2026 Colorado gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{for|related races|2026 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election
| country = Colorado
| type = gubernatorial
| ongoing = yes
| previous_election = 2022 Colorado gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 2022
| next_election = 2030 Colorado gubernatorial election
| next_year = 2030
| election_date = November 3, 2026
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| title = Governor
| before_election = Jared Polis
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election =
| after_party =
}}
{{ElectionsCO}}
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
= Candidates =
== Declared ==
- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator (2009–present){{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Caitlyn |title=Sen. Michael Bennet is officially running for governor|url=https://www.cpr.org/2025/04/11/michael-bennet-running-for-colorado-governor/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=April 11, 2025 |date=April 11, 2025}}
- Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General (2019–present){{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Jesse |title=Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/02/phil-weiser-colorado-governor-2026/ |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=The Colorado Sun |date=January 2, 2025}}
== Potential ==
- 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){{cite news |access-date=March 24, 2025 |url=https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/21/interview-former-colorado-senator-ken-salazar-mexico-ambassador/ |date=March 21, 2025 |work=Colorado Public Radio |author=Cotton, Anthony |title=Interview: Colorado's Ken Salazar on trade with Mexico, border security, cartels, and what he calls the Gulf}}
== Declined ==
- Jason Crow, U.S. Representative for {{ushr|CO|6}} (2019–present) (endorsed Bennet, running for re-election){{cite news |last1=Luning |first1=Ernest |title=Fields for Colorado's top 2026 statewide, congressional races begin to take shape |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/columnists/fields-for-colorados-top-2026-statewide-congressional-races-begin-to-take-shape--trail-mix/article_ad28c448-5791-49a9-a7bd-ef5202a269f8.html |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=Colorado Politics |date=May 9, 2025 |language=en |quote=Every incumbent member of Congress from Colorado who is up for election next year is seeking another term}}
- Crisanta Duran, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2017–2019) from the 5th district (2011–2019) and candidate for {{ushr|CO|1}} in 2020{{cite news |work=KUSA |access-date=December 18, 2024 |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/poll-democratic-candidates-colorado-governor/73-d137801d-3933-48a1-80f7-acbd2996eaa5 |author=Zelinger, Marshall |date=December 16, 2024 |title=Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor}} (running for attorney general){{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Jesse |title=Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/02/27/crisanta-duran-attorney-general-colorado-2026-election/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |work=The Colorado Sun |date=February 27, 2025 |language=en}}
- Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State (2019–present) (running for attorney general){{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Jesse |title=Jena Griswold is running to be Colorado's next attorney general |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/07/jena-griswold-colorado-attorney-general/ |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=The Colorado Sun |date=April 7, 2025 |quote=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.}}
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018{{Cite web |last=Zornio |first=Trish |date=2024-04-01 |title=Zornio: These 6 women could replace Jared Polis in 2026. They're not who you think. |url=https://coloradosun.com/2024/04/01/women-governor-polis-opinion-zornio/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=The Colorado Sun |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420033601/https://coloradosun.com/2024/04/01/women-governor-polis-opinion-zornio/ |quote=Johnston has promised not to [run for governor] on the heels of his election. |url-status=live }} (endorsed Bennet)
- Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative for {{ushr|CO|2}} (2019–present) and nominee for Secretary of State in 2014 (endorsed Bennet, running for re-election){{cite news |date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=April 12, 2025 |work=Colorado Newsline |author=Woodruff, Chase |url=https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/04/11/michael-bennet-upends-race-colorado-governor-bid/ |title=Michael Bennet upends race with Colorado governor bid |quote=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}}
= Endorsements =
{{Endorsements box
|title=Michael Bennet
|list=
U.S. senators
- John Hickenlooper, U.S. Senator from Colorado (2021–present)
U.S. representatives
- Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative from Colorado's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)
- Jason Crow, U.S. Representative from Colorado's 6th congressional district (2019–present)
State legislators
- James Coleman, President of the Colorado Senate (2025–present) from the 33rd district (2021–present)
- Julie McCluskie, 62nd Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 13th district (2019–present)
Local officials
- Michael Hancock, former mayor of Denver (2011–2023){{cite web |last1=McRae |first1=Jennifer |title=Sen. Michael Bennet announces campaign for governor of Colorado |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/sen-michael-bennet-announces-campaign-governor-colorado/ |website=CBS News |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=April 11, 2025}}
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present){{cite web |last1=Paul |first1=Jesse |title=Michael Bennet’s campaign for Colorado governor has officially begun. So has the power struggle to fill his Senate seat. |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/11/michael-bennet-colorado-governor-bid-2026/ |website=The Colorado Sun |access-date=11 April 2025 |date=April 11, 2025}}
- Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver (1991–2003)
}}
{{Endorsements box
|title=Phil Weiser
|list=
Statewide officials
- Roy Romer, former governor of Colorado (1987–1999){{cite web |last1=Solender |first1=Andrew |last2=Frank |first2=John |last3=Neukam |first3=Stephen |title=Scoop: Michael Bennet to launch bid for Colorado governor |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/04/10/michael-bennet-colorado-governor-2026-election |website=Axios |access-date=10 April 2025}}
U.S. representatives
- Ed Perlmutter, former U.S. Representative from Colorado's 7th congressional district (2007–2023){{Cite news|url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/02/phil-weiser-colorado-governor-2026/|title=Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor|last=Paul|first=Jesse|date=January 2, 2025|accessdate=April 11, 2025|work=The Colorado Sun}}
Individuals
- Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado (1975–1987)
}}
= Polling =
{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#cff|title=Hypothetical polling|contentstyle=border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;}}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;" |
| valign=bottom
! Poll source ! Date(s) ! Sample ! Margin ! style="width:75px;"| Jena ! style="width:75px;"| Joe ! style="width:75px;"| Ken ! style="width:75px;"| Phil ! Other ! Undecided |
| style="text-align:left;"|Healthier Colorado/Magellan Strategies{{cite web |last1=Zelinger |first1=Marshall |title=Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/poll-democratic-candidates-colorado-governor/73-d137801d-3933-48a1-80f7-acbd2996eaa5 |publisher=KUSA |access-date=17 December 2024 |date=16 November 2024}}
| December 4–9, 2024 | 630 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 16% | {{party shading/Democratic}} |20% | 11% | 8% | 8% | {{party shading/Undecided}} |37% |
{{hidden end}}
Republican primary
= Candidates =
== Declared ==
- Mark Baisley, state senator for the 4th district (2023–present){{cite news |last1=Birkeland |first1=Bente |title=Mark Baisley becomes second Republican state lawmaker to enter Colorado's 2026 race for governor |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/03/03/mark-baisley-colorado-governor-2026/ |access-date=March 3, 2025 |work=The Colorado Sun |date=March 3, 2025}}
- Scott Bottoms, state representative for the 15th district (2023–present){{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Jesse |title=Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026 |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/20/scott-bottoms-colorado-governor-2026/ |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=The Colorado Sun |date=January 20, 2025}}
- Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010{{cite news |last1=Metzger |first1=Hannah |title=Third Time's the Charm? Jason Clark Is Running for Colorado Governor...Again |url=https://www.westword.com/news/third-times-the-charm-jason-clark-running-colorado-governor-23107563 |access-date=January 22, 2025 |work=Westword |date=January 22, 2025 |language=en}}
- Greg Lopez, former U.S. Representative for {{ushr|CO|4}} (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022{{cite news |last1=Klamann |first1=Seth |title=Former congressman Greg Lopez announces third run for Colorado governor |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/14/greg-lopez-colorado-governor-race-election-republican/ |access-date=April 14, 2025 |work=The Denver Post |date=April 14, 2025}}
- Jason Mikesell, Teller County Sheriff{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Lauren |title=Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell running for Colorado governor |url=https://www.kktv.com/2025/03/13/teller-county-sheriff-jason-mikesell-running-colorado-governor/ |access-date=March 13, 2025 |work=KKTV |date=March 13, 2025 |language=en}}
== Filed paperwork ==
- Stevan Gess{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for Steven Gass on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=61697 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Colorado Secretary of State |language=en-US |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203071612/https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=61697 |url-status=live }}
- Jon Gray-Ginsberg, candidate for governor in 2022{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for Jon Gray-Ginsburg on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=56025 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Colorado Secretary of State |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706194628/https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=56025 |url-status=live }}
- Robin Jones{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for Robin Jones on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=61676 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Colorado Secretary of State |language=en-US}}
== Publicly expressed interest ==
- Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator for the 23rd district (2021–present) and nominee for {{ushr|CO|8}} in 2022
== Potential ==
- Paul Lundeen, Minority Leader of the Colorado Senate (2023–present) from the 9th district (2019–present){{Cite web |last=Pols |first=Colorado |date=2024-11-18 |title=Peace Out, 2024: The 2026 Big Line is Here |url=https://www.coloradopols.com/diary/207737/peace-out-2024-the-2026-big-line-is-here |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Colorado Pols |language=en-US}}
Other Parties
= American Constitution =
== Filed paperwork ==
Independents
= Filed paperwork =
- Jon Collamer{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for Rev Willow Collamer on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?SeqID=61694 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Colorado Secretary of State |language=en-US}}
- William "Will" McBride{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for William "Will" McBride on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?Type=CA&SeqID=62336 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=tracer.sos.colorado.gov}}
- Bradley Allen Wall{{Cite web |title=Candidate registration for Bradley Allen Wall on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER |url=https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CandidateDetail.aspx?Type=CA&SeqID=63223 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=tracer.sos.colorado.gov}}
= Declined =
- Kent Thiry, former CEO of DaVita{{cite news |work=Colorado Public Radio |author=Kenney, Andrew |access-date=September 3, 2024 |url=https://www.cpr.org/2024/08/20/kent-thiry-reshaped-colorado-electoral-system-initiative-310/ |date=August 20, 2024 |title=The multimillionaire who reshaped Colorado's electoral system wants to make even bigger changes |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903160804/https://www.cpr.org/2024/08/20/kent-thiry-reshaped-colorado-electoral-system-initiative-310/ |quote=During a recent interview at his mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Thiry said he would not run for the state’s highest office. |url-status=live }}
General election
=Predictions=
| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
!Source !Ranking !As of |
| align=left | The Cook Political Report{{cite web |title=2026 CPR Governor Race ratings |url=https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/governor-race-ratings |website=Cook Political Report |access-date=January 23, 2025 |language=en}}
| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}} | January 23, 2025 |
| align=left | Inside Elections{{Cite web |title=Gubernatorial Ratings |url=https://insideelections.com/ratings/governor |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Inside Elections |language=en}}
| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}} | February 6, 2025 |
| align=left | Sabato's Crystal Ball{{cite web |title=2026 Governor |url=https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-governor/ |website=Sabato's Crystal Ball |access-date=May 1, 2025}}
| {{USRaceRating|Solid|D}} | May 1, 2025 |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
;Official campaign websites
- [https://markbaisley.com/ Mark Baisley (R) for Governor]
- [https://www.michaelbennet.com/ Michael Bennet (D) for Governor]
- [https://www.scottbottoms.com/ Scott Bottoms (R) for Governor]
- [https://www.greglopez.co/ Greg Lopez (R) for Governor]
- [https://www.mikesell4gov.com/ Jason Mikesell (R) for Governor]
- [https://mcbrideforgovernor.com/ Will McBride (I) for Governor]
- [https://philforcolorado.com/ Phil Weiser (D) for Governor]
{{2026 United States elections}}