2026 Colorado gubernatorial election
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| Elections in Colorado |
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The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jared Polis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator (2009–present)[1]
- Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General (2019–present)[2]
Potential
[edit]- Ken Salazar, former United States Ambassador to Mexico (2021–2025), former U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009–2013) and former U.S. Senator (2005–2009)[3][4]
Declined
[edit]- Jason Crow, U.S. Representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district (2019–present) (endorsed Bennet)[5]
- Crisanta Duran, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2017–2019) from the 5th district (2011–2019) and candidate for Colorado's 1st congressional district in 2020[6] (running for attorney general)[7]
- Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State (2019–present) (running for attorney general)[8]
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[9] (endorsed Bennet)[1]
- Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) and nominee for Secretary of State in 2014 (endorsed Bennet)[5]
Endorsements
[edit]Michael Bennet
U.S. senators
- John Hickenlooper, U.S. Senator from Colorado (2021–present)[1]
U.S. representatives
- Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative from Colorado's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[1]
- Jason Crow, U.S. Representative from Colorado's 6th congressional district (2019–present)[1]
State legislators
- James Coleman, President of the Colorado Senate (2025–present) from the 33rd district (2021–present)[10]
- Julie McCluskie, 62nd Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 13th district (2019–present)[10]
Local officials
- Michael Hancock, former mayor of Denver (2011–2023)[11]
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present)[10]
- Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver (1991–2003)[11]
Phil Weiser
Statewide officials
- Roy Romer, former governor of Colorado (1987–1999)[12]
U.S. representatives
- Ed Perlmutter, former U.S. Representative from Colorado's 7th congressional district (2007–2023)[13]
Individuals
- Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado (1975–1987)[12]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Mark Baisley, state senator for the 4th district (2023–present)[15]
- Scott Bottoms, state representative for the 15th district (2023–present)[3]
- Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010[16]
- Greg Lopez, former U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022[17]
- Jason Mikesell, Teller County Sheriff[18][19]
Filed paperwork
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator for the 23rd district (2021–present) and nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022[6]
Potential
[edit]- Paul Lundeen, Minority Leader of the Colorado Senate (2023–present) from the 9th district (2019–present)[23]
Other Parties
[edit]American Constitution
[edit]Filed paperwork
[edit]- Stephen Hamilton[24]
Independents
[edit]Filed paperwork
[edit]Declined
[edit]General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[29] | Solid D | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[30] | Solid D | February 6, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Kim, Caitlyn (April 11, 2025). "Sen. Michael Bennet is officially running for governor". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Paul, Jesse (January 20, 2025). "Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ Cotton, Anthony (March 21, 2025). "Interview: Colorado's Ken Salazar on trade with Mexico, border security, cartels, and what he calls the Gulf". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Woodruff, Chase (April 11, 2025). "Michael Bennet upends race with Colorado governor bid". Colorado Newsline. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
Rumored contenders for governor in 2026 had included Salazar, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, and U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow...Neguse and Crow both quickly endorsed Bennet on Friday morning
- ^ a b Zelinger, Marshall (December 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Paul, Jesse (February 27, 2025). "Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Jesse (April 7, 2025). "Jena Griswold is running to be Colorado's next attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
Griswold was also considering a 2026 bid to be Colorado's next governor. But those plans changed in the wake of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's expected gubernatorial candidacy.
- ^ Zornio, Trish (April 1, 2024). "Zornio: These 6 women could replace Jared Polis in 2026. They're not who you think". The Colorado Sun. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
Johnston has promised not to [run for governor] on the heels of his election.
- ^ a b c Paul, Jesse (April 11, 2025). "Michael Bennet's campaign for Colorado governor has officially begun. So has the power struggle to fill his Senate seat". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ a b McRae, Jennifer (April 11, 2025). "Sen. Michael Bennet announces campaign for governor of Colorado". CBS News. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Solender, Andrew; Frank, John; Neukam, Stephen. "Scoop: Michael Bennet to launch bid for Colorado governor". Axios. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ Zelinger, Marshall (November 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Birkeland, Bente (March 3, 2025). "Mark Baisley becomes second Republican state lawmaker to enter Colorado's 2026 race for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ Metzger, Hannah (January 22, 2025). "Third Time's the Charm? Jason Clark Is Running for Colorado Governor...Again". Westword. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Klamann, Seth (April 14, 2025). "Former congressman Greg Lopez announces third run for Colorado governor". The Denver Post. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Watson, Lauren (March 13, 2025). "Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell running for Colorado governor". KKTV. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ "Jason Mikesell for Governor". Jason Mikesell for Governor. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Steven Gass on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Jon Gray-Ginsburg on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Robin Jones on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ Pols, Colorado (November 18, 2024). "Peace Out, 2024: The 2026 Big Line is Here". Colorado Pols. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Stephen Hamilton on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Rev Willow Collamer on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate registration for William "Will" McBride on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". tracer.sos.colorado.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Candidate registration for Bradley Allen Wall on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". tracer.sos.colorado.gov. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Kenney, Andrew (August 20, 2024). "The multimillionaire who reshaped Colorado's electoral system wants to make even bigger changes". Colorado Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
During a recent interview at his mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Thiry said he would not run for the state's highest office.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
External Links
[edit]- Official campaign websites