John Hickenlooper is the incumbent U.S. Senator from Colorado, first elected in 2020. The 73-year-old Denver native previously served as mayor of Denver from 2003 to 2011 and governor of Colorado from 2011 to 2019. Hickenlooper briefly sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination before switching to his successful 2020 Senate campaign. In late 2024, he announced he would seek re-election but indicated this campaign would be his final run for the Senate.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in various states due to his parents' work. Hickenlooper earned a geology degree from Wesleyan University. He worked as a geologist before starting a brewpub that became successful. His business success led to involvement in Denver civic affairs and his election as mayor. He became known as a moderate, business-friendly Democrat before serving two terms as governor, where he balanced progressive and business interests.