2024 Colorado (CO-08) US House of Representatives Voters Guide

Yadira Caraveo (D) vs Gabe Evans (R)

US House | Election | Nov 5, 2024

The Candidates

Yadira Caraveo

Yadira Caraveo

Democrat

Incumbent
Gabe Evans

Gabe Evans

Republican

The Issues

Abortion

Ban or legal?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Legal. “We must continue the fight to restore the right to choose and defend women’s reproductive freedom.” Sponsored a bill to prohibit govt restriction on abortion access & a bill that prohibits interference in a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services.

Gabe Evans (R)

Ban. “I am pro-life,… abortion stops a beating heart.” In 2022 supported a national abortion ban; now says it’s an issue for the states. Previously opposed abortion except when a mother’s life is at risk; now would allow abortion also in cases of rape and incest.

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Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Mostly yes. “As a pediatrician, I see the effects of climate change on the health of our children.” Supported a Colorado bill that funds climate change projects and another strengthening new building energy codes. In 2023 voted to allow EPA to regulate vehicle emissions; in 2024 voted the opposite.

Gabe Evans (R)

Likely no. Environmental building codes are based on “climate alarmism.” Opposes clean energy tax credits for EVs. “If we’re truly concerned about global climate change,” don’t export industrial production abroad. The US already has “best and most environmentally conscious regulations… in the world.”

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Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

As a Colorado legislator voted to require police body cameras and stronger rules for use of force and misconduct. Voted in US House to make assaulting an officer a deportable offense. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to allow federal grants to fund recruitment and retention bonuses for police.

Gabe Evans (R)

“I believe in due process, fully funding our police officers, holding them to high standards, and protecting them when they do their jobs correctly.” Voted against a bill strengthening responses to police misconduct, calling it “flawed.” Wants stricter penalties for “repeat violent offenders”; end cashless bail.

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Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Mostly increase. Sponsored bills to explore ways to lower car insurance and grocery costs and to expand the child-care tax credit. Supports regulatory protections and more flexibility for small businesses. “Small businesses… need the federal government’s support.”

Gabe Evans (R)

Decrease. Wants to reduce government spending and hold China responsible for its economic reach into the US economy. “Lower the cost of living by reining in deficit spending and the tax-and-regulate policies that are crushing our economy.” Calls for a balanced budget constitutional amendment.

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Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

No. Sponsored a comprehensive sex education law in Colorado. Opposed a bill to end “wokeness” in college accreditation. Opposed a bill requiring greater parental involvement in K-12 curriculum and notification about transgender policies in schools.

Gabe Evans (R)

Unclear. “Parents have the right to select the education that works for their kids and… to see what their kids are being taught so that they get a good education and not a political agenda.” Wouldn’t answer whether it is appropriate for children to be hit in school.

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2020 Presidential Election

Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 Presidential election?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Yes. “January 6, 2021, is a dark day…. [We must] ensure the continued integrity of our democracy.” “The validity of our elections is a sacred tenant (sic) of American democracy.”

Gabe Evans (R)

Unclear. Answered “no-ish” when asked if election was stolen. “Those aren’t yes-no questions.” Hunter Biden news was “suppressed” in “an act of interference.”

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Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Tighten. Opposed an effort to limit the kinds of bodies of water subject to the Clean Water Act. Sponsored a bill expanding federally protected lands in Colorado. Introduced a bill to help small farmers and ranchers improve water conservation and soil health.

Gabe Evans (R)

Loosen. Opposed new state restrictions on ozone , the main ingredient in smog. Wants to reduce regulations on oil and gas production. Voted against regulating dredging in Colorado waterways. Wants to end a federal ban on liquified natural gas exports.

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Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Tighten. “There is no reason to have a gun made for warfare in the hands of Coloradans.” Sponsored an assault weapons ban. Sponsored a bill strengthening federal background checks. “Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children.”

Gabe Evans (R)

Loosen. Opposed an assault weapons ban. Opposed a bill requiring that firearms in an unattended parked car be locked and kept out of sight. “I have unyieldingly opposed every effort… to restrict Coloradans’ right to bear arms.”

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Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Increase. Opposed a bill to roll back key consumer protections in Obamacare. Sponsored a bill to ensure continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for eligible children. Supports expanding the number of drugs on which Medicare can negotiate prices.

Gabe Evans (R)

Decrease. “The highly regulated [health] insurance market drives a wedge between patients and doctors…. I want bureaucrats out of the doctor-patient relationship.” Regarding government price caps on drugs: “An arbitrary price cap” makes medication “less accessible.”

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Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Called on both parties to do more deal with immigration. Would have voted for the bipartisan immigration bill that failed in the Senate this year. Voted to condemn Biden for his “failure to secure” the border. In 2021 signed a letter called for looser immigration rules. Supports a path to citizenship for DACA.

Gabe Evans (R)

Wants to finish building the border wall and reinstate Trump’s remain-in-Mexico policy. Would hire more border control agents and deport criminals. “We know who they are.” Declined to say if he supports Trump’s call for “mass deportations.” About DACA participants, “we have to be humane.”

Click To Share Stance

Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Easier. “I’ve seen firsthand” the power of “collective bargaining.” Sponsored the PRO Act, protecting the right to organize and bargain. Sponsored a bill protecting striking workers’ health insurance benefits.

Gabe Evans (R)

No position found.

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LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Expand. Supports federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Sponsored the Equality Act, which bans discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Voted against barring transgender females from athletics.

Gabe Evans (R)

Mixed. Supports same-sex marriage. Promises to vote for a ballot measure stripping from the CO Constitution a prohibition on same-sex marriage. Opposed requiring school staff to call students by their chosen names and new public buildings to have all-gender restrooms.

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Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Legal. Voted to legalize possession up to two ounces. Sponsored legislation making it easier for banks to work with marijuana businesses. Tried to limit the potency of legal marijuana.

Gabe Evans (R)

Unclear. “I have a strong stance against THC being available to minors, but we’ve got to study” other compounds in marijuana.

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Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Yes. “A $15 federal minimum wage is a great step in the right direction.” Voted as a state legislator to allow cities to set minimum wages higher than the statewide rate.

Gabe Evans (R)

No position found.

Click To Share Stance

Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Yes. In 2023 twice voted against efforts to block Biden attempts to dismiss or reduce student loan debt. Voted for a budget agreement to protect student loan borrowers.

Gabe Evans (R)

No. Opposes “transfer of student loan debts… to American workers.” Opposed expanding loan forgiveness for public agency contractors and adjunct professors.

Click To Share Stance

Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Yes. “Under… the Trump tax law, we’ve been giving breaks to people who make over $400,000 a year and to corporations. It’s more than high time for them to pay their share.”

Gabe Evans (R)

Lower. “I’d extend the Trump tax cuts.” Promises to not raise federal income taxes for anyone. “In the state legislature, I fought against higher taxes, fees, and regulations.… I’ll stand up for the same things in Congress.”

Click To Share Stance

Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Yadira Caraveo (D)

Easier. Sponsored legislation restoring key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As a state legislator, sponsored a bill for multilingual ballot access for voters.

Gabe Evans (R)

Harder. “I support voter ID laws. And it is far too easy for non-citizens to end up on our voter rolls.”

Click To Share Stance

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate. We have space for candidates polling 15% or more. Check out others, including Chris Baum (AVP), Susan Hall (UP), and James Treibert (write-in). Vote411.org offers guides to local races and how to vote. For campuses, see Campus Vote Project’s state-specific guides to student voting rules.

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Yadira Caraveo

democratic Party

Candidate Image

Gabe Evans

republican Party

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Yadira Caraveo

democratic

Gabe Evans

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See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://www.caraveoforcongress.com/ https://electgabeevans.com/
Abortion

Ban or legal?

Legal. “We must continue the fight to restore the right to choose and defend women’s reproductive freedom.” Sponsored a bill to prohibit govt restriction on abortion access & a bill that prohibits interference in a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services.Ban. “I am pro-life,… abortion stops a beating heart.” In 2022 supported a national abortion ban; now says it’s an issue for the states. Previously opposed abortion except when a mother’s life is at risk; now would allow abortion also in cases of rape and incest.
Climate Change

Should climate change be a top priority?

Mostly yes. “As a pediatrician, I see the effects of climate change on the health of our children.” Supported a Colorado bill that funds climate change projects and another strengthening new building energy codes. In 2023 voted to allow EPA to regulate vehicle emissions; in 2024 voted the opposite.Likely no. Environmental building codes are based on “climate alarmism.” Opposes clean energy tax credits for EVs. “If we're truly concerned about global climate change,” don’t export industrial production abroad. The US already has “best and most environmentally conscious regulations… in the world.”
Criminal Justice

How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?

As a Colorado legislator voted to require police body cameras and stronger rules for use of force and misconduct. Voted in US House to make assaulting an officer a deportable offense. Sponsored a bipartisan bill to allow federal grants to fund recruitment and retention bonuses for police.“I believe in due process, fully funding our police officers, holding them to high standards, and protecting them when they do their jobs correctly.” Voted against a bill strengthening responses to police misconduct, calling it “flawed.” Wants stricter penalties for “repeat violent offenders”; end cashless bail.
Economy

Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?

Mostly increase. Sponsored bills to explore ways to lower car insurance and grocery costs and to expand the child-care tax credit. Supports regulatory protections and more flexibility for small businesses. “Small businesses… need the federal government’s support.”Decrease. Wants to reduce government spending and hold China responsible for its economic reach into the US economy. “Lower the cost of living by reining in deficit spending and the tax-and-regulate policies that are crushing our economy.” Calls for a balanced budget constitutional amendment.
Education

Limit teaching about racism and gender identity?

No. Sponsored a comprehensive sex education law in Colorado. Opposed a bill to end “wokeness” in college accreditation. Opposed a bill requiring greater parental involvement in K-12 curriculum and notification about transgender policies in schools.Unclear. “Parents have the right to select the education that works for their kids and… to see what their kids are being taught so that they get a good education and not a political agenda.” Wouldn’t answer whether it is appropriate for children to be hit in school.
2020 Presidential Election

Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 Presidential election?

Yes. “January 6, 2021, is a dark day…. [We must] ensure the continued integrity of our democracy.” “The validity of our elections is a sacred tenant (sic) of American democracy.”Unclear. Answered “no-ish” when asked if election was stolen. “Those aren’t yes-no questions.” Hunter Biden news was “suppressed” in “an act of interference.”
Environment

Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?

Tighten. Opposed an effort to limit the kinds of bodies of water subject to the Clean Water Act. Sponsored a bill expanding federally protected lands in Colorado. Introduced a bill to help small farmers and ranchers improve water conservation and soil health.Loosen. Opposed new state restrictions on ozone , the main ingredient in smog. Wants to reduce regulations on oil and gas production. Voted against regulating dredging in Colorado waterways. Wants to end a federal ban on liquified natural gas exports.
Gun Laws

Loosen or tighten gun regulation?

Tighten. “There is no reason to have a gun made for warfare in the hands of Coloradans.” Sponsored an assault weapons ban. Sponsored a bill strengthening federal background checks. “Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for American children.”Loosen. Opposed an assault weapons ban. Opposed a bill requiring that firearms in an unattended parked car be locked and kept out of sight. “I have unyieldingly opposed every effort… to restrict Coloradans’ right to bear arms.”
Health Care

Increase or decrease government support for healthcare?

Increase. Opposed a bill to roll back key consumer protections in Obamacare. Sponsored a bill to ensure continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for eligible children. Supports expanding the number of drugs on which Medicare can negotiate prices.Decrease. “The highly regulated [health] insurance market drives a wedge between patients and doctors…. I want bureaucrats out of the doctor-patient relationship.” Regarding government price caps on drugs: “An arbitrary price cap” makes medication “less accessible.”
Immigration

How to handle immigration? Support a path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the US as children?

Called on both parties to do more deal with immigration. Would have voted for the bipartisan immigration bill that failed in the Senate this year. Voted to condemn Biden for his “failure to secure” the border. In 2021 signed a letter called for looser immigration rules. Supports a path to citizenship for DACA.Wants to finish building the border wall and reinstate Trump’s remain-in-Mexico policy. Would hire more border control agents and deport criminals. “We know who they are.” Declined to say if he supports Trump’s call for “mass deportations.” About DACA participants, “we have to be humane.”
Labor

Make it easier or harder for unions to organize?

Easier. “I’ve seen firsthand” the power of “collective bargaining.” Sponsored the PRO Act, protecting the right to organize and bargain. Sponsored a bill protecting striking workers’ health insurance benefits.No position found.
LGBTQ Rights

Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?

Expand. Supports federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Sponsored the Equality Act, which bans discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Voted against barring transgender females from athletics.Mixed. Supports same-sex marriage. Promises to vote for a ballot measure stripping from the CO Constitution a prohibition on same-sex marriage. Opposed requiring school staff to call students by their chosen names and new public buildings to have all-gender restrooms.
Marijuana

Ban or legal?

Legal. Voted to legalize possession up to two ounces. Sponsored legislation making it easier for banks to work with marijuana businesses. Tried to limit the potency of legal marijuana.Unclear. “I have a strong stance against THC being available to minors, but we’ve got to study” other compounds in marijuana.
Minimum Wage

Raise the federal minimum from $7.25 per hour?

Yes. “A $15 federal minimum wage is a great step in the right direction.” Voted as a state legislator to allow cities to set minimum wages higher than the statewide rate.No position found.
Student Financial Aid

Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?

Yes. In 2023 twice voted against efforts to block Biden attempts to dismiss or reduce student loan debt. Voted for a budget agreement to protect student loan borrowers.No. Opposes “transfer of student loan debts… to American workers.” Opposed expanding loan forgiveness for public agency contractors and adjunct professors.
Taxes

Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?

Yes. “Under… the Trump tax law, we’ve been giving breaks to people who make over $400,000 a year and to corporations. It’s more than high time for them to pay their share.”Lower. “I’d extend the Trump tax cuts.” Promises to not raise federal income taxes for anyone. “In the state legislature, I fought against higher taxes, fees, and regulations.… I’ll stand up for the same things in Congress.”
Voting Rules

Make voting harder or easier?

Easier. Sponsored legislation restoring key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. As a state legislator, sponsored a bill for multilingual ballot access for voters.Harder. “I support voter ID laws. And it is far too easy for non-citizens to end up on our voter rolls.”

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