Colorado Democrats sweep statewide offices as Republicans retain key El Paso County positions
Colorado voters headed to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to decide a number of closely watched statewide and local races, with results bringing both continued Democratic control at the state level and several Republican victories across El Paso County.
While Democrats secured victories in every major statewide executive race, Republicans maintained control of several important El Paso County offices, including sheriff, clerk and recorder, assessor and one county commissioner seat.
Democrats maintain statewide control
In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Phil Weiser defeated Republican Victor Marx, securing the governor's office as current Gov. Jared Polis prepares to leave office due to term limits. Weiser will serve alongside Democratic running mate Lesley Dahlkemper as lieutenant governor.
Democrats also swept the other major statewide executive contests. Jena Griswold won the attorney general race, Amanda Gonzalez secured the secretary of state position, and Jeff Bridges won the state treasurer race.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper won reelection, defeating Republican Mark Baisley.
The results extend Democratic control over Colorado's statewide executive offices for another four years, despite continued Republican strength in several local communities.
Republicans retain key El Paso County offices
At the local level, Republicans saw a strong showing in several countywide contests, retaining multiple positions responsible for public safety, election administration and property assessments.
Republican Ryan Graham won the El Paso County Commissioner District 1 race with 57.66% of the vote, defeating Democrat Gavin Rainey, who received 40.24%. The District 5 seat went to Democrat Yolanda Avila, who defeated Republican Lauren Nelson with 58.48% of the vote.
Republican incumbents also retained several key county offices. Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker won reelection with 55.51% of the vote, while Assessor Becky Fuller secured another term with 52.28%.
Sheriff Joe Roybal also won reelection, receiving 54.1% against Democrat Mateo Montoya-Collis, who received 45.9%.
Municipal races also brought changes to leadership in the Pikes Peak region. In Monument, Kenneth Kimple won the mayoral race with 59.72% of the vote, defeating Laura Kronick. Scott Gilson secured an at-large Town Council seat with 51.44%. In Palmer Lake, Kent Hutson won the mayoral contest with 58.42%.
Statewide ballot measures address public safety, schools and taxes
Beyond candidate races, Colorado voters considered 14 statewide ballot measures covering issues ranging from public safety and education to taxation and constitutional protections.
Proposition 133, which increases penalties for individuals convicted of trafficking minors for sexual servitude, was the first statewide measure called for passage. The measure makes the offense a Class 1 felony, carrying a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Propositions 132, 134 and 135 were also leading in preliminary returns Wednesday morning. Proposition 132 increases penalties for fentanyl possession and distribution. Proposition 134 would establish school and collegiate athletic participation rules based on biological sex, while Proposition 135 would prohibit certain sex-altering surgeries on minors.
These measures reflect several issues that have remained prominent in statewide discussions surrounding public safety, parental concerns and school athletics.
However, not all measures aligned with conservative priorities found support. Amendment 81, which would have required certain communications between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, was trailing. Amendment 82, which sought to establish a constitutional right to purchase and sell natural gas, and Amendment 83, which would have established constitutional protections for hunting and fishing, were also behind in preliminary returns.
Proposition NN, meanwhile, was leading with approximately 55% support. The measure allows the state to retain revenue that otherwise would have been refunded to taxpayers under Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), directing additional funding toward K-12 education.
Amendment 87, which would replace Colorado's flat income tax rate with graduated rates, was also narrowly leading. The proposal represents a significant potential change to the state's tax structure.
Democrats poised to secure historic supermajority in Colorado Legislature
The election results are also setting up a significant shift in the balance of power at the Colorado State Capitol. Preliminary returns indicate Democrats are on track to hold a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly, while Republicans could be reduced to a historically small minority. In the Colorado House, Democrats are projected to hold 49 of 65 seats, leaving Republicans with 16. In the Senate, Democrats are projected to hold 24 of 35 seats, compared to 11 Republicans. A two-thirds majority requires 44 seats in the House and 24 in the Senate. The expanded Democratic majority would give the party greater legislative authority, including the ability to override gubernatorial vetoes and refer constitutional amendments to voters without minority-party support. For Republicans, the results represent a substantial loss of legislative influence and could make it more difficult to block or negotiate changes to state policy.
A divided political landscape
Although Democrats maintained their statewide advantage, El Paso County's results demonstrate continued Republican support in several important local offices.
The election leaves Colorado with a divided political landscape, as Democrats prepare to maintain control of state government while Republicans retain several influential positions in one of the state's largest counties.
All results cited are preliminary or unofficial returns available Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, and remain subject to final canvassing and certification.
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