The 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Colorado . Incumbent Democratic governor John Hickenlooper was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. The primary election was held on June 26.[1]
Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...
Close
The major party nominees were Democratic U.S. Representative Jared Polis and Republican State Treasurer Walker Stapleton . The general election took place on November 6, 2018, with Polis winning by 268,000 votes.[2] [3] This was the first Colorado gubernatorial election in which both major party candidates received over one million votes.
Polis's victory marked the fourth straight election in which Colorado elected a Democratic governor and the first time in American electoral history that an openly gay politician was elected governor of a state.
With Hickenlooper ineligible to run for a third term in office, multiple Democratic politicians vied for the party's nomination for governor. Prior to his resignation in 2015, former lieutenant governor Joseph Garcia was seen as a probable candidate for governor in 2018.[4]
Candidates
Eliminated in the primary
Eliminated at the convention
Erik Underwood, former congressional aide, Republican candidate for GA-10 in 2007 and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016
Caucus results
On March 6, 2018, Democrats of precincts across Colorado met and voted how many delegates each candidate who was caucusing on the ballot would get. As of March 11, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., 96.83% of precincts had reported and added up to the below results.[25]
Cary Kennedy (11,700; 49.2%)
Jared Polis (7,784; 32.7%)
Mike Johnston (2,086; 8.8%)
Noel Ginsburg (433; 1.8%), dropped out of race
Erik Underwood (100; 0.4%)
Uncommitted (1,668; 7%)
Endorsements
Jared Polis
Organizations
Colorado Professional Firefighters (CPFF)
Humane Society
IBEW Colorado – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
National Cannabis Industry Association
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Pipefitters Local 208
Sierra Club
Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Victory Fund
Federal officials
State Senators
State Representatives
County Commissioners
Jorge Amaya, former, Alamosa County
Hillary Cooper, San Miguel County Commissioner
Thomas Davidson, Summit County
Cindy Domenico, Boulder County
Deb Gardner , Boulder County
Dan Gibbs , Summit County
Eva Henry, Adams County
Elise Jones, Boulder County
Tim Mauck, Clear Creek
Buffie McFadyen , former, Pueblo County
Garrison Ortiz, Pueblo County
Sal Pace , Pueblo County
Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County
Will Toor, former, Boulder County
Mayors
Christine Berg, Lafayette
Dennis Coombs , former, Longmont
Cecil Gutierrez, Loveland
Suzanne Jones, Boulder
Bob Muckle, Louisville
Sean Murphy, Telluride
Susan Osborne , former, Boulder
Gustavo Reynar, pro tem, Lafayette
Tiffany A. Snyder, former, Ward
Dr. John Warner, former, Breckenridge
Jacque Whitsitt, Basalt
City Councilors
Yolanda Avila, Colorado Springs
Rich Ball, Loveland
Aaron Brockett, Boulder
Dean Brookie, Durango
Ed Brown, Pueblo
Maria De Cambra, Westminster
Mack Goodman, Thornton
Leah Johnson, Loveland
Kevin Kreeger, Broomfield
Paul Lopez, Denver
Ramona Martinez, former, Denver
Lisa Morzel, Boulder
Francoise Poinsatte, former, Boulder
Andy Schultheiss, former, Boulder
Andrew Shoemaker, Boulder
Richard Skorman, Colorado Springs
Kristin Stephen, Fort Collins
Sam Weaver, Boulder
Others
Anthony Aragon, LGBTQ leader
Beverly Breakstone, Summit County Assessor
Jeff Chostner, Pueblo County District Attorney , former County Commissioner , former State Representative
Nancy Cronk, Director of the Cunningham Fire Protection District's Board of Directors
Stan Garnnet, Boulder County District Attorney
Bob Hullinghorst, former Boulder County Treasurer
Dave Levy, Thompson School Board member
Denise Montague, Thompson School Board member
Rick Palacio , former Colorado Democratic Party Chairman
Beverly Benavidez Ryken, former Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party
Angelika Schroeder, Chairwoman of the State Board of Education
Jeri Shepherd, DNC member
John Tayer, former RTD Board member
Nancy Tellez, former Poudre School Board member
Mike Johnston
Federal officials
State officials
Irene Aguilar , State Senator
Terrance Carroll , former Speaker of the House of Representatives
James Coleman , State Representative
Kerry Donovan , State Senator
Rhonda Fields , State Senator
Joyce Foster , former State Senator
Angela Giron , former State Senator
Millie Hamner , State Representative
Richard Lamm , former Governor[29]
John Morse , former State Senate President
Christine Scanlan , former State Representative
Wilma Webb , former State Representative[30]
Local officials
Gabrielle Aragon, former San Luis Council member
Albus Brooks, Denver City Council President
Lisa Flores, Denver Public School Board of Education member
Tracy Johnson, Academy District 20 Board of Education member
Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle County Commissioner[31]
Theresa Peña, formerDenver Public Schools Board of Education member[32]
Christina Rinderle, former Durango Mayor
Wellington Webb , former Mayor of Denver [30]
Organizations
Students for Education Reform[33]
Newspapers
Individuals
Cary Kennedy
Federal officials
State officials
State legislators
Betty Boyd , former state senator[35]
Joan Fitz-Gerald , former President of the Colorado Senate [35]
Evie Hudak , former state senator[35]
Daniel Kagan , State Senator[35]
Chris Kennedy , State Representative[35]
Pete Lee , State Representative[35]
Susan Lontine , State Representative[35]
Alice Madden, former Majority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives [35]
Rosemary Marshall, former State Representative[35]
Michael Merrifield , State Senator[35]
Jeanne Nicholson , former State Senator[35]
Pat Pascoe, former State Senator[35]
Tom Plant , former State Representative and former Director of the Governor’s Energy Office[35]
Peggy Reeves, former State Senator[35]
Joe Rice , former State Representative and former Mayor of Glendale [35]
Chris Romer , former State Senator[35]
Dorothy Rupert, former State Senator[35]
Brandon Shaffer , former President of the Colorado Senate [35]
Gloria Tanner , former State Senator[35]
Suzanne Williams , former State Senator[35]
Dave Young , State Representative[35]
Local officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Donna Lynne
State legislators
Janet Buckner, State Representative
Jean Dubofsky, former state Supreme Court Justice
JoAnn Ginal, State Representative
Lucia Guzman, State Senator
Local officials
Leanna Clark, vice chancellor for the University of Colorado Denver
Kathy Maloney Green, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s former spokeswoman
Jacque Montgomery, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s spokeswoman
Marguerite Salazar, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies executive director
Tamra Ward, Denver Zoo chief external relations officer
Ed Perlmutter (withdrawn)
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Close
Results
Results by county:
30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Close
Candidates
Eliminated in the primary
Eliminated at the convention
Caucus results
Based on information shared by some key counties, as well as a recent survey, the following are believed to be results of the Republican Caucus from key counties.[66]
Pueblo County
Douglas County
Endorsements
George Brauchler (withdrawn)
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Cynthia Coffman
Greg Lopez
Victor Mitchell
Doug Robinson
Walker Stapleton
Other
Undecided
Magellan Strategies (R)
June 6–7, 2018
593
± 4.0%
–
10%
23%
4%
36%
–
27%
TargetPoint/GQR
March 2018
–
–
7%
–
–
–
15%
16%
62%
Magellan Strategies (R)
February 26–27, 2018
647
± 3.9%
13%
–
5%
8%
26%
9%
39%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
George Brauchler
Cynthia Coffman
Victor Mitchell
Doug Robinson
Walker Stapleton
Tom Tancredo
Undecided
University of Colorado Boulder
November 9–15, 2017
250
± 3.5%
4%
6%
1%
1%
8%
25%
54%
Braynard Group (R)
September 26–28, 2017
400
± 3.2%
7%
6%
1%
0.3%
8.5%
22%
54%
Close
Results
Results by county:
30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Close
Debates
More information Dates, Location ...
Close
Predictions
More information Source, Ranking ...
Source
Ranking
As of
The Cook Political Report [74]
Lean D
October 26, 2018
The Washington Post [75]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight [76]
Likely D
November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report [77]
Lean D
November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball [78]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics [79]
Lean D
November 4, 2018
Daily Kos [80]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
Fox News [81] [lower-alpha 1]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
Politico [82]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
Governing [83]
Lean D
November 5, 2018
Close
Notes
The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races.
Endorsements
Jared Polis (D)
Organizations
Colorado Professional Firefighters (CPFF)
Humane Society
IBEW Colorado, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
National Cannabis Industry Association
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Pipefitters Local 208
Sierra Club
Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Victory Fund
Federal officials
State officials
State Senators
State Representatives
County Commissioners
Jorge Amaya, former, Alamosa County
Hillary Cooper, San Miguel County Commissioner
Thomas Davidson, Summit County
Cindy Domenico, Boulder County
Deb Gardner , Boulder County
Dan Gibbs , Summit County
Eva Henry, Adams County
Elise Jones, Boulder County
Tim Mauck, Clear Creek
Buffie McFadyen , former, Pueblo County
Garrison Ortiz, Pueblo County
Sal Pace , Pueblo County
Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County
Will Toor, former, Boulder County
Mayors
Michael Hancock , Denver [96]
Suzanne Jones, Boulder
Jacque Whitsitt, Basalt
Christine Berg, Lafayette
Gustavo Reynar, pro tem, Lafayette
Cecil Gutierrez, Loveland
Dennis Coombs , former, Longmont
Bob Muckle, Louisville
Sean Murphy, Telluride
Susan Osborne , former, Boulder
Dr. John Warner, former, Breckenridge
Tiffany A. Snyder, former, Ward
City Councilors
Yolanda Avila, Colorado Springs
Rich Ball, Loveland
Aaron Brockett, Boulder
Dean Brookie, Durango
Ed Brown, Pueblo
Maria De Cambra, Westminster
Mack Goodman, Thornton
Leah Johnson, Loveland
Kevin Kreeger, Broomfield
Paul Lopez, Denver
Ramona Martinez, former, Denver
Lisa Morzel, Boulder
Francoise Poinsatte, former, Boulder
Andy Schultheiss, former, Boulder
Andrew Shoemaker, Boulder
Richard Skorman, Colorado Springs
Kristin Stephen, Fort Collins
Sam Weaver , Boulder
Others
Anthony Aragon, LGBTQ leader
Beverly Breakstone, Summit County Assessor
Jeff Chostner, Pueblo County District Attorney , former County Commissioner , former State Representative
Nancy Cronk, Director on the Cunningham Fire Protection District's Board of Directors
Stan Garnnet, Boulder County District Attorney
Bob Hullinghorst, former Boulder County Treasurer
Cary Kennedy , former Colorado state treasurer and candidate[97]
Dave Levy, Thompson School Board member
Denise Montague, Thompson School Board member
Willie Nelson , singer and activist[98]
Rick Palacio , former Colorado Democratic Party Chairman
Beverly Benavidez Ryken, former Vice Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party
Angelika Schroeder, Chairwoman of the State Board of Education
Jeri Shepherd, DNC member
John Tayer, former RTD Board member
Nancy Tellez, former Poudre School Board member
Phil Weiser , Dean of the University of Colorado Law School and candidate for Attorney General [99]
Walker Stapleton (R)
Presidents of the United States
Vice Presidents of the United States
Federal officials
State officials
State Senators
State Representatives
Local officials
Darius Allen, Alamosa County Commissioner[113]
Mark Arndt, Morgan County Commissioner[113]
Spike Ausmus, Baca County Commissioner[113]
Jeff Baker, Arapahoe County Commissioner[113]
Jim Baldwin, Otero County Commissioner[113]
Ray Beck, Moffat County Commissioner[113]
Jeff Benson, Jackson County Commissioner[113]
Brad Blake, La Plata County Commissioner[113]
Shawn Bolton, Rio Blanco County Commissioner[113]
Rick Butler, Baca County Commissioner[113]
Wendy Buxton-Andrade, Prowers County Commissioner[113]
Phil Chamberland, Gunnison County Commissioner[113]
Rich Cimino, Grand County Commissioner[113]
Don Cook, Moffat County Commissioner[113]
Juie Cozad, Weld County Commissioner[113]
Glenn Davis, Montrose County Commissioner[113]
Pete Dawson, Baca County Commissioner[113]
Marc Dettenrieder, Teller County Commissioner[113]
Cindy Dozier, Hinsdale County Commissioner[113]
Keenan Ertel, Montezuma County Commissioner[113]
Tina Francone, Jefferson County Commissioner[113]
Mike Freeman, Weld County Commissioner[113]
Gene Glover, Rio Grande County Commissioner[113]
Frank Grant, Crowley County Commissioner[113]
Tom Grasmick, Prowers County Commissioner[113]
Cari Hermacinski, Routt County Commissioner[113]
Tom Jankovsky, Garfield County Commissioner[113]
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Weld County Commissioner[113]
Lea Ann Laybourn, Washington County Commissioner[113]
Merit Linke, Grand County Commissioner[113]
John Martin, Garfield County Commissioner[113]
Dwayne McFall, Fremont County Commissioner[113]
Cindy McLoud, Kiowa County Commissioner[113]
Frank Moe, Moffat County Commissioner[113]
Steve Moreno, Weld County Commissioner[113]
Roger Partridge, Douglas County Commissioner[113]
Tim Payne, Fremont County Commissioner[113]
Byron Pelton , Logan County Commissioner[113]
Rod Pelton, Cheyenne County Commissioner[113]
Dave Potts, Chaffee County Commissioner[113]
Rose Pugliese , Mesa County Commissioner[113]
Roger Rash, Montrose County Commissioner[113]
Jeff Rector, Rio Blanco County Commissioner[113]
Mike Samson, Garfield County Commissioner[113]
Nancy Sharpe, Arapahoe County Commissioner[113]
Karla Shriver, Rio Grande County Commissioner[113]
Norm Steen, Teller County Commissioner[113]
Larry Don Suckla, Montezuma County Commissioner[113]
Don Suppes, Delta County Commissioner[113]
Libby Szabo, Jefferson County Commissioner[113]
Lora Thomas, Douglas County Commissioner[113]
Stan VanderWerf, El Paso County Commissioner[113]
Mark Waller, El Paso County Commissioner[113]
Patrick Ward, Cheyenne County Commissioner[113]
Ramona Weber, Mineral County Commissioner[113]
Stan Whinnery, Hinsdale County Commissioner[113]
Si Woodruff, Rio Blanco County Commissioner[113]
Mayors
District attorneys
Brett Barkey (14th Judicial District)[115]
Jim Bullock (16th Judicial District)[115]
Jeff Cheney (9th Judicial District)[115]
Molly Chilson (11th Judicial District)[115]
Brittny Lewton (13th Judicial District)[115]
Dan May (4th Judicial District)[115]
Cliff Riedel (8th Judicial District)[115]
Michael J. Rourke (19th Judicial District)[115]
Dan Rubinstein (21st Judicial District)[115]
Josh Vogel (15th Judicial District)[115]
Pete Weir (1st Judicial District)[115]
Sheriffs
Ronald Bruce, Hinsdale County [115]
Chad Day, Yuma County [115]
Bill Elder, El Paso County [115]
Dave Encinas, Bent County [115]
Shayne Heap, Elbert County [115]
KC Hume, Moffat County [115]
John "Smokey" Kurtz, Crowley County [115]
Matt Lewis, Mesa County [115]
Fred McKee, Delta County [115]
Steve Reams, Weld County [115]
Brett Schroetlin, Grand County [115]
Jeff Shrader, Jefferson County [115]
Justin Smith, Larimer County [115]
Jon Stivers, Washington County [115]
David Walcher, Arapahoe County [115]
Dan Warwick, Sagauche County [115]
Garrett Wiggins, Routt County [115]
Sam Zordel, Prowers County [115]
Others
Doug Robinson, businessman[116]
Nick Rogers, president of the Denver Police Protective Association[115]
Organizations
Newspapers
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Cary Kennedy (D)
Walker Stapleton (R)
Other
Undecided
Strategies 360
May 23 – June 6, 2018
500
± 4.4%
43%
38%
4%
15%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Mike Johnston (D)
Tom Tancredo (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D-RBI/Polis)
December 4–5, 2017
770
± 3.5%
43%
39%
18%
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Donna Lynne (D)
Tom Tancredo (R)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D-RBI/Polis)
December 4–5, 2017
770
± 3.5%
43%
38%
19%
Close
Hypothetical polling
with Cary Kennedy
with Tom Tancredo
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Close
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
By congressional district
Polis won 4 of 7 congressional districts.[130]
More information District, Stapleton ...
Close
Official campaign websites