The 2012 United States presidential election in Colorado took place on November 6, 2012, as part of the 2012 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Colorado voters chose nine electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, against Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his running mate, U.S. Representative Paul Ryan. Obama and Biden carried Colorado with 51.49% of the popular vote to Romney's and Ryan's 46.13%, thus winning the state's nine electoral votes by a 5.36% margin.
Obama's 2012 victory in the state, on the heels of his 2008 victory, marked the first time that the Democrats had carried Colorado in two consecutive elections since the landslide re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and the first time since 1964 that a sitting Democratic president carried Colorado. This was the first time since 1964 that Democrats carried a majority of the state's congressional districts. As of the 2024 presidential election, this is the last election in which Conejos, Huerfano, and Las Animas counties have voted for the Democratic candidate.
Caucuses
Democratic caucuses
Incumbent President Barack Obama ran unopposed in the Colorado Democratic caucuses.
Republican caucuses
The 2012 Colorado Republican presidential caucuses took place on 7 February 2012. It was part of the 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries. The race was widely expected to be won by Mitt Romney even on the day of the caucus, but a strong surge by Rick Santorum across all three races that day carried him to a close victory; however, the delegates were not legally bound to follow voter preferences and most voted for Romney.
General election
Ballot access
- Virgil Goode/Jim Clymer, Constitution
- Barack Obama/Joseph Biden, Democratic
- Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan, Republican
- Gary Johnson/James P. Gray, Libertarian
- Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala, Green
- Stewart Alexander/Alex Mendoza, Socialist
- Rocky Anderson/Luis J. Rodriguez, Justice
- Roseanne Barr/Cindy Shehan, Peace and Freedom
- James Harris/Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Workers
- Tom Hoefling/J.D. Ellis, America's
- Gloria La Riva/Filberto Ramirez Jr., Socialism and Liberation
- Merlin Miller/Harry V. Bertram, American Third Position
- Jill Reed/Tom Cary, Twelve Visions Party
- Thomas Robert Stevens/Alden Link, Objectivist
- Shella "Samm" Tittle/Matthew A. Turner, We the People
- Jerry White/Phyllis Scherrer, Socialist Equality
Polling
Incumbent Barack Obama started off with a wide lead in polls ranging from 1 to 13 points, which continued throughout the early summer of 2012. On August 6, Romney won his first poll, 50% to 45%. Throughout the rest of the summer, and September, with the exception of a few points, Obama won almost every poll but narrowly. Romney gained momentum in October, and the race was essentially tied, with neither candidate taking a significant lead. The last week before the election, Obama gained momentum and won each of the 4 pre-election polls. The average of the last 3 pre-election polls showed Obama leading Romney 49.7% to 46.3%. The final pre-election poll showed Obama leading Romney 52% to 46%, which was accurate compared to the results. Washington Post rated this race "Toss-Up."
Results
By county
- Chaffee (largest city: Salida)
By congressional district
Obama won four of seven congressional districts including one held by a Republican.