Two progressive Colorado candidates say corporate pressure shut down their rallies, but the backlash boosted their campaigns ahead of the June 30 primary.

• A planned Denver rally with streamer Hasan Piker and candidates Meot Kirros and Julie Gonzalez got cancelled by one venue after another, who claimed defamation lawsuit threats and a bogus "safety risk."
• Venue owners were reportedly told it was a "neo-Nazi rally" — an absurd label for an event headlined by Black, Latino, and Muslim candidates.
• Both are running to the left of long-time Democratic incumbents: Gonzalez against Senator John Hickenlooper, Kirros against Rep. Diana DeGette.
• They blame corporate donors and "the oligarchy" for the pressure, and say the stunt backfired — over a thousand people showed up at the capitol steps instead.
• Their pitch is taxing billionaires, Medicare for All, cutting military spending, and rejecting corporate money, aimed at voters fed up with establishment Democrats.

Outlook: Both are trailing but within striking distance heading into the June 30 primary, and the failed rally crackdown has handed them extra attention.