2010 United States Senate election in Colorado

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 2010 United States Senate election in Colorado

| country = Colorado

| type = presidential

| ongoing = Yes

| previous_election = 2004 United States Senate election in Colorado

| previous_year = 2004

| next_election = 2016 United States Senate election in Colorado

| next_year = 2016

| election_date = November 2, 2010

| image_size = x150px

| image1 = MichaelBennetofficialphoto.jpg

| nominee1 = Michael Bennet

| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)

| popular_vote1 = 854,685

| percentage1 = 48.08%

| image2 = Ken Buck official congressional photo (cropped 2).jpg

| nominee2 = Ken Buck

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)

| popular_vote2 = 824,789

| percentage2 = 46.40%

| map_image = {{switcher |250px |County results |250px |Precinct results |default=1}}

| map_size = 250px

| map_caption = Bennet: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}} {{legend0|#0D0596|>90%}}

Buck: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#C21B18|80–90%}} {{legend0|#A80000|>90%}}
Tie: {{legend0|#d2b1d9|40–50%}} {{legend0|#808080|No votes}}

| title = U.S. Senator

| before_election = Michael Bennet{{efn|In January 2009, Bennet was appointed by Governor Bill Ritter to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Ken Salazar, who had appointed Secretary of the Interior.}}

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_election = Michael Bennet

| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{ElectionsCO}}

The 2010 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 2010, alongside other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. In December 2008, President-elect Barack Obama nominated incumbent U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior.{{cite news | url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11234643 | title=Salazar poised to head Interior | publisher=Denver Post | access-date=December 15, 2008 | first1=Christopher N. | last1=Osher | first2=Joey | last2=Bunch | date=December 15, 2008}} After Salazar resigned from his seat,{{cite news | url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/18509866/detail.html | title=Ken Salazar Resigns From Senate | date=January 19, 2009 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=January 20, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122210619/http://thedenverchannel.com/news/18509866/detail.html | archive-date=January 22, 2009}} Democratic governor Bill Ritter appointed Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill the seat.

Bennet won a full term, defeating former state House speaker Andrew Romanoff in the Democratic primary, and Republican nominee Ken Buck in the general election.{{cite news | first=Karen | last=Crummy | title=Michael Bennet chosen as next Senator | date=January 2, 2009 | url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_11355396 | work=Denver Post | access-date=January 2, 2009}}{{cite news | url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/michael_bennet/index.html | title=Michael Bennet News | last=Johnson | first=Kirk | work=The New York Times}} With a margin of 1.7%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2010 Senate election cycle after the concurrent one in Illinois.

Democratic primary

= Candidates =

==Nominee==

  • Michael Bennet, incumbent U.S. Senator{{cite web | url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003019048 | title=Colorado's Bennet Needs to Get Better Known for 2010 | publisher=CQ Politics | date=January 27, 2009 | access-date=June 14, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309080443/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003019048 | archive-date=March 9, 2009 | url-status=dead }}

== Eliminated in primary ==

  • Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives{{cite web | url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_86/politics/32215-1.html | title=Who Will Face Bennet? | publisher=Roll Call | date=February 10, 2009 | access-date=June 14, 2010}}{{cite news | last=Riley | first=Michael | url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13227508 | title=Denver Post article on Andrew Romanoff | publisher=Denverpost.com | date=August 29, 2009 | access-date=June 14, 2010}}

= Endorsements =

Bennet

  • President Barack Obama{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=Michael |title=Sen. Bennet wins Obama’s support |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/09/17/sen-bennet-wins-obamas-support/ |publisher=The Denver Post |access-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721055419/https://www.denverpost.com/2009/09/17/sen-bennet-wins-obamas-support/ |archive-date=21 July 2024 |date=17 September 2009 |url-status=live}}
  • U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
  • Congresswoman Diana DeGette
  • Congressman Ed Perlmutter
  • Congresswoman Betsy Markey
  • U.S. Senator Mark Udall
  • Congressman Jared Polis
  • Congressman John Salazar
  • Former U.S. Senator Gary Hart
  • Governor Bill Ritter

Romanoff

  • Former president Bill Clinton{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander |title=Clinton rocks Colo., backs Romanoff |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/06/clinton-rocks-colo-backs-romanoff-039178 |publisher=Politico |access-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240721055118/https://www.politico.com/story/2010/06/clinton-rocks-colo-backs-romanoff-039178 |archive-date=21 July 2024 |date=29 June 2010 |url-status=live}}

= Polling =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
valign=bottom

! Poll Source

! Dates Administered

! style="width:100px;"| Michael
Bennet

! style="width:100px;"| Andrew
Romanoff

! Undecided

The Tarrance Group[http://www.coloradopolicyinstitute.com/Key%20Findings%20CPI%209-21-09.pdf The Tarrance Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175536/http://www.coloradopolicyinstitute.com/Key%20Findings%20CPI%209-21-09.pdf |date=July 8, 2011 }}

| September 16–17, 2009

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 41%

| 27%

| 32%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_518.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| May 19, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 46%

| 31%

| 23%

Survey USA[http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_15326334 Survey USA]

| June 15–17, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 53%

| 36%

| 11%

Survey USA[http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_15650614 Survey USA]

| August 1, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 48%

| 7%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_809807.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| August 7–8, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 49%

| 43%

| 9%

= Results =

[[File:CO-Sen 2010 Dem primary.svg|thumb|Results by county:

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#7996e2ff|Bennet}}

|{{legend|#7996e2ff|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#6674deff|60–70%}}

|{{legend|#584cdeff|70–80%}}

|{{legend|#1e1dbeff|80–90%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#aade87|Romanoff}}

|{{legend|#aade87|50–60%}}

}}]]

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic primary results{{cite web | url=http://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Senate/2010/CO | title=Colorado Primary Results | work=Politico | date=August 10, 2010 | access-date=August 11, 2010}}{{cite web |title=State election results, 2010 (PDF) |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |website=Colorado Secretary of State}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael Bennet (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 184,714

| percentage = 54.15%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Andrew Romanoff

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 156,419

| percentage = 45.85%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 341,133

| percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Republican primary

= Candidates =

==Nominee==

== Eliminated in primary ==

  • Jane Norton, former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado{{cite news | last=Bartels | first=Lynn | url=http://www.denverpost.com/election/ci_13146452 | title=Former Lt. Gov. Norton mulling U.S. Senate bid | publisher=The Denver Post | date=August 17, 2009 | access-date=June 14, 2010}}

== Eliminated in convention ==

  • Cleve Tidwell, businessman
  • Robert Greenheck
  • Steve Barton

==Withdrew==

  • Tom Wiens, former state senator{{cite web |date=May 25, 2010 |title=Denver Daily - Wiens, U.S. Senate candidate, drops out |url=http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=8596 |access-date=June 14, 2010 |publisher=Thedenverdailynews.com}}

==Declined==

  • Bob Beauprez, former U.S. Representative for Colorado's 7th congressional district{{cite web | url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0809/Beauprez_not_running_for_Senate.html | title=Beauprez not running for Senate - The Scorecard | publisher=Politico.Com | access-date=June 14, 2010}}
  • Troy Eid, U.S. Attorney for United States District Court for the District of Colorado{{cite web | url=http://coloradoindependent.com/18997/troy-eid-to-resign-run-for-colorado-attorney-general | title=Troy Eid to resign, run for Colorado attorney general | date=January 8, 2009 | publisher=Coloradoindependent.com | access-date=August 21, 2010}}
  • Ryan Frazier, Aurora city councilman{{cite news | last=Fender | first=Jessica | url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13555485 | title=Aurora's Ryan Frazier has work cut out for him in shift to challenge U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter | publisher=The Denver Post | date=October 14, 2009 | access-date=June 14, 2010}}

= Endorsements =

{{Endorsements box | title = Notable Individuals and Organizations endorsing Ken Buck

| list =

  • Jim DeMint, U.S. Senator{{cite web | author=Eli Stokols | url=http://www.kdvr.com/news/politics/kdvr-tea-party-buck-041410,0,2798588.story | title=Tea Party Endorsement: Tea Party idol DeMint endorses Buck in Colorado Senate race | publisher=KDVR | date=April 14, 2010 | access-date=August 21, 2010 | archive-date=July 16, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716234604/http://www.kdvr.com/news/politics/kdvr-tea-party-buck-041410,0,2798588.story | url-status=dead }}
  • Erick Erickson, blogger{{cite web | url=http://coloradoindependent.com/51373/demint-on-buck-endorsement-%E2%80%98weve-got-to-have-an-earthquake-election%E2%80%99 | title=DeMint on Buck endorsement: 'We've got to have an earthquake election' | publisher=Coloradoindependent.com | date=April 23, 2010 | access-date=August 21, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417010019/http://coloradoindependent.com/51373/demint-on-buck-endorsement-%E2%80%98weve-got-to-have-an-earthquake-election%E2%80%99 | archive-date=April 17, 2010 | url-status=dead }}
  • Tom Wiens, state senator{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=408874 | title=CO US Senate - R Primary Race - August 10, 2010 | publisher=Our Campaigns | access-date=August 21, 2010}}

}}

{{Endorsements box | title = Notable Individuals and Organizations endorsing Jane Norton

| list =

According to her website:{{cite web | url=http://janenortonforcolorado.com/_blog/Press/post/Conservatives_Rally_Behind_Norton | title=Conservatives Rally Behind Norton | publisher=Janenortonforcolorado.com | date=May 24, 2010 | access-date=August 21, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818201659/http://janenortonforcolorado.com/_blog/Press/post/Conservatives_Rally_Behind_Norton | archive-date=August 18, 2011 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=408874&ShowAllEndorse=Y | title=CO US Senate - R Primary Race - August 10, 2010 | publisher=Our Campaigns | access-date=August 21, 2010}}

}}

= Polling =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
valign=bottom

! Poll Source

! Dates Administered

! style="width:100px;"| Ken
Buck

! style="width:100px;"| Jane
Norton

The Tarrance Group[http://www.coloradopolicyinstitute.com/Key%20Findings%20CPI%209-21-09.pdf The Tarrance Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175536/http://www.coloradopolicyinstitute.com/Key%20Findings%20CPI%209-21-09.pdf |date=July 8, 2011 }}

| September 16–17, 2009

| 15%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 45%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/demtoplines.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| March 3, 2010

| 17%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 34%

Magellan[http://www.magellanstrategies.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Magellan-Colorado-US-Senate-GOP-Primary-Survey-Release-and-Toplines-060910-Final.pdf Magellan]

| March 14, 2010

| 13%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 41%

Magellan

| April 19, 2010

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 32%

| 29%

Public Policy Polling

| May 19, 2010

| 26%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 31%

Magellan

| June 8, 2010

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 42%

| 32%

Survey USA[https://web.archive.org/web/20120303123930/http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20100620/NEWS/100629988/1008%26parentprofile%3D1001/ Survey USA]

| June 15–17, 2010

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 53%

| 37%

Public Opinion Strategies[https://web.archive.org/web/20100629224255/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/06/norton_releases.php Public Opinion Strategies]

| June 20–21, 2010

| 33%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 39%

Survey USA

| August 1, 2010

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 50%

| 41%

Public Policy Polling

| August 7–8, 2010

| 43%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 45%

= Results =

[[File:CO-Sen 2010 Rep primary.svg|thumb|Results by county:

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#e27f7f|Buck}}

|{{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}

|{{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

| title = {{legend|#ff9955|Norton}}

|{{legend|#ff9955|50–60%}}

|{{legend|#ff7f2a|60–70%}}

}}

{{collapsible list

| title = Tie

|{{legend|#AE8BB1|50%}}

}}

]]

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Republican Primary results}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Ken Buck

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 211,099

| percentage = 51.57%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jane Norton

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 198,231

| percentage = 48.43%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 409,330

| percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Libertarian primary

= Candidates =

== Nominee ==

  • Mac Stringer

== Eliminated in primary ==

  • John Finger

= Results =

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Libertarian Primary results{{cite web | url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2010/by_county/CO_US_Senate_0810.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS | title=Colorado - County Vote Results | date=August 11, 2010 | work=ap.org | access-date=August 3, 2016}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mac Stringer

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 1,186

| percentage = 52.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Finger

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 1,075

| percentage = 47.55%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,261

| percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

General election

= Candidates =

== Major ==

== Minor ==

  • Bob Kinsey (G) ([http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20101104224840/http://www.kinseyforsenate.org/ campaign site, archived November 4, 2010], [http://www.votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=30118 PVS])
  • Charley Miller (I) ([http://charleymiller2010.wordpress.com campaign site], [http://www.votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=124667 PVS])
  • J. Moromisato (I) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20100911085508/http://www.jmoromisatoussenate.com/ campaign site], [http://www.votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=124668 PVS])
  • Jason Napolitano (I) ([http://www.votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=127236 PVS])
  • Mac Stringer (L) ([http://macforcolorado.com campaign site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029000323/http://macforcolorado.com/ |date=October 29, 2010 }}, [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=125320 PVS])
  • Bruce E. Lohmiller (G) (Write-in) ([http://www.congress.org/election/candidate/id/185819 Congress.org])
  • Michele M. Newman (I) (Write-in) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110208052209/http://newman-senate-co.com/])
  • Robert Rank (R) (Write-in) ([http://www.writeinrank.com/]{{Dead link|date=August 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}) campaign site, ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNyYWBcALWE]) YouTube campaign video

Source: [http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/2010PrimaryAndGeneralElection/2010_GENERAL_LIST_LOG.pdf Official Candidate List]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

= Campaign =

This was one of the most expensive elections in the nation, as more than $30 million was spent by outside organizations.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171909/http://cnmnewsnetwork.com/129853/co-colorado-election-2010-results-senate-update [CO] Colorado Election 2010 Results [SENATE UPDATE] | CNM News Network] Conservative third party groups hammered Bennet for voting 92% of the time with the Democratic leadership, including voting for healthcare reform and the stimulus package.[https://web.archive.org/web/20101001010458/http://www.buckforcolorado.com/bennet-vs-bennet%E2%80%94claims-represent-colorado-votes-washington-agenda-92-time Buck for Congress (campaign website)] Liberal third party groups called Buck extremist. Bennet focused on attacking Buck's views on abortion, which he believed should be banned including those of cases of rape and incest. He was also attacked for wanting to eliminate the Seventeenth Amendment{{cite web | last1=Brady | first1=Jeff | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130864318 | title=Money Has Poured Into Colorado's Senate Race | date=October 27, 2010 | work=npr.org | access-date=August 3, 2016}} and refusing to prosecute an alleged rapist as Weld County district attorney. Planned Parenthood mounted a mail campaign, targeting women voters with the warning that "Colorado women can't trust Ken Buck." Bennet won the women vote by 17 points according to exit polls. After the election, Buck conceded to the Denver Post that the main reason why he lost is because of social issues.{{cite web | last1=Burns | first1=Alexander | url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45069.html#ixzz15BNjLgXu | title=Abortion was winning issue for Dems | date=November 13, 2010 | work=politico.com | access-date=August 3, 2016}}

= Debates =

  • September 12: Sponsored by Club 20 in Grand Junction{{cite web | url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/09/buck-and-bennet-trade-jabs-in-feisty-colorado-senate-debate.html | title=Buck and Bennet Trade Jabs In Feisty Colorado Senate Debate | first=Amy | last=Walter | date=September 12, 2010 | work=abcnews.com | access-date=August 3, 2016}}

= Predictions =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Source

! Ranking

! As of

Cook Political Report{{Cite web | url=http://cookpolitical.com/senate | title=Senate | publisher=Cook Political Report | access-date=October 26, 2010}}

| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

| October 26, 2010

Inside Elections{{Cite web | url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/ratings/senate | title=Senate Ratings | publisher=Rothenberg Political Report | access-date=October 26, 2010}}

| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

| October 22, 2010

RealClearPolitics{{Cite web | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/senate/2010_elections_senate_map.html | title=Battle for the Senate | publisher=RealClearPolitics | access-date=October 26, 2010}}

| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

| October 26, 2010

Sabato's Crystal Ball{{Cite web | url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate | title=2010 Senate Ratings | publisher=Sabato's Crystal Ball | access-date=October 26, 2010 | archive-date=October 28, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ | url-status=dead }}

| {{USRaceRating|Lean|R|Flip}}

| October 21, 2010

CQ Politics{{Cite web | url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate | title=Race Ratings Chart: Senate | publisher=CQ Politics | access-date=October 26, 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate | archive-date=October 28, 2010 }}

| {{USRaceRating|Tossup}}

| October 26, 2010

= Polling =

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
valign=bottom

! Poll source

! Date(s) administered

! style="width:100px;"| Michael
Bennet (D)

! style="width:100px;"| Ken
Buck (R)

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_422.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| April 17–19, 2009

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 40%

| 39%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_818821.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| August 14–16, 2009

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 39%

| 35%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_2010_colorado_senate_september_9_2009 Rasmussen Reports]

| September 9, 2009

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 43%

| 37%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_2010_colorado_senate_december_8_2009 Rasmussen Reports]

| December 8, 2009

| 38%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 42%

Daily Kos/Research 2000[http://www.dailykos.com/statepoll/2010/1/13/CO/424 Daily Kos/Research 2000]

| January 11–13, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 41%

| 38%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_2010_colorado_senate_january_13_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| January 13, 2010

| 38%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 43%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/election_2010_colorado_senate Rasmussen Reports]

| February 2, 2010

| 41%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 45%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_march_2_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| March 2, 2010

| 38%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 44%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_312.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| March 5–8, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 47%

| 40%

Rasmussen Reports

| April 5, 2010

| 40%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 44%

Rasmussen Reports

| May 3, 2010

| 41%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_519.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| May 19, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 45%

| 39%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_june_7_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| June 7, 2010

| 41%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 46%

Survey USA

| June 15–17, 2010

| 43%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 46%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_i_july_8_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| July 8, 2010

| 39%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_july_26_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| July 26, 2010

| 42%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

Survey USA[http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15642187 Survey USA]

| August 1, 2010

| 43%

| 43%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_810.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| August 10, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 46%

| 43%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/election_2010_colorado_senate Rasmussen Reports]

| August 11, 2010

| 41%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 46%

Ipsos/Reuters[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67O3QM20100825?type=politicsNews Ipsos/Reuters]

| August 20–22, 2010

| 40%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_august_29_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| August 30, 2010

| 44%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 47%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/toplines/toplines_colorado_senate_september_14_2010 Rasmussen Reports]

| September 14, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49%

CNN/Time[http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/22/topstate3.pdf CNN/Time]

| September 17–21, 2010

| 44%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49%

Rasmussen Reports

| September 27, 2010

| 43%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 51%

Rasmussen Reports[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/colorado/colorado_senate_buck_r_clears_50_mark_against_bennet_d Rasmussen Reports]

| September 27, 2010

| 43%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 51%

McClatchy/Marist[http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/10/01/101500/gop-senate-candidates-lead-in.html McClatchy/Marist]

| September 26–28, 2010

| 42%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 50%

Survey USA[http://www.denverpost.com/election2010/ci_16239150 Survey USA]

| September 28–30, 2010

| 43%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_105925.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| September 30 – October 2, 2010

| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | 46%

| 45%

Rasmussen Reports

| October 14, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 47%

Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research[http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/CO_Topline.pdf Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research]

| October 16, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 46%

Ipsos/Reuters[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69451X20101019 Ipsos/Reuters]

| October 18, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

SurveyUSA[http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_16419023 SurveyUSA]

| October 19–21, 2010

| 47%

| 47%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_10251118.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| October 21–23, 2010

| 47%

| 47%

Rasmussen Reports

| October 25, 2010

| 44%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 48%

CNN/Time/Opinion Research[http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/10/27/topstate8.pdf CNN/Time/Opinion Research]

| October 20–26, 2010

| 46%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 47%

Marist College[http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/misc/CO101026/October%2030,%202010_CO_Complete%20Survey%20Findings.pdf Marist College]

| October 26–28, 2010

| 45%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49%

Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research

| October 30, 2010

| 46%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 50%

Public Policy Polling[http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_CO_1101424.pdf Public Policy Polling]

| October 30–31, 2010

| 48%

| {{Party shading/Republican}} | 49%

= Fundraising =

These totals reflect the campaign accounts of the candidates themselves, and do not include independent expenditures by other groups.

class="wikitable sortable"
Candidate (Party)

! Receipts

! Disbursements

! Cash On Hand

! Debt

{{Party shading/Democratic }} | Michael Bennet (D)

| $11,463,661

| $10,698,578

| $763,541

| $887,692

{{Party shading/Republican}} | Ken Buck (R)

| $3,827,432

| $3,011,656

| $1,039,994

| $100,000

colspan=5 | Source: Federal Election Commission{{cite web | url=http://www.fec.gov/DisclosureSearch/HSProcessCandList.do?category=stateS_all&stateName=CO&election_yr=2010 | title=2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Colorado | publisher=fec.gov | access-date=August 12, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

= Results =

{{Election box begin

| title = United States Senate election in Colorado, 2010{{Cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/electionresults2010/general/ColoradoReport.html |title=State Cumulative Report |access-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129155108/http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/electionresults2010/general/ColoradoReport.html |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/colorado | title=Colorado - Election Results 2010 - The New York Times | work=The New York Times | access-date=August 3, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Gessler |first1=Scott |last2=Hobbs |first2=William A. |last3=Choate |first3=Judd |title=2010 Abstract of Votes Cast |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2010AbstractBook.pdf |publisher=Office of Secretary of State - State of Colorado}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Michael Bennet (incumbent)

| votes = 854,685

| percentage = 48.08%

| change = -3.22%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Ken Buck

| votes = 824,789

| percentage = 46.40%

| change = -0.13%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Green Party of the United States

| candidate = Bob Kinsey

| votes = 38,884

| percentage = 2.19%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Maclyn Stringer

| votes = 22,646

| percentage = 1.27%

| change = +0.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = Jason Napolitano

| votes = 19,450

| percentage = 1.09%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = Charley Miller

| votes = 11,351

| percentage = 0.64%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Independent

| candidate = J. Moromisato

| votes = 5,780

| percentage = 0.33%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

|votes = 83

|percentage = 0.07%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 1,777,668

| percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

== Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican ==

== Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic ==

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}