2026 Colorado Midterm Voter Guide: What Fountain and El Paso County Voters Need to Know

Colorado voters will head to the polls this fall for a midterm election that will determine who represents the state in Congress, who leads Colorado's executive branch and who will serve in the state legislature and local government.

For voters in Fountain and southern El Paso County, the November ballot will include federal, statewide, state legislative and county races, as well as statewide ballot measures and a regional transportation question.

The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Colorado's official candidate list was certified by the Secretary of State on Sept. 4.

This guide is intended to provide a nonpartisan overview of the races, candidates and issues voters are likely to encounter. Candidates are identified by their ballot party designation, and the El Paso Journal does not endorse or oppose any candidate or ballot measure.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: BALLOTS ARE COMING

Colorado voters should begin seeing their 2026 General Election ballots arrive in the mail in early October.

County clerks may begin mailing ballots to active registered voters on Friday, Oct. 2, with the initial mailing to active voters scheduled to be completed by Friday, Oct. 9.

If you are registered to vote and do not receive your ballot, you should check your voter registration and ballot status and contact your county clerk if necessary. Voters can also vote in person at a designated voter service and polling center.

Key election dates

Oct. 2: Ballot mailing begins.

Oct. 9: Deadline for the initial mailing of ballots to active registered voters.

Oct. 12: Required ballot drop boxes must be open.

Oct. 19: Required voter service and polling centers must be open.

Oct. 26: Deadline to register if you want to receive a ballot by mail. Voters can still register after this date, but will need to vote in person.

Nov. 3: Election Day. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m.

Voters are encouraged to return their ballots as early as possible rather than waiting until Election Day.

LOCAL: FOUNTAIN AND EL PASO COUNTY

No regular Fountain City Council election in 2026

Fountain residents will not elect a mayor or City Council members as part of the November 2026 election.

Fountain's regular municipal elections are conducted in odd-numbered years. The city's most recent regular election was held in November 2025, meaning the next regular municipal contests are expected in 2027.

That does not mean Fountain residents will have a short ballot.

Residents will vote on county, state and federal races, along with statewide ballot questions and other issues that may apply to their particular district.

Because Colorado's election districts do not always follow municipal boundaries, the exact races appearing on an individual's ballot can vary depending on the voter's address.

Voters should check their individual sample ballot before Election Day.

EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER — DISTRICT 5

One of the significant local contests for voters in Fountain and southern El Paso County is the race for El Paso County Commissioner District 5.

The candidates are:

• Lauren Nelson — Republican

• Yolanda L. Avila — Democrat

  
  

The Board of County Commissioners oversees county government and plays a role in setting the county budget, land-use decisions, roads and infrastructure, public health and other services provided at the county level.

For voters, issues in the race could include county growth, transportation, housing, public safety, development, taxes and government spending.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine each candidate's positions on:

• County spending and taxes

• Roads and transportation

• Growth and development

• Housing

• Public safety

• County services

• Relationships between county government and municipalities

EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF

The El Paso County sheriff's race is another important contest for voters throughout the county.

The candidates are:

• Joe Roybal — Republican, incumbent

• Mateo Montoya-Collis — Democrat

  
  

The sheriff is the county's chief law-enforcement officer and oversees operations including the county jail, courthouse security, service of legal documents and law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine candidates' positions on:

• Public safety

• Jail operations

• Staffing and recruitment

• Crime prevention

• Cooperation with other law-enforcement agencies

• Emergency response

• Law-enforcement policy

EL PASO COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER

The county's Clerk and Recorder's Office oversees elections and voter services, manages local public records, vehicle licensing, along with other county responsibilities.

The candidates are:

• Steve Schleiker — Republican, incumbent

• Tracie Woods — Democrat

  
  

The race comes as election administration and election security continue to be major issues for voters across the country.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine the candidates' positions on:

• Election administration

• Ballot security

• Voter access

• Election transparency

• Election technology

• County services

STATEWIDE RACES

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Colorado will elect a new governor in 2026 because Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited.

The gubernatorial tickets on the ballot are:

• Victor Marx / George Washington Markert — Republican

• Phil Weiser / Lesley Dahlkemper — Democrat

• Stephen T. Hamilton / James K. Treibert — American Constitution Party

• Eric Mulder / Wayne Harlos — Libertarian

• Jeff Peckman / T.J. Cole — Unity Party

• Erik Underwood / Frank Atwood — Approval Voting Party

• Greg Lopez / Taralyn Romero — Unaffiliated

  
  

The governor serves as Colorado's chief executive and plays a central role in the state budget, executive agencies and implementation of laws passed by the General Assembly.

The 2026 race comes amid debates over housing affordability, transportation, education, energy, public safety, taxes and the state's relationship with the federal government.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine each ticket's positions on:

• Taxes and state spending

• Education

• Housing

• Energy

• Transportation

• Public safety

• Health care

• Immigration

• State-federal relations

SECRETARY OF STATE

The Colorado secretary of state oversees elections and voter registration while also administering the state's business-registration system.

The candidates are:

• Amanda Gonzalez — Democrat

• James Wiley — Republican

• Sean Vadney — Libertarian

• Amanda Campbell — American Constitution Party

• Celeste Landry — Forward Party

  
  

Current Secretary of State Jena Griswold is term-limited from seeking another term.

What to compare

Key issues include:

• Mail voting

• Election security

• Voter identification

• Voter registration

• Election administration

• Election transparency

• Business services

STATE TREASURER

The candidates are:

• Jeff Bridges — Democrat

• Kevin Grantham — Republican

• Jodie Barr — Libertarian

• Marilee Langner Sturgis — Approval Voting Party

The state treasurer manages Colorado's financial assets and oversees the state's investments and other financial operations.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine candidates' positions on:

• Investment policies

• Financial oversight

• Government spending

• Transparency

• Management of public funds

ATTORNEY GENERAL

The candidates are:

• Jena Griswold — Democrat

• Michael J. Allen — Republican

  
  

The attorney general serves as Colorado's chief legal officer and represents the state in legal matters. The office also has responsibilities involving consumer protection, criminal justice and enforcement of state laws.

Griswold currently serves as Colorado's secretary of state. Allen serves as district attorney for Colorado's 4th Judicial District, which includes El Paso County.

What to compare

Key issues could include:

• Public safety

• Criminal justice

• Consumer protection

• Government accountability

• State-federal legal disputes

• Enforcement of state laws

COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Colorado's General Assembly consists of the state House of Representatives and Senate. Every House seat is up for election in 2026, while a portion of Senate seats are also on the ballot. For Fountain-area voters, two legislative contests are particularly relevant.

COLORADO SENATE DISTRICT 11

The candidates are:

• Tony Exum Sr. — Democrat

• Levon Stilson — Republican

• Janet Turner — Libertarian

The Senate considers legislation covering subjects ranging from education and taxes to public safety, transportation, health care and energy.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine candidates' positions on:

• State spending

• Taxes

• Education

• Public safety

• Housing

• Energy

• Transportation

• Health care

COLORADO HOUSE DISTRICT 21

The candidates are:

• Brenda Miller — Republican

• Michelle Tweed — Democrat

House District 21 includes portions of the Fountain, Fort Carson, Security-Widefield, and southern Colorado Springs area.

The Colorado House has 65 members, with representatives serving two-year terms.

What to compare

Issues voters may want to examine include:

• Education

• Property taxes

• Public safety

• Housing

• Transportation

• Energy

• Health care

• Business regulations

• State spending

FEDERAL RACES

U.S. SENATE

Colorado voters will elect one of the state's two U.S. senators in November.

The candidates certified for the race are:

• John Hickenlooper — Democrat

• Mark Baisley — Republican

• Bob Chew — Forward Party

• Christopher Baum — Approval Voting Party

• Blake Huber — Libertarian

• Adam Withrow — Unity Party

• Donald Willoughby — Unaffiliated write-in

Hickenlooper, a Democrat, is seeking another term. Baisley, a Republican state senator, is his major-party opponent.

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on federal legislation, presidential nominations, treaties and other national issues.

What to compare

Voters may want to examine candidates' positions on:

• Federal spending

• Taxes

• Defense

• Immigration

• Health care

• Social Security and Medicare

• Energy

• Gun policy

• Abortion policy

• Federal regulation

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5

Fountain is part of Colorado's 5th Congressional District.

The candidates are:

• Jeff Crank — Republican

• Jessica Killin — Democrat

• Christopher Mitchell — American Constitution Party

• Mark "Marky Jr" Elworth — Libertarian

• Steven Fuller — Unaffiliated write-in

Crank, a Republican, is the incumbent.

The district includes Fountain, Fort Carson and much of Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Members of the U.S. House serve two-year terms and vote on federal legislation, spending bills and other matters affecting the federal government.

What to compare

Issues important to the Pikes Peak region may include:

• Military and defense policy

• Veterans' services

• Federal spending

• Taxes

• Immigration

• Public safety

• Health care

• Energy

• Federal land policy

• Economic development

2026 COLORADO BALLOT MEASURES

In addition to candidates, Colorado voters will encounter a number of statewide ballot measures.

The Secretary of State has certified 14 statewide ballot measures, along with a separate Front Range Passenger Rail District question that will appear in participating counties, including El Paso County.

Colorado's constitutional amendments and statutory propositions have different requirements for passage.

Voters can find the official list of 2026 statewide ballot measures, including measure information and ballot language, through the Colorado Secretary of State’s ballot initiative resources.

YOUR BALLOT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT

Not every Colorado voter will receive an identical ballot.

Depending on a voter's address, the ballot can contain different legislative districts, county races, judicial retention questions, special district contests or local ballot questions.

For that reason, voters should not assume this guide contains every item that will appear on their individual ballot.

Before voting, residents should verify their specific ballot and district information through the Colorado Secretary of State or El Paso County Clerk and Recorder.

HOW TO PREPARE TO VOTE

Before your ballot arrives

• Confirm that your voter registration information is current and that your mailing address is correct.

When your ballot arrives

• Read the instructions carefully and review every race and ballot question before making selections.

Returning your ballot

• Voters can return ballots through designated ballot drop boxes, voter service and polling centers or by mail.

If mailing your ballot close to Election Day, allow sufficient time for it to be received by the deadline.

Election Day

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Ballots must be received by 7 p.m.

A FINAL NOTE FOR VOTERS

A midterm election can contain decisions affecting everything from county roads and public safety to Colorado's tax system, education policy and the country's federal government.

Voters are encouraged to read the official ballot language, review candidate information from multiple sources and consult Colorado's official Blue Book for information about statewide ballot measures.

The Blue Book provides voters with information about proposed measures, including ballot titles, arguments for and against and fiscal information.

For Fountain-area voters, the most important step before casting a ballot is to verify the ballot assigned to your specific address.

Colorado's 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Ballots begin mailing Oct. 2.

This voter guide is intended for informational purposes and does not endorse or oppose any candidate, political party or ballot measure.