The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Colorado. The primary elections will take place on June 30, 2026. Incumbent Democratic governor Jared Polis is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office.
Republicans have not won a gubernatorial election in Colorado since Bill Owens was re-elected in 2002.
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.
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Polling
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Scott Bottoms, state representative from the 15th district (2023âÂÂpresent)
- Jason Clark, money manager, candidate for governor in 2014 and independent candidate in 2010
- Joshua Griffin, research and development firm founder and candidate for in 2024
- Barbara Kirkmeyer, state senator from the 23rd district (2021âÂÂpresent), candidate for Colorado's 4th congressional district in 2014, and nominee for Colorado's 8th congressional district in 2022
- Victor Marx, ministry leader
- Will McBride, attorney
- Jason Mikesell, Teller County Sheriff
- Joe Oltmann, podcaster
Filed paperwork
- Stevan Gess
- Jon Gray-Ginsberg, candidate for governor in 2022
- Robin Jones
Withdrawn
Endorsements
Third party candidates
Candidates
Filed paperwork
Independents
Candidates
Declared
Filed paperwork
- Jon Collamer
- Bradley Allen Wall
Withdrawn
Declined
- Kent Thiry, former CEO of DaVita
General election
Predictions
See also
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links
Official campaign websites