Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

Elections in Colorado, 2022

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← 2018
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 15, 2022
Primary: June 28, 2022 General: November 8, 2022 Pre-election incumbent(s): Gov. Jared Polis (Democratic) Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Colorado
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2022 Impact of term limits in 2022 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
Colorado executive elections
Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State Treasurer State Board of Education (4 seats) State Board of Regents (4 seats)

Colorado held an election for governor and lieutenant governor on November 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022. This was one of 36 gubernatorial elections that took place place in 2022. The governor serves as a state's top executive official and is the only executive office that is elected in all 50 states. At the time of the 2022 elections, there were 28 Republican governors and 22 Democratic governors. Click here for a map with links to our coverage of all 50 states' responses to the pandemic and here for an overview of all 36 gubernatorial elections that took place in 2022.

Heading into the 2022 elections, there were 23 Republican trifectas, 14 Democratic trifectas, and 13 divided governments where neither party held trifecta control. There were 23 Republican triplexes, 18 Democratic triplexes, and nine divided governments where neither party held triplex control.

A state government trifecta refers to a situation where one party controls a state's governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. A state government triplex refers to a situation where the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same political party.

Incumbent Jared Polis won election in the general election for Governor of Colorado.

Incumbent Dianne Primavera won election in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Colorado.

To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Colorado

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Colorado on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jared Polis (D)	58.5	1,468,481
		Heidi Ganahl (R)	39.2	983,040
		Kevin Ruskusky (L)	1.2	28,939
		Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution Party)	0.9	21,623
		Paul Fiorino (Unity Party)	0.3	6,687
		Zachary Varon (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	52
		Paul Willmon (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	8

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,508,830
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Bill Stevens (Approval Voting Party)
• Ralph Tingle (Independent)
• Laurie Clark (R)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado

Incumbent Jared Polis advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jared Polis	100.0	523,481

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 523,481
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dustin Rorex (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Colorado

Heidi Ganahl defeated Greg Lopez in the Republican primary for Governor of Colorado on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Heidi Ganahl	53.9	341,145
		Greg Lopez	46.1	292,171

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 633,316
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jim Rundberg (R)
• Benjamin Huseman (R)
• Jon Gray-Ginsberg (R)
• Jeffrey Fry (R)
• Destinee Workman (R)
• Laurie Clark (R)
• Darryl Gibbs (R)
• Jason Wilkat (R)
• Zachariah Burck (R)
• Jason Lopez (R)
• Danielle Neuschwanger (R)

Approval Voting Party convention

Approval Voting Party convention for Governor of Colorado

Bill Stevens advanced from the Approval Voting Party convention for Governor of Colorado on March 26, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Bill Stevens (Approval Voting Party)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Lieutenant Governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

The following candidates ran in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Colorado on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dianne Primavera (D)	58.5	1,468,481
		Danny Moore (R)	39.2	983,040
		Michele Poague (L)	1.2	28,939
		Darryl Gibbs (American Constitution Party)	0.9	21,623
		Cynthia Munhos de Aquino Sirianni (Unity Party)	0.3	6,687
		Sean Hoyt (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	52
		Kathren May (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	8

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,508,830
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Elijah Hatch (R)
• Jan Kok (Approval Voting Party)

Voting information

See also: Voting in Colorado

Election information in Colorado: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
• By mail: Received by Oct. 31, 2022
• Online: Oct. 31, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Oct. 31, 2022
• By mail: Received by Oct. 31, 2022
• Online: Oct. 31, 2022

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
• By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 24, 2022 to Nov. 7, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Heidi Ganahl (R)

Let’s make it affordable to live here again! CO has the 2nd highest inflation rate in the nation, over 15% MORE than when Biden took office. Living here in CO you shouldn’t have to choose between buying groceries and gas or getting your kids the school supplies they need. When Polis took office, gas was $2.20. Today, it’s almost twice that much - a side effect of his push to implement the Green New Deal here in CO and put the oil and gas industry out of business. As Governor, I’ll UNLEASH CO’s economy and put more money back into your pocket - by taking our state to 0% income tax, cutting red tape to make housing affordable again and cutting the gas tax in half. I will put our energy workers back to work and be a voice for rural Colorado!

Let’s make it safe to live in Colorado again! Jared Polis’ soft-on-crime policies are endangering CO communities. We are the 4th worst in the nation for increased crime and thanks to Polis, CO is the most dangerous place in America to be a kid. CO became #1 in auto-thefts, #1 in bank robberies, #1 in cocaine usage, #2 in property crime, #2 in fentanyl deaths and #4 in recidivism. Law enforcement is telling how their hands are tied, they can’t keep anyone in jail, or protect the streets from theft and violent crimes. I will be a law and order governor. I will replace the parole board, stop our sanctuary status, appoint tough judges, declare a state of emergency on fentanyl, keep repeat offenders in jail, and clean up our streets.

If our kids are not ok, nothing else matters. Our kids are in crisis. We have the 2nd highest drug addiction rate for kids in CO and the 7th highest suicide rate. 60% of our kids can’t read, write or do math at grade level, they are being taught nonsense in the classroom and violence at schools is skyrocketing while SROs are told to stand down. In DPS, only 5% of Black and Hispanic kids are reading at grade level. I will make sure our kids can learn to read and write by 3rd grade with a commonsense curriculum, that is transparent to parents. I’ll make sure parents have the power to raise their kids with the values they are raising them with, and that the funding follows the families if they need to make different choices around school.

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Prosperity for Colorado

Leadership, Strategy and Engagement

"Inspiring other civil legislators to get involved in politics at all levels while brining the passions of youth to the Republican Party once again."

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Education- School choice- allowing families to choose what type of education fits the needs of their students.

Energy independence- nuclear and environmentally conscious fracking.

1st and 2nd amendment protections. Freedom to assemble, speech and religion as well as responsible firearm ownership

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Heidi Ganahl (R)

I am passionate about preserving the American Dream for our kids and making sure all Coloradans have the opportunity I did to live the American Dream. To address the huge gaps in learning and better partner with parents, we will work to fund the family, not the system. We must ensure transparency in the curriculum and boost fundamentals like reading, writing, and math — which is why I’ve championed several education efforts as both a CU Regent and concerned parent over the past several years. I want to ensure schools are safe places for our children to learn and will encourage school districts to utilize School Resource Officers and/or enhanced security measures. Critical reforms to our family courts and welfare system will help our children thrive — which is why I started my charities, Mom’s Fight Back and Families Fight Back. It’s important to me that we reduce the size of government by removing unneeded regulations and creating policies that encourage job creation — as a small business owner myself, I’ve seen firsthand how government red tape can suffocate our businesses and our state's economy. As I’ve traveled the state, one of the biggest policy issues I’ve been affecting families of Colorado is the issue of fentanyl. We must end Colorado’s status as a sanctuary state to combat the flow of fentanyl. I will treat fentanyl as the poison that it is by re-criminalizing fentanyl possession in any amount.

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Danielle is in support of Criminal Justice/ Law Enforcement, Military and National Guard, Agriculture and the fight against Proposition 16 along with opposing Biden's 30x30, School Enrollment of Choice, expanding Vocational training opportunities, maintaining our energy sector through oil/ gas/ nuclear and coal, fighting for mineral and water rights, the separation of Parks & Wildlife, and the development of a Colorado Immigration strategy. Danielle is Pro Constitution, Pro Common Sense, Pro Medical Freedoms, Pro Life, Pro Truth & Justice, Anti Government Control, Ant Corruption, Anti Discrimination, Anti Limited Freedoms.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Education- Schools and parents enter a partnership to help raise the next generation of Coloradoans. The traditional education system is not for everyone. By allowing parents to choose what school fits the needs of their children, or school choice, we can customize education to fit the ever changing social landscape and get the needs of every student met.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

I have many role models or voices that I give special attribution to. Some of them are Candace Owens, Kristi Noem, General Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump, Phil Robertson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Ronald Reagan.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Abraham Lincoln, I admire how he used humor to defuse tense situations and stood up for what he believes in the face of all obstacles.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

My campaign video sums me up perfectly.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Integrity, transparency, vision and planning

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Integrity, Transparency, Compassion, humility and COMMON SENSE

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

To put the people first and stop allowing corruption, lobbyists and special interest to weaponize political and environmental incidents for political and financial gain at the expense of the residents of the state.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

To inspire others to get involved at all levels, regardless of fear or anyone speaking limitations over your life. Trying and failing is 100 more remand that not trying at all.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

9/11 happened when I was in eight grade; I was 13 at the time. Ill never forget that day, sitting in class watching the news, and trying to understand the motives of terrorism.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

September 11, terrorist attacks, I was a junior in college.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

I worked at Hobby Lobby all through high school and the start of college, approximately 4 years. I was the youngest department head of the largest department at the time and it served well to teach me skills useful later on in life in regards to running my own businesses.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Civil war battlefield tour guide, Fredericksburg Va. Summer job.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

I read too much to just chose one.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

All quiet on the Western Front. Love the comradery.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Never thought about it, and not sure I have an answer for that.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Every Praise by Hezekiah Walker

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Nobody's better

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

I grew up in a broken home. Understanding and overcoming how that history influenced my relationships was key for to build a successful life and future for my children and family.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Leadership to be has always been defined by not being the smartest person in the room, but surrounding yourself with smarter, more qualified, more brilliant innovative minds. We challenge ourselves to be better when we are surrounded by the most brilliant individuals we can find. Placing that style of leadership in our state at all levels is key to running a successful operation. My plan is to place the subject matter experts in charge of the subjects that matter at all levels.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

The governor gets to set the tone of the state with his/her leadership. It means that as governor i would have the opportunity to protect the vulnerable citizens of Colorado, and ensure that small businesses get a far chance in this increasingly monopolistic and unfair business environment.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Currently my priority would be the economic rebuilding of our state's economy after our current governor shut down our state and implemented strict operating restrictions during the Covid Pandemic that has devastated our economy and our small businesses. Next would be to ensure the future of our Agriculture industry as one of Colorado's largest economic contributors which is currently under attack by Prop 16, and Biden's 30x30 plan.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Protecting public safety and ensuring that every citizen is able to succeed to the best of their ability.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Our current governor has left many opportunities for improvement within our state's budget. Until I see the full spectrum of his actions and have solid numbers in front of me, I cannot answer the level of involvement that should take place. it would be reckless of me to make such statements operating on false assumptions and not facts.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

I believe a good leader should surround themselves with experts in their respective fields, and know what to support and what to let go of.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Yes we have this power in our state, but this would be a case by case basis contingent upon what is best for the State of Colorado and the beliefs of the people impacted by that legislation.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Line-item veto's should be used to strike out any unconstitutional elements of a bill.

If the governor's office in your state does not have the line-item veto power, do you believe it should? Why or why not?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

NA

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

We are all on the same team, I believe it should respectful and challenging, while remembering we are all here for the same purpose, to serve the people of the state.

What do you love most about your state?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

The people. The people of Colorado are what has always made our state beautiful. We are a melting pot of cultures, heritages and nationalities. We are a diverse group of residents who are compassionate, caring and humble. Colorado is a place to feel welcome, and no matter where you go, the people make it feel like home.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Colorado is the most beautiful state in the union. I love the mountains, the people and the wild west spirit that many of our citizens hold dear to their hearts.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

Energy and water security

Tell us your favorite joke.

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

Dont have one

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Danielle Neuschwanger (American Constitution)

I believe that unless a Governor has forward thinking of how to not only mange a crisis but also overcome it, they shouldn't have the use of emergency powers. It is too easy to manipulate the environment for politician and financial gain without proper strategy and planning. Emergency powers should be considered as a vital role, but not a role that must always be utilized. The outcome must always support the prosperity and future of the people.

Kevin Ruskusky (L)

To preserve the freedom of the people of Colorado.

Election competitiveness

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Colorado gubernatorial election, 2022
Race tracker	Race ratings
	November 8, 2022	November 1, 2022	October 25, 2022	October 18, 2022
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Colorado in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Colorado, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source	Notes
Colorado	Governor	Major party	1,500 per congressional district	N/A	3/15/2022	Source
Colorado	Governor	Minor party	1,000 per congressional district	N/A	4/4/2022	Source
Colorado	Governor	Unaffiliated	1,000 per congressional district	N/A	7/14/2022	Source

Past elections

2018

See also: Colorado gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Colorado

Jared Polis defeated Walker Stapleton, Scott Helker, and Bill Hammons in the general election for Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jared Polis (D)	53.4	1,348,888
		Walker Stapleton (R)	42.8	1,080,801
		Scott Helker (L)	2.8	69,519
		Bill Hammons (Unity Party)	1.0	25,854

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,525,062
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Korey Paul Starkey (Independent)
• Veronique Bellamy (G)
• George Allen Cantrell (Constitution Party)
• Michael Wilbourn (Independent)
• Kathleen Cunningham (Unaffiliated)
• Paul Willmon (Unaffiliated)
• Richard Osada (Independent)
• Matthew Wood (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado

Jared Polis defeated Cary Kennedy, Michael Johnston, and Donna Lynne in the Democratic primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jared Polis	44.5	283,340
		Cary Kennedy	24.7	157,396
		Michael Johnston	23.5	149,884
		Donna Lynne	7.3	46,382

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 637,002
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Noel Ginsburg (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Colorado

Walker Stapleton defeated Victor Mitchell, Greg Lopez, and Doug Robinson in the Republican primary for Governor of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Walker Stapleton	47.7	239,861
		Victor Mitchell	30.1	151,585
		Greg Lopez	13.2	66,432
		Doug Robinson	9.0	45,327

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 503,205
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Barry Farah (R)

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

Dianne Primavera defeated Lang Sias, Michele Poague, and Eric Bodenstab in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dianne Primavera (D)	53.4	1,348,888
		Lang Sias (R)	42.8	1,080,801
		Michele Poague (L)	2.8	69,519
		Eric Bodenstab (Unity Party)	1.0	25,854

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,525,062
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Colorado gubernatorial election, 2014

Incumbent Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) faced three candidates in his re-election bid in 2014. Hickenlooper was challenged by Republican Bob Beauprez, Libertarian Party candidate Matthew Hess and Green Party candidate Harry Hempy. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Hickenlooper/Joseph Garcia Incumbent	49.3%	1,006,433
	Republican	Bob Beauprez/Jill Rapella	46%	938,195
	Libertarian	Matthew Hess/Brandon Young	1.9%	39,590
	Green	Harry Hempy/Scott Olson	1.3%	27,391
	Unaffiliated	Mike Dunafon/Robin Roberts	1.2%	24,042
	Unaffiliated	Paul Fiorino/Charles Whitley	0.3%	5,923
Total Votes				2,041,574
Election results via Colorado Secretary of State

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
• Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
• State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
• Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

Presidential elections

See also: Presidential voting trends in Colorado and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Colorado, 2022
District	Incumbent	Party	PVI
Colorado's 1st	Diana DeGette	Democratic	D+29
Colorado's 2nd	Joe Neguse	Democratic	D+17
Colorado's 3rd	Lauren Boebert	Republican	R+7
Colorado's 4th	Ken Buck	Republican	R+13
Colorado's 5th	Doug Lamborn	Republican	R+9
Colorado's 6th	Jason Crow	Democratic	D+9
Colorado's 7th	Open	Democratic	D+4
Colorado's 8th	New Seat	N/A	Even

2020 presidential results by 2022 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2022 district lines, Colorado
District	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
Colorado's 1st	79.5%	18.2%
Colorado's 2nd	68.7%	28.8%
Colorado's 3rd	44.7%	52.9%
Colorado's 4th	39.5%	58.0%
Colorado's 5th	43.1%	53.2%
Colorado's 6th	60.6%	36.8%
Colorado's 7th	55.7%	41.5%
Colorado's 8th	50.8%	46.3%

2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:

County-level voting pattern categories
Democratic
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Democratic	D	D	D
Trending Democratic	R	D	D
Battleground Democratic	D	R	D
New Democratic	R	R	D
Republican
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Republican	R	R	R
Trending Republican	D	R	R
Battleground Republican	R	D	R
New Republican	D	D	R

Following the 2020 presidential election, 60.4% of Coloradans lived in one of the state's 21 Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 34.5% lived in one of 36 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Colorado was Solid Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Colorado following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Colorado county-level statistics, 2020
Solid Democratic	21	60.4%
Solid Republican	36	34.5%
Battleground Democratic	2	3.2%
New Democratic	1	1.1%
Trending Republican	3	0.5%
New Republican	1	0.3%
Total voted Democratic	24	64.7%
Total voted Republican	40	35.3%

Historical voting trends

Colorado presidential election results (1900-2020)

• 13 Democratic wins
• 18 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020
Winning Party	D	R	D	D	D	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	D	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	D	D	D	D

Statewide elections

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Colorado

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Colorado.

U.S. Senate election results in Colorado
Race	Winner	Runner up
2020	53.5%	44.2%
2016	49.9%	44.3%
2014	48.2%	46.3%
2010	48.1%	46.4%
2008	52.8%	42.5%
Average	50.5	44.7

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Colorado

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Colorado.

Gubernatorial election results in Colorado
Race	Winner	Runner up
2018	53.4%	42.8%
2014	49.3%	46.0%
2010	51.1%	36.4% (Constitution Party)
2006	57.0%	40.2%
2002	62.5%	33.7%
Average	54.7	39.8

State partisanship

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Colorado's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Colorado, November 2022
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	4	6
Republican	0	3	3
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	7	9

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Colorado's top four state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Colorado, November 2022
Office	Officeholder
Governor	Jared Polis
Lieutenant Governor	Dianne Primavera
Secretary of State	Jena Griswold
Attorney General	Phil Weiser

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Colorado General Assembly as of November 2022.

Colorado State Senate

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	21
	Republican Party	14
	Vacancies	0
Total		35

Colorado House of Representatives

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	41
	Republican Party	23
	Vacancies	1
Total		65

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Colorado was a Democratic trifecta, with majorities in both chambers of the state legislature and control of the governorship. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Colorado Party Control: 1992-2022
Ten years of Democratic trifectas  •  Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Governor	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D
House	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Colorado and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019.

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Demographic Data for Colorado
	Colorado	United States
Population	5,773,714	331,449,281
Land area (sq mi)	103,636	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	81.5%	70.4%
Black/African American	4.1%	12.6%
Asian	3.2%	5.6%
Native American	0.9%	0.8%
Pacific Islander	0.2%	0.2%
Two or more	5.9%	5.2%
Hispanic/Latino	21.7%	18.2%
Education
High school graduation rate	92.1%	88.5%
College graduation rate	41.6%	32.9%
Income
Median household income	$75,231	$64,994
Persons below poverty level	9.8%	12.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Governor of Colorado official website
• Lieutenant Governor of Colorado official website