Senate race · 2026

Colorado Senate Race

This election is for a U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic incumbent John Hickenlooper, who is seeking re-election. The Democratic primary between Hickenlooper and State Senator Julie Gonzales is seen as an ideological matchup between a centrist and a progressive.

All 2026 races

2 candidates · what each one campaigns on

John Hickenlooper

Democratic · Incumbent

Their record

Currently: U.S. Senator

John Hickenlooper previously served as Denver's mayor from 2003 to 2011 and as governor of Colorado from 2011 to 2019, before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020.

Campaign platform

Affordability
He is running for reelection to fix the 'affordability emergency' and address the high cost of living.
EconomySource
Healthcare Access
As governor, he expanded healthcare to half a million Coloradans.
HealthSource
Climate Change
He supported the largest investment to fight climate change and, as governor, created the world's first methane regulations.
EnvironmentSource
Bipartisan Collaboration
He is running on a platform of bipartisan collaboration and finding common ground.
DemocracySource
Gun Control
He supported strong gun control laws in Colorado, taking on the NRA.
JusticeSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Mark Baisley

Republican

Currently: State Senator

Mark Baisley is a state senator in Colorado's 4th District and is running unopposed in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Campaign platform

Patient-directed health care
Supports expanded HSAs, price transparency and protecting rural hospitals.
Health CareSource
Cut taxes and regulation
Advocates lower federal taxes and fewer regulations to spur private-sector growth.
EconomySource
Locally controlled infrastructure
Supports disciplined infrastructure spending, faster permitting and Western Slope water protection.
EconomySource
Legal immigration with vetting
Supports continued legal immigration contingent on vetting and assimilation while opposing illegal entry.
ImmigrationSource
Defend the Second Amendment
Has publicly defended gun rights against federal legal challenges.
Justice & Public SafetySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.