The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic governor Jared Polis is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Primary elections took place on June 30, 2026.
In the Democratic primary, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser defeated U.S. senator Michael Bennet. If elected, Weiser would be the second consecutive Jewish governor after Polis. The Republican Party has not won a gubernatorial election in Colorado since 2002 nor a statewide office since 2016. Republican nominee Victor Marx's candidacy has been mired in controversy; Marx has made a number of dubious claims and has notably stated he is unsure how many people he has killed. Leading to the Republican primary, both of Marx's opponents indicated they would refuse to endorse him if he won the nomination.
Democratic primary Candidates To move forward to the primary, candidates had to petition onto the ballot or achieve 30% or more at the Colorado Democratic Party State Assembly. Michael Bennet was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Phil Weiser was the only candidate to achieve 30% or more. Bennet's petition was deemed sufficient on March 24, 2026.
Nominee Phil Weiser, attorney general of Colorado (2019–present) Running mate: Lesley Dahlkemper, Jefferson County commissioner
Eliminated in primary Michael Bennet, U.S. senator (2009–present)
Declined Jason Crow, U.S. representative for (2019–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Bennet) Jena Griswold, secretary of state of Colorado (2019–present) (running for attorney general) Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018 (endorsed Bennet) Joe Neguse, U.S. representative for (2019–present) and nominee for secretary of state in 2014 (running for re-election; endorsed Bennet)
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MichaelBennet PhilWeiser UndecidedPublic Policy Polling (D)June 24–25, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%36%45%19%Public Policy Polling (D)June 1–2, 2026505 (LV)± 4.4%36%30%34%Tavern ResearchMay 31 – June 1, 2026(LV)– 35%28% 36%Colorado Community ResearchMay 22–28, 2026796 (LV)± 4.0%34% 41%25%Keating ResearchJanuary 26 – February 1, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%53%26%21%Global Strategy Group (D)June 9–11, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%53%22%25%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JenaGriswold JoeNeguse KenSalazar PhilWeiser Other UndecidedHealthier Colorado (D)/Magellan Strategies (R)December 4–9, 2024630 (LV)± 3.9%16%20%11%8%8%37%
Debates + 2026 gubernatorial election Democratic primary debates Date Host Moderator Link Democratic DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Michael Bennet Phil Weiser1 May 7, 2026 Colorado Public RadioKMGH-TVThe Denver Post Colette BordelonNick ColtrainRyan Warner YouTube 2 Jun. 4, 2026 Colorado PoliticsKUSAUniversity of Denver Kyle ClarkMarshall Zelinger YouTube
Results
Republican primary Candidates To move forward to the primary, candidates had to petition onto the ballot or achieve 30% or more at the Colorado Republican Party State Assembly. Barbara Kirkmeyer was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. Her petition was deemed sufficient on April 15, 2026. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx were the only candidates to achieve 30% or more.
Nominee Victor Marx, ministry leader Running mate: George Markert, AI strategic advisor
Eliminated in primary Scott Bottoms, state representative from the 15th district (2023–present) Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator from the 23rd district (2021–present), candidate for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2014, and nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022
Eliminated at convention Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010 Joshua Griffin, research and development firm founder and candidate for in 2024 Will McBride, attorney Jason Mikesell, Teller County sheriff
Withdrawn Mark Baisley, state senator from the 4th district (2023–present) (running for U.S. senate) Greg Lopez, former U.S. representative from (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022 (running as an Independent) Joe Oltmann, podcaster
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error ScottBottoms VictorMarx BarbaraKirkmeyer UndecidedCygnal (R)May 7–8, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%7%42%13%38%
Debates + 2026 gubernatorial election Republican primary debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Scott Bottoms Barbara Kirkmeyer Victor Marx1 May 14, 2026 Colorado Public RadioKMGH-TVThe Denver Post John AguilarColette BordelonBazi Kanani YouTube 2 Jun. 2, 2026 Colorado PoliticsKUSAUniversity of Denver Kyle ClarkMarshall Zelinger YouTube
Results
Unity primary Candidates Nominee Jeff Peckman, UFO disclosure activist
Eliminated in primary Paul Noel Fiorino, ballet instructor and perennial candidate
Results
Third-party candidates Candidates Declared Stephen Hamilton (American Constitution) Eric Mulder (Libertarian) Erik Underwood (Approval Voting)
Withdrawn Frederick Osborne, actor (No Labels)
Independents Candidates Declared Greg Lopez, former U.S. representative from (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022 (previously ran as a Republican) Running mate: Taralyn Romero, property-rights advocatehttps://www.cpr.org/2026/09/25/vg-2026-greg-lopez-voter-guide/
Filed paperwork Jon Collamer Bradley Allen Wall Withdrawn Shawn Bennett
Declined Kent Thiry, former CEO of DaVita
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 10, 2026Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsJuly 23, 2026Inside ElectionsSeptember 3, 2025RealClearPoliticsJune 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 3, 2026Silver Bulletin August 25, 2026
Post-primary endorsements
Results
See also 2026 United States Senate election in Colorado
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Greg Lopez (I) Victor Marx (R) Phil Weiser (D)