The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic governor Jared Polis is ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term. Primary elections took place on June 30, 2026. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is projected to have defeated Republican nominee and Marine Corps veteran Victor Marx.
In the Democratic primary, Colorado Attorney General Weiser defeated U.S. senator Michael Bennet. Weiser will be the second consecutive Jewish governor after Polis. The Republican Party has not won a gubernatorial election in Colorado since 2002 nor a statewide office since 2016. Republican nominee Marx's candidacy was mired in controversy; Marx has made a number of dubious claims and has notably stated he is unsure how many people he has killed. Leading to the Republican primary, both of Marx's opponents indicated they would refuse to endorse him if he won the nomination.
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. Michael Bennet was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Phil Weiser was the only candidate to achieve 30% or more. Bennet's petition was deemed sufficient on March 24, 2026.
Nominee
- Phil Weiser, attorney general of Colorado (2019–present)
- Running mate: Lesley Dahlkemper, Jefferson County commissioner
Eliminated in primary
- Michael Bennet, U.S. senator (2009–present)
Declined
- Jason Crow, U.S. representative for Colorado's 6th congressional district (2019–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Bennet)
- Jena Griswold, secretary of state of Colorado (2019–present) (running for attorney general)
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present) and candidate for governor in 2018 (endorsed Bennet)
- Joe Neguse, U.S. representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district (2019–present) and nominee for secretary of state in 2014 (running for re-election; endorsed Bennet)
Endorsements
Michael Bennet
- John Hickenlooper, Colorado (2021–present)
- Jason Crow, CO-06 (2019–present)
- Joe Neguse, CO-02 (2019–present)
- Brittany Pettersen, CO-07 (2023–present)
- Brianna Buentello, former HD-47 (2019–2021)
- James Coleman, president of the Colorado Senate (2025–present) from SD-33 (2021–present)
- Daneya Esgar, former majority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives (2021–2023) from HD-46 (2015–2023)
- Steve Fenberg, former president of the Colorado Senate (2022–2025) from SD-18 (2017–2025)
- Leroy Garcia, former president of the Colorado Senate (2019–2022) from SD-03 (2015–2022)
- Nick Hinrichsen, SD-03 (2022–present)
- Tisha Mauro, HD-46 (2023–present)
- Julie McCluskie, speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2023–present) from HD-13 (2019–present)
- Sal Pace, former HD-46 (2009–2012)
- Michael Hancock, former mayor of Denver (2011–2023)
- Mike Johnston, mayor of Denver (2023–present)
- Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver (1991–2003)
- Colorado Professional Fire Fighters
- UA Pipefitters Union Local 208
Phil Weiser
- Federico Peña, former secretary of energy (1997–1998)
- Tim Wirth, former Colorado (1987–1993)
- Ed Perlmutter, former CO-07 (2007–2023)
- David Skaggs, former CO-02 (1987–1999)
- Roy Romer, former governor of Colorado (1987–1999)
- Morgan Carroll, former president of the Colorado Senate (2015–2017) from SD-29 (2013–2019)
- Terrance Carroll, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2009–2011) from HD-07 (2003–2011)
- Javier Mabrey, HD-01 (2023–present)
- Brandon Shaffer, former president of the Colorado Senate (2009–2013) from SD-17 (2005–2013)
- Jennifer Arndt, former mayor of Fort Collins (2021–2026)
- Dottie Lamm, former first lady of Colorado (1975–1987)
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. Barbara Kirkmeyer was the only candidate to petition onto the primary ballot. Her petition was deemed sufficient on April 15, 2026. All other candidates went through the State Assembly process. Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx were the only candidates to achieve 30% or more.
Nominee
- Victor Marx, ministry leader
- Running mate: George Markert, AI strategic advisor
Eliminated in primary
- Scott Bottoms, state representative from the 15th district (2023–present)
- Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator from the 23rd district (2021–present), candidate for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2014, and nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022
Eliminated at convention
- Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010
- Joshua Griffin, research and development firm founder and candidate for Colorado's 5th congressional district in 2024
- Will McBride, attorney
- Jason Mikesell, Teller County sheriff
Withdrawn
- Mark Baisley, state senator from the 4th district (2023–present) (running for U.S. senate)
- Greg Lopez, former U.S. representative from Colorado's 4th congressional district (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022 (running as an Independent)
- Joe Oltmann, podcaster
Unity primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Jeff Peckman, UFO disclosure activist
Eliminated in primary
- Paul Noel Fiorino, ballet instructor and perennial candidate
Third-party candidates
Candidates
Declared
- Stephen Hamilton (American Constitution)
- Eric Mulder (Libertarian)
- Erik Underwood (Approval Voting)
Withdrawn
- Frederick Osborne, actor (No Labels)
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Greg Lopez, former U.S. representative from Colorado's 4th congressional district (2024–2025) and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022 (previously ran as a Republican)
- Running mate: Taralyn Romero, property-rights advocate
Filed paperwork
- Jon Collamer
- Bradley Allen Wall
Withdrawn
Declined
- Kent Thiry, former CEO of DaVita