2026 United States Senate election in Colorado
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Colorado will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Colorado. Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper is seeking a second term. Primary elections were held on June 30, 2026. Hickenlooper will face Republican nominee Mark Paisley and Forward Party nominee Bob Chew.
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November 3, 2026
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During the primaries, Hickenlooper faced a primary challenge from Julie Gonzales, a former member of the Democratic Socialists of America who argued Hickenlooper's voting record was out of line with the state.
Background
While Colorado was once considered a swing state, it has shifted significantly to the left over the past decade and is now regarded as solidly Democratic at both the federal and state levels. Democrats currently hold all statewide offices, both U.S. Senate seats, and strong majorities in both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly, while the state's U.S. House delegation is evenly split. In 2014, Republican Cory Gardner narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Mark Udall for the U.S. Senate. As the state continued trending Democratic, Gardner—then the only Republican holding major statewide office—lost his 2020 re-election bid to Democrat John Hickenlooper by a significant margin.[1] In late 2024, Hickenlooper announced he would seek re-election but indicated that the campaign would be his final run for the Senate.[2]
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. John Hickenlooper was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Julie Gonzales was the only candidate to achieve 30% or more.[3]
Nominee
- John Hickenlooper, incumbent U.S. senator[2][4]
Eliminated in primary
- Julie Gonzales, state senator from the 34th district (2019–present)[5][6]
Eliminated at convention
- Karen Breslin, college professor, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022, and candidate for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2024[7]
- Jessica Williams[8]
Withdrawn
Endorsements
State legislators
- Polly Baca, former SD-25 (1979–1987)[12]
- Joan Fitz-Gerald, former SD-16 (2001–2007)[12]
- Robert Rodriguez, Senate majority leader (2023–present) from SD-32 (2019–present)[12]
Labor unions
- Colorado AFL-CIO[13]
- Colorado State Association of Letter Carriers[14]
- Communication Workers of America[14]
- SEIU Colorado[15]
- UFCW Local 7[16]
Organizations
- Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund[17]
- Indivisible[18]
- Indivisible Colorado[19]
- Our Revolution[20]
- Peace Action[21]
- Progressive Victory[22]
- Sunrise Movement Denver[23]
- Third Act Colorado[24]
- Track AIPAC (co-endorsement with Breslin)[25]
Political parties
- Colorado Working Families Party[26]
Executive branch officials
- Ken Salazar, former ambassador to Mexico (2021–2025)[27]
U.S. senators
- Michael Bennet, Colorado (2009–present)[28]
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[12]
U.S. representatives
- John Salazar, former CO-03 (2005–2011)[27]
Labor unions
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees[14]
- Colorado Professional Fire Fighters[29]
- SMART Local 9[29]
- UA Pipefitters Union Local 208[29]
- Western States Regional Council of Carpenters[29]
Organizations
- 314 Action[30]
- AIPAC[31]
- Brady Campaign[32]
- Center for New Liberalism[33]
- End Citizens United[34]
- Giffords[35]
- J Street[36]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[37]
- Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs[38]
- League of Conservation Voters Action Fund[39]
- Natural Resources Defense Council[40]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[40]
- Population Connection[41]
- Reproductive Freedom for All[42]
Organizations
- Our Revolution Denver[43]
- Track AIPAC (co-endorsement with Gonzales)[25]
- Newspapers
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of June 10, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Julie Gonzales (D) | $869,056 | $642,852 | $226,205 |
| John Hickenlooper (D) | $9,884,305 | $8,561,826 | $2,964,562 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[45] | |||
Polling
Results
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Hickenlooper (incumbent) | 469,564 | 52.9 | |
| Democratic | Julie Gonzales | 418,066 | 47.1 | |
| Total votes | 887,630 | 100.0 | ||
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. None of the candidates petitioned onto the primary ballot. All candidates went through the State Assembly process. Mark Baisley was the only candidate to achieve 30% or more.[48]
Nominee
- Mark Baisley, state senator from the 4th district (2023–present) (previously ran for governor)[49][48]
Eliminated at convention
- Amanda Calderon, business owner[50]
- Janak Joshi, former state representative from the 16th district (2011–2017) and candidate for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2024[51]
- George Markert, AI strategic advisor[52]
- Sean Pond, Montrose County commissioner[53]
Declined
- Brandi Bradley, state representative from the 39th district (2023–present)[52]
Endorsements
- U.S. representatives
- Bob Schaffer, former CO-04 (1997–2003)[54]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Tancredo, former CO-06 (1999–2009)[55]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 10, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Mark Baisley (R) | $77,147 | $65,702 | $11,445 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[45] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Baisley | 441,186 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 441,186 | 100.0 | ||
Independent candidates
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[59] | Solid D | April 23, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[60] | Safe D | May 22, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[61] | Solid D | May 19, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[62] | Safe D | March 4, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[63] | Solid D | April 13, 2026 |
| The Economist[64][c] | Likely D | May 22, 2026 |
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 10, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| John Hickenlooper (D) | $9,884,305 | $8,561,826 | $2,964,562 |
| Mark Baisley (R) | $77,147 | $65,702 | $11,445 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[45] | |||
Notes
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - Breslin with 3%, Zimpfer with 1% and Hasley with 0%
- The Economist's prediction model uses unconventional terminology. For the purpose of equivalency, their "Very Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Likely" rating while "Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Lean" rating.
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by the Working Families Party, which has endorsed Gonzales.