 30, and the race is expected to draw significant attention as it could influence the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Analysts are closely watching the developments, as the district has been a key battleground in recent elections.