2026 Colorado gubernatorial election

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

Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General (2019–present)^[1]

Publicly expressed interest

Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator (2009–present) (decision expected in early April 2025)^[2]

Potential

Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) and nominee for Secretary of State in 2014^[3]^[4]
Ken Salazar, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009–2013) and former U.S. Senator (2005–2009)^[4]^[5]

Declined

Jason Crow, U.S. Representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district (2019–present)^[6]
Crisanta Duran, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2017–2019) from the 5th district (2011–2019) and candidate for Colorado's 1st congressional district in 2020^[3] (running for attorney general)^[7]
Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State (2019–present) (running for attorney general)^[8]
Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018^[9]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Jena Griswold	Joe Neguse	Ken Salazar	Phil Weiser	Other	Undecided
Healthier Colorado/Magellan Strategies^[10]	December 4–9, 2024	630 (LV)	± 3.9%	16%	20%	11%	8%	8%	37%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Mark Baisley, state senator for the 4th district (2023–present)^[11]
Scott Bottoms, state representative for the 15th district (2023–present)^[4]
Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010^[12]
Jason Mikesell, Teller County Sheriff^[13]

Filed paperwork

Stevan Gess^[14]
Jon Gray-Ginsberg, candidate for governor in 2022^[15]
Robin Jones^[16]

Publicly expressed interest

Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator for the 23rd district (2021–present) and nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022^[3]

Potential

Greg Lopez, former U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022^[17]^[3]
Paul Lundeen, Minority Leader of the Colorado Senate (2023–present) from the 9th district (2019–present)^[17]

Other Parties

American Constitution

Filed paperwork

Stephen Hamilton^[18]

Independents

Filed paperwork

Willow Collamer^[19]

Declined

Kent Thiry, former CEO of DaVita^[20]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[21]	Solid D	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections^[22]	Solid D	February 6, 2025

Notes

^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

References

^ Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
^ Martin, Jonathan (March 29, 2025). "Will Michael Bennet Shift his Fight Against Trump to the State House?". Politico. Retrieved March 29, 2025. Bennet is almost certain to run for governor in his adopted state next year, according to multiple Democrats in Washington and Denver. In an hour-long interview this week, Bennet made little attempt to hide his intentions, telling me he'll reveal his plans in early April.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Zelinger, Marshall (December 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Paul, Jesse (January 20, 2025). "Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
^ Cotton, Anthony (March 21, 2025). "Interview: Colorado's Ken Salazar on trade with Mexico, border security, cartels, and what he calls the Gulf". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
^ Frank, John (March 10, 2025). "Jason Crow takes top Dem post, won't seek Colorado governor's office". Axios. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
^ Paul, Jesse (February 27, 2025). "Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
^ Paul, Jesse (April 7, 2025). "Jena Griswold is running to be Colorado's next attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2025. Griswold was also considering a 2026 bid to be Colorado's next governor. But those plans changed in the wake of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's expected gubernatorial candidacy.
^ Zornio, Trish (April 1, 2024). "Zornio: These 6 women could replace Jared Polis in 2026. They're not who you think". The Colorado Sun. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024. Johnston has promised not to [run for governor] on the heels of his election.
^ Zelinger, Marshall (November 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
^ Birkeland, Bente (March 3, 2025). "Mark Baisley becomes second Republican state lawmaker to enter Colorado's 2026 race for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
^ Metzger, Hannah (January 22, 2025). "Third Time's the Charm? Jason Clark Is Running for Colorado Governor...Again". Westword. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
^ Watson, Lauren (March 13, 2025). "Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell running for Colorado governor". KKTV. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
^ "Candidate registration for Steven Gass on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^ "Candidate registration for Jon Gray-Ginsburg on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
^ "Candidate registration for Robin Jones on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Pols, Colorado (November 18, 2024). "Peace Out, 2024: The 2026 Big Line is Here". Colorado Pols. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
^ "Candidate registration for Stephen Hamilton on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^ "Candidate registration for Rev Willow Collamer on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
^ Kenney, Andrew (August 20, 2024). "The multimillionaire who reshaped Colorado's electoral system wants to make even bigger changes". Colorado Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024. During a recent interview at his mansion in Cherry Hills Village, Thiry said he would not run for the state's highest office.
^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

External Links

Official campaign websites

[Key-10] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[1] Paul, Jesse (January 2, 2025). "Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser launches 2026 campaign for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2025.

[2] Martin, Jonathan (March 29, 2025). "Will Michael Bennet Shift his Fight Against Trump to the State House?". Politico. Retrieved March 29, 2025. Bennet is almost certain to run for governor in his adopted state next year, according to multiple Democrats in Washington and Denver. In an hour-long interview this week, Bennet made little attempt to hide his intentions, telling me he'll reveal his plans in early April.

[leading-3] Zelinger, Marshall (December 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 18, 2024.

[bottoms-4] Paul, Jesse (January 20, 2025). "Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 20, 2025.

[5] Cotton, Anthony (March 21, 2025). "Interview: Colorado's Ken Salazar on trade with Mexico, border security, cartels, and what he calls the Gulf". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved March 24, 2025.

[6] Frank, John (March 10, 2025). "Jason Crow takes top Dem post, won't seek Colorado governor's office". Axios. Retrieved March 10, 2025.

[7] Paul, Jesse (February 27, 2025). "Crisanta Duran, a former Colorado House speaker, jumps into 2026 race for attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved February 27, 2025.

[8] Paul, Jesse (April 7, 2025). "Jena Griswold is running to be Colorado's next attorney general". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2025. Griswold was also considering a 2026 bid to be Colorado's next governor. But those plans changed in the wake of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet's expected gubernatorial candidacy.

[Zornio-9] 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.

[11] Zelinger, Marshall (November 16, 2024). "Poll shows Rep. Joe Neguse leading Democratic candidates in race for Colorado governor". KUSA. Retrieved December 17, 2024.

[12] Birkeland, Bente (March 3, 2025). "Mark Baisley becomes second Republican state lawmaker to enter Colorado's 2026 race for governor". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

[13] Metzger, Hannah (January 22, 2025). "Third Time's the Charm? Jason Clark Is Running for Colorado Governor...Again". Westword. Retrieved January 22, 2025.

[14] Watson, Lauren (March 13, 2025). "Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell running for Colorado governor". KKTV. Retrieved March 13, 2025.

[15] "Candidate registration for Steven Gass on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.

[16] "Candidate registration for Jon Gray-Ginsburg on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.

[17] "Candidate registration for Robin Jones on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved November 24, 2024.

[Pols-18] Pols, Colorado (November 18, 2024). "Peace Out, 2024: The 2026 Big Line is Here". Colorado Pols. Retrieved November 24, 2024.

[19] "Candidate registration for Stephen Hamilton on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.

[20] "Candidate registration for Rev Willow Collamer on Colorado Secretary of State TRACER". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved December 2, 2024.

[21] 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.

[22] "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.

[23] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[a]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

v t e (2025 ←) 2026 United States elections (→ 2027)
U.S. Senate	Alabama Alaska Arkansas Colorado Delaware Florida (special) Georgia Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina Ohio (special) Oklahoma Oregon Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Virginia West Virginia Wyoming
U.S. House	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Vermont Wisconsin Wyoming
Lieutenant governors	Alabama Arkansas California Georgia Idaho Nevada Oklahoma Rhode Island Texas Vermont
Attorneys general	Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Mexico New York North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Vermont Wisconsin
Secretaries of state	Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Vermont Wisconsin Wyoming
State treasurers	Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maryland Massachusetts Nebraska Nevada New Mexico New York Ohio Oklahoma Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Vermont Wisconsin Wyoming
Judicial	Alabama Supreme Court Minnesota Tennessee Wisconsin Supreme Court
Other statewide elections	Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Auditor
State legislatures	Alabama House Senate Alaska House Senate Arizona House Senate Arkansas House Senate California Assembly Senate Colorado House Senate Connecticut House Senate Delaware House Senate Florida House Senate Georgia House Senate Hawaii House Senate Idaho House Senate Illinois House Senate Indiana House Senate Iowa House Senate Kansas House Kentucky House Senate Maine House Senate Maryland House Senate Massachusetts House Senate Michigan House Senate Minnesota House Senate Missouri House Senate Montana House Senate Nebraska Nevada Assembly Senate New Hampshire House Senate New Mexico House New York Assembly Senate North Carolina House Senate North Dakota House Senate Ohio House Senate Oklahoma House Senate Oregon House Senate Pennsylvania House Senate Rhode Island House Senate South Carolina House South Dakota House Senate Tennessee House Senate Texas House Senate Utah House Senate Vermont House Senate Washington House Senate West Virginia House Senate Wisconsin Assembly Senate Wyoming House Senate
Mayors	Los Angeles, CA Washington, DC
Local	Anne Arundel County, MD Baltimore County, MD Frederick County, MD Harford County, MD Howard County, MD Los Angeles, CA Montgomery County, MD Orange County, FL Prince George's County, MD Wicomico County, MD
Statewide	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Polling

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Filed paperwork

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Other Parties

American Constitution

Filed paperwork

Independents

Filed paperwork

Declined

General election

Predictions

See also

Notes

References

External Links