The outcomes of local and state elections can often have a surprising impact on national politics. In a crucial swing state like Colorado, the effects local elections have on the national discourse can be powerful indeed.

So with that in mind, and the general election nearly upon us, it may be a good time to start looking at what groups are not only in competition for favors from Colorado state government, but could conceivably end up making an imprint on a regional or even national stage. Here’s a breakdown of the hot House races where these PACs and political issue committees are putting their money, the most active PACs and political groups, and the most “bi-partisan” PAC that’s sending to checks to politicians on both sides of the aisle.  We’ll start with information from the latest reports with the Secretary of State.

A couple of words about the method: this data is not a complete picture. It reflects only PAC and political issue committee contributions reported to the Colorado Secretary of State and given to House candidates between June 26 and July 26 of this year (we’ll  be posting more reports as they come out!). It does not include individual donations or independent expenditures (money spent by outside groups on behalf of a candidate). Data for the Senate will be posted next week.

House Races with The Most Political Group/PAC Contributions Through the August 1 Reporting Period

• House District 29, $16,500 - Democratic challenger Tracey Kraft-Tharp ($11,000) and incumbent Republican Robert Ramirez ($5500).
• HD-47, $15,975– Democrat Charles Rodosevich ($15,125) and Republican Clarice Navarro-Ratzlaff ($850).
• HD-40, $13,450– Republican incumbent Cindy Acree ($10,200), and Democratic challenger John Buckner ($3,250).
• HD-28, $12,674.55– Democrat Brittany Pettersen ($10,100), Republican Amy Attwood ($2,574.55)
• HD-3, $11,925– incumbent Democrat Daniel Kagan ($9,675) and Republican challenger Brian Watson ($2,900).

Most Active PACs/Political Groups During the August 1 Reporting Period

• Public Education Committee – 28 contributions, $41,500 total.
• Realtor Candidate PAC/FKA: Colorado Assn of Realtors PAC– 18 contributions, $23,900 total.
• Colorado American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations Nonpartisan Small Donor Committee – 18 contributions, $20,625 total.
• United Transportation Union Small Donor Committee – 18 contributions, $9,000 total.
• Apartment Association of Metro Denver PAC – 12 contributions, $4,800 total.

Most Bi-Partisan PAC

• Realtor Candidate PAC/FKA: Colorado Association of Realtors PAC – Four Democrats (Beth McCann, Crisanta Duran, Mark Ferrandino, Rhonda Fields) and six Republicans (Cindy Acree, Mark Barker, Chris Holbert, Kathleen Conti, Libby Szabo, Robert Ramirez).

(additional research by CleanSlateNow.org intern Rob Portnoy)