Colorado's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district lies in the center of the state and comprises Colorado Springs and its suburbs including Cimarron Hills and Fort Carson.
The district is currently represented by Republican Jeff Crank. Historically one of the most Republican districts in Colorado, redistricting and growing Democratic strength in Colorado Springs and suburbs such as Cimarron Hills, Fountain, and Security-Widefield have shifted the district strongly to the left. However it is still a moderately Republican-leaning district with a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+5.
Characteristics
Politics The Republican Party has held control of the seat since the district's creation. Colorado Springs, the main population center within the district, is home to many conservative Protestant organizations. Among these groups are Focus on the Family, its founder Dr. James Dobson (who was at one point considered by some to be the most influential evangelical leader in the country), New Life Church, Compassion International, HCJB, and many others. There is some Democratic strength in this district in urban Colorado Springs and some of its suburbs near Pikes Peak, but it is no match for the Republican-leaning rest of the district.
Colorado Springs also boasts a large population of both active-duty and retired military personnel and is home to many companies in the defense industry, all of which are demographics that tend to vote for Republicans. Throughout the district's history, Republicans have won by comfortable margins. From 1996 through 2004, Republican Joel Hefley usually won reelections with about 70% of the vote. George W. Bush received 66% of the vote in this district in 2004.
However, unlike the nearby 4th that is trending more Republican by the year, the 5th is becoming slightly less Republican due to demographic changes. Notably, after redistricting carved away all of the district's territory outside El Paso County, the Democrats crossed the 40 percent mark for only the second time since the district's creation.
Economy Because of the strong military presence, Colorado Springs's economy is usually very stable and frequently sees growth. The western portions of the district are mostly small mountain towns whose economy depends on ranching, farming, mining, and tourism.
Tourism Millions of tourists visit the Colorado Springs region every year, primarily to visit Garden of the Gods, United States Olympic Training Center, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Pikes Peak, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Military Colorado Springs, located within the district, is home to multiple military installations. Fort Carson, the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and NORAD are also all located within the district. There are more veterans living in the Colorado Fifth than any other district in America.
History
1990s Following the 1990 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of El Paso and Teller counties, as well as portions of Arapahoe, Douglas, and Fremont counties.
2000s Following the 2000 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, Lake and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.
2010s
Following the 2010 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.
2020s
Following the 2020 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of most of El Paso County, except for slivers that were drawn into the 4th and 7th districts.
Composition For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
El Paso County (18)
Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cascade-Chipita Park, Cimarron Hills, Colorado Springs, Ellicott, Fort Carson, Fountain, Gleneagle, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Peyton, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, Palmer Lake, Woodmoor
Recent election results from statewide races Year Office Results2008 PresidentMcCain 58% - 40% SenateSchaffer 56% - 39%2010 SenateBuck 60% - 34% Secretary of StateGessler 64% - 30% TreasurerStapleton 64% - 36% Attorney GeneralSuthers 70% - 30%2012 PresidentRomney 60% - 40%2014 SenateGardner 62% - 33%2016 PresidentTrump 56% - 34% SenateGlenn 58% - 36%2018 GovernorStapleton 56% - 40% Attorney GeneralBrauchler 58% - 38%2020 PresidentTrump 53% - 43% SenateGardner 56% - 41%2022 SenateO'Dea 52% - 44% GovernorGanahl 50% - 47% Secretary of StateAnderson 53% - 44% TreasurerSias 55% - 41% Attorney GeneralKellner 55% - 42%2024 PresidentTrump 53% - 44%
List of members representing the district Member Party Term duration Congress Electoral history District location District created January 3, 1973 William L. Armstrong Republican January 3, 1973 –January 3, 1979 Elected in 1972.Re-elected in 1974.Re-elected in 1976.Retired to run for U.S. senator. Ken Kramer Republican January 3, 1979 –January 3, 1987 Elected in 1978.Re-elected in 1980.Re-elected in 1982.Re-elected in 1984.Retired to run for U.S. senator. Joel Hefley Republican January 3, 1987 –January 3, 2007 Elected in 1986.Re-elected in 1988.Re-elected in 1990.Re-elected in 1992.Re-elected in 1994.Re-elected in 1996.Re-elected in 1998.Re-elected in 2000.Re-elected in 2002.Re-elected in 2004.Retired. 2003–2013 Doug Lamborn Republican January 3, 2007 –January 3, 2025 Elected in 2006.Re-elected in 2008.Re-elected in 2010.Re-elected in 2012.Re-elected in 2014.Re-elected in 2016.Re-elected in 2018.Re-elected in 2020.Re-elected in 2022. Retired. 2013–2023 2023–presentJeff Crank RepublicanJanuary 3, 2025 –presentElected in 2024.
Election results 1972 • 1974 • 1976 • 1978 • 1980 • 1982 • 1984 • 1986 • 1988 • 1990 • 1992 • 1994 • 1996 • 1998 • 2000 • 2002 • 2004 • 2006 • 2008 • 2010 • 2012 • 2014 • 2016 • 2018 • 2020 • 2022 • 2024
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
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1990
1992
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1996
Republican primary
General
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
Republican primary
General
2008
Republican primary
General
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Historical district boundaries
See also
Colorado's congressional districts List of United States congressional districts
References