Colorado holds both a U.S. Senate race and an open governorship in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in a state that has moved from swing to Democratic-leaning while retaining competitive terrain. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Colorado?
The U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat John Hickenlooper is up for reelection. The governorship is open, with Democratic incumbent Jared Polis term-limited, drawing a competitive field. Below them: all of Colorado's U.S. House seats, including a perennial swing district or two, state offices, legislative races, and local contests.
What makes Colorado's races matter?
Colorado has trended Democratic over the past decade, powered by the growing, well-educated Front Range corridor from Denver to Boulder and Fort Collins, but it retains a competitive congressional district and a Republican-leaning rural west and east. An open governor's race with no incumbent keeps that contest live, and Colorado's near-universal mail-ballot system shapes how every campaign runs turnout.
Why turnout decides Colorado
Colorado mails every registered voter a ballot, so the campaign becomes a weeks-long chase to return ballots rather than a single Election Day push, an environment where reminders and tracking by text are unusually powerful. A midterm lowers participation, and the competitive House district can turn on a modest number of returned ballots.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Colorado in 2026?
A U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper up for reelection, and an open governorship, Democratic incumbent Jared Polis is term-limited, plus all U.S. House seats and state offices.
Why do Colorado's races matter?
Colorado has trended Democratic via the growing Front Range but keeps a competitive House district and a Republican-leaning rural expanse, and an open governor's race has no incumbent anchoring it.
Why does turnout matter in Colorado?
Because Colorado mails every voter a ballot, so the race is a weeks-long ballot-return chase, ideal for text reminders and tracking, and a midterm lowers the turnout that decides its competitive seats.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: GOTV texting in vote-by-mail states and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.