When and How to Vote
The 2026 general election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. As a primarily mail-in voting state, Colorado makes participating straightforward. County clerks began mailing ballots to all active, registered voters in early October. If you are registered, you should have already received yours. You can return your completed ballot by mail or, more advisedly at this point, at one of the 452 secure drop boxes located across the state. The deadline to register and still receive a ballot by mail is October 26. However, Colorado also offers same-day registration, meaning you can register and vote in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center all the way through Election Day. All ballots, whether mailed or dropped off, must be received by your county
clerk by 7 p.m. on November 3 to be counted—a postmark is not sufficient.
The Race for the Governor's Office
With two-term incumbent Governor Jared Polis term-limited, the race to lead Colorado is wide open. The two major-party candidates are Democrat Phil Weiser and Republican Victor Marx. Weiser, the state's current Attorney General, won a competitive Democratic primary and is campaigning on his experience in state government. Marx is a ministry leader and first-time candidate who emerged from the Republican primary, aiming to bring a new direction to the governor's mansion. This contest will determine the state's leadership on major issues like the budget, environmental policy, and public safety for the next four years.
A Key U.S. Senate Contest
Colorado's U.S. Senate race carries national significance, as it could influence the balance of power in Washington, D.C. Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper is running for his second term. A former governor and Denver mayor, Hickenlooper is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Baisley, a current state senator. The race has focused on national issues like the economy and immigration, as well as Hickenlooper's voting record during his first term. All eight of Colorado's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are also up for election this year.
Other Major Statewide Races
Beyond the top-ticket contests, voters will decide several other key executive roles. The offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer are all on the ballot. For Attorney General, Democrat Jena Griswold faces Republican Michael Allen. The Secretary of State race features Democrat Amanda Gonzalez and Republican James Wiley, among other candidates. For Treasurer, voters will choose between Democrat Jeff Bridges and Republican Kevin J. Grantham. These officials oversee the state's legal affairs, elections, and finances, respectively.
The Ballot Questions: Direct Democracy
Coloradans will vote on 14 statewide ballot measures this year, giving them direct say on complex issues. One of the most talked-about is Initiative 195, which would replace the state's flat 4.4% income tax with a graduated system to increase funding for education and healthcare. Another significant measure, Initiative 85, seeks to increase criminal penalties for crimes involving fentanyl. Proposition NN asks voters to allow the state to increase K-12 education investment for the next decade to boost teacher pay and improve schools. Other measures address law enforcement reporting requirements, voter ID for mail ballots, and how the state spends revenue on outdoor recreation. A 'yes' vote on a ballot issue is a vote to change current law, while a 'no' vote is a vote to keep things as they are.
