And a fast fact about them!

DENVER — There are currently 12 people in the running to unseat U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) in 2020. There's a former U.S. attorney, a biomedical scientist, a pharmacist, a psychologist and others in the race.

While the election is just under 18 months away — and these 12 candidates will need to be whittled down to just one Democratic challenger — here's a quick, handy guide to help you become acquainted with them.

We're going in alphabetical order:

Dan Baer , former United States Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

, former United States Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Diana Bray , psychologist and climate activist

, psychologist and climate activist Ellen Burnes , professor and former chair of the Boulder County Democratic Party

, professor and former chair of the Boulder County Democratic Party Lorena Garcia , community organizer

, community organizer Mike Johnston , former state senator and candidate for Governor of Colorado in 2018

, former state senator and candidate for Governor of Colorado in 2018 Dustin Leitzel , pharmacist

, pharmacist Alice Madden , former minority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives

, former minority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives Keith Pottratz , technician and veteran

, technician and veteran Andrew Romanoff , former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, and nominee for Colorado's 6th congressional district in 2014

, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, and nominee for Colorado's 6th congressional district in 2014 Stephany Rose Spaulding , University of Colorado Colorado Springs professor and nominee for Colorado's 5th congressional district in 2018

, University of Colorado Colorado Springs professor and nominee for Colorado's 5th congressional district in 2018 John Walsh , former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado

, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Trish Zornio, biomedical scientist

9NEWS is also in the process of interviewing the candidates for U.S. Senator from Colorado.