2026 Colorado gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 Colorado gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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  AG Phil Weiser.jpg Victor Marx (52125665777) (cropped).jpg
Nominee Phil Weiser Victor Marx
Party Democratic Republican
Running mateLesley DahlkemperGeorge Markert
Incumbent Governor

Jared Polis
Democratic



The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic governor Jared Polis is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Primary elections took place on June 30, 2026. [1]

Contents

In the Democratic primary, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. senator Michael Bennet. If elected, Weiser would be the second consecutive Jewish governor after Polis. The Republican Party has not won a gubernatorial election in Colorado since 2002 nor a statewide office since 2016. [2] Republican nominee Victor Marx's candidacy has been mired in controversy; Marx has made a number of dubious claims and has notably stated he is unsure how many people he has killed. [3] Leading to the Republican primary, both of Marx's opponents indicated they would refuse to endorse him if he won the nomination. [4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

To move forward to the primary, candidates had to petition onto the ballot or achieve 30% or more at the Colorado Democratic Party State Assembly. Michael Bennet was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Phil Weiser was the only candidate to achieve 30% or more. [5] Bennet's petition was deemed sufficient on March 24, 2026. [6]

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Michael Bennet
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Phil Weiser
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Michael
Bennet		Phil
Weiser		Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D) [29] [A] June 24–25, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%36%45%19%
Public Policy Polling (D) [30] [A] June 1–2, 2026505 (LV)± 4.4%36%30%34%
Tavern Research [31] [B] May 31 – June 1, 2026(LV)–35%28%36%
Colorado Community Research [32] May 22–28, 2026796 (LV)± 4.0%34%41%25%
Keating Research [33] [C] January 26 – February 1, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%53%26%21%
Global Strategy Group (D) [34] [D] June 9–11, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%53%22%25%
Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jena
Griswold		Joe
Neguse		Ken
Salazar		Phil
Weiser		OtherUndecided
Healthier Colorado (D)/
Magellan Strategies (R) [35] 		December 4–9, 2024630 (LV)± 3.9%16%20%11%8%8%37%

Debates

2026 gubernatorial election Democratic primary debates
No.DateHostModeratorLink Democratic Democratic
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Michael Bennet Phil Weiser
1May 7, 2026 Colorado Public Radio
KMGH-TV
The Denver Post 		Colette Bordelon
Nick Coltrain
Ryan Warner		 YouTube PP
2Jun. 4, 2026Colorado Politics
KUSA
University of Denver 		Kyle Clark
Marshall Zelinger		 YouTube PP

Results

Primary results by county: Weiser 50-60% 60-70% Bennet 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90% 2026 Colorado Democratic gubernatorial primary election results map by county.svg
Primary results by county:
  Weiser
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Bennet
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Phil Weiser 505,444 56.9
Democratic Michael Bennet 383,13143.1
Total votes888,575 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

To move forward to the primary, candidates had to petition onto the ballot or achieve 30% or more at the Colorado Republican Party State Assembly. Barbara Kirkmeyer was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. Her petition was deemed sufficient on April 15, 2026. [36] All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx were the only candidates to achieve 30% or more. [37]

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Eliminated at convention

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Barbara Kirkmeyer
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
Local officials
Newspapers
Victor Marx
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
Individuals

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Scott
Bottoms		Victor
Marx		Barbara
Kirkmeyer		Undecided
Cygnal (R) [52] [E] May 7–8, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%7%42%13%38%

Debates

2026 gubernatorial election Republican primary debates
No.DateHostModeratorLink Republican Republican Republican
Key:
 P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited  W  Withdrawn
Scott Bottoms Barbara Kirkmeyer Victor Marx
1May 14, 2026 Colorado Public Radio
KMGH-TV
The Denver Post 		John Aguilar
Colette Bordelon
Bazi Kanani		 YouTube PPA
2Jun. 2, 2026Colorado Politics
KUSA
University of Denver 		Kyle Clark
Marshall Zelinger		 YouTube PPP

Results

Primary results by county: Marx 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Kirkmeyer 30-40% 40-50% 50-60% Bottoms 30-40% 2026 Colorado Republican gubernatorial primary election results map by county.svg
Primary results by county:
  Marx
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Kirkmeyer
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Bottoms
  •   30–40%
Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Victor Marx 208,455 39.9
Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer 205,99039.4
Republican Scott Bottoms 108,52920.8
Total votes522,974 100.0

Unity primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Results

Unity primary results [54]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Unity Jeff Peckman 146 53.7
Unity Paul Noel Fiorino 12646.3
Total votes272 100.0

Third-party candidates

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Independents

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

  • Jon Collamer [59]
  • Bradley Allen Wall [60]

Withdrawn

Declined

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [63] Solid DOctober 29, 2026
Decision Desk HQ [64] Likely DNovember 1, 2026
Fox News [65] Solid DNovember 1, 2026
Inside Elections [66] Solid DOctober 29, 2026
NBC News [67] Solid DNovember 1, 2026
RealClearPolitics [68] Solid DOctober 30, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball [69] Safe DOctober 27, 2026
Silver Bulletin [70] Solid DNovember 1, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

Phil Weiser (D)
U.S. representatives
Organizations

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Victor
Marx (R)		Phil
Weiser (D)		OtherUndecided
Lake Research Partners (D) [73] September 16–30, 2026600 (RV)—36%51%3%10%

Results

2026 Colorado gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic
Republican
American Constitution
  • Stephen T. Hamilton
  • James K. Treibert
Independent
Libertarian
  • Erik Mulder
  • Wayne Harlos
Unity
  • Jeff Peckman
  • T.J. Cole
Approval Voting
  • Erik Underwood
  • Frank Atwood
Total votes100.0%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Fighting For Colorado PAC, which supports Weiser
  2. ↑ Poll sponsored by Rocky Mountain Way PAC, which supports Bennett
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, which supports Bennet
  4. ↑ Poll sponsored by Bennet's campaign
  5. ↑ Poll sponsored by Freedom IEC, which supports Marx [53]

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Times, The New York (August 1, 2017). "Colorado University Regents-At-Large Results: Heidi Ganahl Leads". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Full interview: Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Victor Marx". 9News. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  4. ↑ Luning, Ernest (May 27, 2026). "Republicans Kirkmeyer, Bottoms say they won't back Marx if he wins Colorado's gubernatorial primary". Colorado Politics. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Colorado Democratic Party Concludes 2026 State Assembly, Announces Results". Colorado Democratic Party . Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "2026 Primary Election Petition Candidates Who Submitted Petition Signatures". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  8. ↑ Paul, Jesse (July 22, 2026). "Phil Weiser taps Jefferson County commissioner as running mate in Colorado governor's race". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Kim, Caitlyn (April 11, 2025). "Sen. Michael Bennet is officially running for governor". Colorado Public Radio . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  10. 1 2 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
  11. 1 2 Luning, Ernest (May 9, 2025). "Fields for Colorado's top 2026 statewide, congressional races begin to take shape". Colorado Politics . Retrieved May 9, 2025. Every incumbent member of Congress from Colorado who is up for election next year is seeking another term
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Democrat Brittany Pettersen throws support behind Michael Bennet in Colorado's gubernatorial primary". Colorado Politics . October 9, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bartolo, James. "Weiser talks affordability, Pueblo ahead of 2026 gubernatorial primary". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 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.
  17. ↑ Kim, Caitlyn (June 12, 2025). "As he runs for governor, Bennet rolls out long list of endorsements". CPR News. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  18. 1 2 McRae, Jennifer (April 11, 2025). "Sen. Michael Bennet announces campaign for governor of Colorado". CBS News . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Endorses Sen. Michael Bennet for Governor". Colorado Professional Fire Fighters. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Michael Bennet Labor Endorsement". Reuters. November 25, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Democrat Brittany Pettersen throws support behind Michael Bennet in Colorado's gubernatorial primary". Colorado Politics . October 9, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  22. ↑ Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Solender, Andrew; Frank, John; Neukam, Stephen. "Scoop: Michael Bennet to launch bid for Colorado governor". Axios . Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  24. ↑ Schneider, Elena (June 26, 2026). "Colorado Will Test How Toxic Washington Is for Democrats". NOTUS. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  25. ↑ Hutton, Sam (October 15, 2025). "Colorado gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser visits Fort Collins to engage voters". The Rocky Mountain Collegian. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Our 2026 Endorsed Candidates". UFCW 7. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  27. ↑ Winchell, Carly (March 14, 2026). "Colorado Indivisible Action Network Announces Endorsements in Gubernatorial, Senate Races". Ark Valley Voice. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Our view: Democratic primary for governor". Durango Herald. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ Paul, Jesse (June 25, 2026). "Phil Weiser leads Michael Bennet in new poll, with Colorado's Democratic primary for governor coming down to undecided voters". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Weiser and Bennet locked in a tight race in Colorado's Democratic primary for Governor". OnSight Public Affairs. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  31. ↑ @PollTracker2024 (June 27, 2026). "Tavern Research poll" (Tweet). Retrieved June 29, 2026– via X (formerly Twitter).
  32. ↑ "Weiser leads Bennet, particularly among voters who are disillusioned with the Colorado Democratic Party". Colorado Community Research. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  33. ↑ @COProFFs (March 2, 2026). "Colorado Professional Fire Fighters are backing @michaelbennet, because he backs Colorado Firefighters. We see firsthand what's at stake - protection for first responders, disaster response, forest management, and wildfire funding. Our support isn't symbolic, it's practical" (Tweet). Retrieved June 4, 2026– via X (formerly Twitter).
  34. ↑ Baumann, Andrew; Teitelbaum, Joey (June 13, 2025). "New Polling Finds Bennet with a Wide Lead in Colorado Dem Governor Primary" (PDF). Global Strategy Group . Retrieved June 17, 2025– via www.michaelbennet.com.
  35. ↑ Zelinger, Marshall (November 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA . Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  36. ↑ "2026 Primary Election Petition Candidates Who Submitted Petition Signatures". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "State Rep. Scott Bottoms secures top spot on Republican primary ballot for Colorado governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 4 Luning, Ernest (October 3, 2025). "Ministry founder, 'high-risk' missionary Victor Marx joins Colorado's Republican gubernatorial primary". Colorado Politics . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  39. ↑ Swanson, Christa (August 1, 2026). "Colorado Republican gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx chooses running mate". CBS News . Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  40. ↑ Paul, Jesse (January 20, 2025). "Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  41. ↑ Paul, Jesse (September 9, 2025). "Republican Barbara Kirkmeyer is running to be Colorado's next governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  42. ↑ Metzger, Hannah (January 22, 2025). "Third Time's the Charm? Jason Clark Is Running for Colorado Governor...Again". Westword . Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  43. ↑ Watson, Lauren (March 13, 2025). "Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell running for Colorado governor". KKTV . Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  44. 1 2 3 Boyd, Shaun (January 5, 2026). "Former Colorado Republican congressman leaves the GOP, reshuffling the gubernatorial race". CBS News . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  45. ↑ Luning, Ernest (December 27, 2025). "Colorado podcaster who has called for political foes to be executed joins GOP primary for governor". 9News . Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  46. 1 2 3 4 Loevy, Bob (May 17, 2026). "Hard-fought Dem primary could put GOP's Kirkmeyer in governor's chair". Colorado Politics. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  47. ↑ Luning, Ernest (October 9, 2025). "Colorado Republicans Gabe Evans, Bill Owens endorse Barb Kirkmeyer's gubernatorial campaign". Colorado Politics . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  48. ↑ "ENDORSEMENT: Kirkmeyer's credibility can carry the day in governor's race". Colorado Springs Gazette. June 7, 2026. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  49. ↑ "ENDORSEMENT: Barb Kirkmeyer for Colorado governor". Denver Gazette. March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  50. 1 2 "Victor Marx Locks Down Some Very Boebert-y Endorsements". Colorado Pols. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  51. ↑ "The dangerous gentleman enters the race: Victor Marx launches gubernatorial bid". Rocky Mountain Voice. October 2, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  52. ↑ Woodward, Alexander (May 19, 2026). "Victor Marx leads Colorado GOP primary with 42% support in first public poll". Art Threat. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Home". Freedom Independent Expenditure Committee. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Governor - Unity Party". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Candidate registration for Stephen Hamilton on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  56. 1 2 "2026 General Election Official Candidate List" . Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Candidate registration for Frederick White Osborne on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  58. ↑ https://www.cpr.org/2026/09/25/vg-2026-greg-lopez-voter-guide/
  59. ↑ "Candidate registration for Rev Willow Collamer on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  60. ↑ "Candidate registration for Bradley Allen Wall on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". tracer.sos.colorado.gov. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  61. ↑ "Candidate registration for Shawn Bennett on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  62. ↑ 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.
  63. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  64. ↑ "2026 Governor Forecast". Decision Desk HQ . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  65. ↑ Numa, Rémy (November 1, 2026). "Fox News Power Rankings: Kansas moves to Toss-up, Nebraska moves to Lean R". Fox News . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  67. ↑ "The race for Congress: 2026 midterms". NBC News . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  68. ↑ "2026 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  69. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved November 1, 2026.
  70. ↑ Silver, Nate; McKown-Dawson, Eli (November 1, 2026) [August 11, 2026]. "FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast" . Silver Bulletin . Retrieved November 1, 2026– via Substack.
  71. ↑ Luning, Ernest (October 14, 2026). "Republican Ken Buck endorses Phil Weiser in Colorado governor's race". Colorado Politics. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  72. ↑ "Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Announces New Round of Statewide Endorsements, Backing 40 Statewide Candidates in 15 States". Moms Demand Action. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Lake Research Partners Colorado poll" (PDF). ballot.org. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
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