Colorado governor 2026

Compare candidates running in this Colorado federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Phil Weiser

Party: Democrat

Michael Bennet

Party: Democrat

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governor

Colorado governor

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
lean d— Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 2002; Democratic primary winner is heavily favored

Colorado is a solidly blue state where the gubernatorial race is primarily determined by the Democratic primary. Republicans have not won a statewide governor's race in 24 years.

Phil WeiserD
Michael BennetD

Summary

Phil Weiser is Colorado's Attorney General, serving since 2019 after being elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He was the first Democrat elected AG in 14 years, breaking a Republican streak. Before becoming AG, Weiser served as dean of the University of Colorado Law School. He has established himself as a prominent Trump adversary, filing multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration and securing major settlements from opioid manufacturers and social media companies.

Michael Farrand Bennet, born November 28, 1964, is a U.S. Senator from Colorado serving since 2009. He was first appointed to the seat by Governor Bill Ritter when Senator Ken Salazar became Secretary of the Interior, then was elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Before his Senate career, Bennet served as superintendent of Denver Public Schools (2005-2009), where he helped turn around the failing school system, and as chief of staff to then-Mayor John Hickenlooper (2003-2005). He is known for his bipartisan approach to legislating and his focus on education and economic opportunity.

View Phil Weiser's Full Profile →View Michael Bennet's Full Profile →

Campaign Promises

Economy
  • Drive down the cost of living
Healthcare
  • Implement Primary Care for All healthcare plan
  • Improve youth mental health
Public Safety
  • Make Colorado safer and address public safety
Environment
  • Advance climate resilience and protect Colorado's natural resources
Housing
  • Increase state-supported housing by 30% by 2035
Economy
  • Make permanent expansion of the child tax credit
Other
  • Shield Colorado from Trump administration policies
Healthcare
  • Support reproductive rights and protect abortion access

Key Issue Positions

Trump administration opposition
Most prominent Democratic Trump opponent; file suits against unlawful federal actions
Filed over a dozen lawsuits challenging Trump policies; positioning himself as the 'fighter Colorado needs'
Housing affordability
Top priority requiring state action
Committed to expanding affordable housing access across Colorado
Healthcare costs
Fought insurance companies on premium practices and drug pricing
Youth mental health
Addressed mental health crisis through AG office initiatives
Housing affordability
Top priority requiring 30% increase in state-supported housing by 2035
Bennet says Colorado families will be priced out if current trajectory continues.
Affordable healthcare
Expand access and reduce costs
Backed Biden's inflation reduction and ACA expansion efforts
Climate change
Renewable energy and public lands protection
Fought to protect Colorado public lands and support clean energy
Immigration
Bipartisan reform with border security
Willing to negotiate with Republicans on immigration reform

Top Donors

Campaign funds raised
$1.9 millionCampaign
Raised by January 2025, before Bennet entered race
Super PACs
$3.5 millionSuper PAC
Spending by January 2025
Michael Bloomberg
$750,000Individual
Personal spending to support Bennet

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

What Opponents Say

Michael Bennet

Weiser is 'allergic' to building big statewide coalitions and lacks experience in broad coalition-building

Bennet has criticized Polis's approach on housing and tax reform, implying Weiser has same problem

Michael Bennet

Weiser's health care policies haven't worked

Bennet disagreed with Weiser's defense of Polis's health care record

Phil Weiser

Bennet has been in Washington while Weiser has served Colorado directly as Attorney General

Weiser argued Bennet should remain in Senate while his term ends in 2028

Phil Weiser

Bennet voted for some Trump cabinet picks, showing inconsistency on opposing Trump

Bennet's more moderate approach to Trump vs. Weiser's aggressive legal challenges

Endorsements

Former Governor Roy Romerindividual
Former First Lady Dottie Lammindividual
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooperindividual
U.S. Representative Joe Neguseindividual
U.S. Representative Jason Crowindividual
Denver Mayor Mike Johnstonindividual
Colorado Senate President James Colemanindividual
Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskieindividual