If you’ve ever stood at the Garden of the Gods and looked out toward the horizon, you aren't just seeing a postcard view of Pikes Peak. You're looking at the heart of the Colorado Fifth Congressional District, a place that honestly feels like its own little republic within the state. It's a land of high-altitude deserts, deep-red politics, and enough brass and stripes to run a small country.
Basically, this is the military capital of the United States.
But things are shifting. People think they know the "Five," but the 2024 elections and the current 2026 political landscape tell a much more nuanced story. It's not just a Republican stronghold anymore; it's a district in the middle of an identity crisis.
The New Guard: Representative Jeff Crank
For nearly two decades, Doug Lamborn was the face of this district. He was a fixture. Then, on a random Friday in January 2024, he announced he was done. He wasn't seeking reelection. It sent shockwaves through Colorado Springs.
Enter Jeff Crank.
If that name sounds familiar, you've probably been following local politics for a long time. Crank is a native Coloradan who actually worked for Representative Joel Hefley back in the 90s. He’s a former talk radio host and an executive at Americans for Prosperity. He tried to get this seat in 2006 and 2008 but lost to Lamborn. Talk about playing the long game.
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In the 2024 general election, Crank beat Democrat River Gassen with about 54.7% of the vote. It was a solid win, but if you look at the historical numbers, the margins are tightening. Back in the early 2000s, Republicans were winning here with 70% of the vote. Now? Not so much. Crank officially took office on January 3, 2025, and as we head through 2026, he's already deep into the fight over federal spending and defense budgets.
It's All About the Bases (Literally)
Why does the Colorado Fifth Congressional District matter so much to the Pentagon? Because it is home to more veterans than almost any other district in America. Honestly, you can't throw a rock in Colorado Springs without hitting someone who served.
The district houses five major military installations:
- Fort Carson: The "Mountain Post" and a massive economic engine.
- United States Air Force Academy: Where the future of the Air Force and Space Force is groomed.
- Peterson Space Force Base: The hub for global space operations.
- Schriever Space Force Base: Where the GPS satellites are actually controlled.
- NORAD/Northcom: The literal bunker in the mountain (Cheyenne Mountain) that watches the skies for nukes.
When Jeff Crank talks about "securing funding for CO-05 projects," he’s usually talking about these places. If the federal government sneezes, Colorado Springs catches a cold. The economy here doesn't just rely on tourism and tech; it lives and breathes on defense contracts.
The Redistricting Ripple Effect
Most people assume the 5th is just "the Colorado Springs district." That's mostly true, but redistricting changed the boundaries after the 2020 census. It’s now almost entirely El Paso County.
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The district is roughly 86% urban, but that's a bit of a misnomer. While the city of Colorado Springs dominates, the district includes places like:
- Fountain and Security-Widefield (heavy military presence)
- Monument and Palmer Lake (the "Tri-Lakes" area, which is very conservative)
- Manitou Springs (the quirky, artistic neighbor that usually votes blue)
Redistricting made the district slightly more competitive. While the Cook PVI still sits at R+5, the influx of tech workers and younger families is diluting the old-school evangelical voting bloc. It’s still conservative—don’t get me wrong—but it’s a "libertarian-leaning, pro-business" kind of conservative rather than the fire-and-brimstone style of the 90s.
The "Focus on the Family" Factor
You can't talk about the Fifth without mentioning religion. For decades, the district was the epicenter of the Evangelical movement. Organizations like Focus on the Family and Compassion International are headquartered here.
In the past, these groups were the kingmakers. If they didn't like you, you didn't win the primary. Today? Their influence is still massive, but it's shared. The new power brokers are the aerospace CEOs and the "Space Force" families who care more about orbital debris and cybersecurity than they do about social culture wars.
What the 2026 Outlook Looks Like
We are currently in the 2026 election cycle. Jeff Crank is up for reelection this year. The Democrats are looking at the 2024 results—where they pulled in nearly 41% of the vote—and thinking they have a shot.
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But it’s a steep hill.
Crank has already raised over $1 million for his 2026 campaign. He’s leaning hard into "America First" policies while trying to keep the defense money flowing into the local economy. The biggest challenge for anyone representing this district isn't the opposing party; it's the threat of a government shutdown. When the federal government stops paying its bills, thousands of families in Colorado Springs stop getting paychecks.
The Economic Reality
Median household income in the district is around $91,125. That sounds high, but the cost of living in the Front Range has absolutely exploded. Housing prices in Colorado Springs have made it tough for young airmen and soldiers to live off-base.
This is the "hidden" issue in the Fifth. It's not just about politics; it's about the fact that a house in Gleneagle or Black Forest is now out of reach for the people who actually work at the Academy.
Actionable Insights for Residents
If you live in the Colorado Fifth or are planning to move there, keep these things on your radar:
- Monitor the NDAA: The National Defense Authorization Act is the most important piece of legislation for this district. It determines the fate of the Space Command and local base upgrades.
- Stay Local on Water: Despite the federal focus, water rights in El Paso County are becoming a crisis. Watch how the Representative interacts with local developers.
- Engage with the Veterans Administration: Since this district has one of the highest veteran populations, the local VA clinics are often overwhelmed. Advocacy at the congressional level is the only way to shorten wait times.
The Colorado Fifth Congressional District is a paradox. It's a place that deeply values individual liberty but relies almost entirely on the federal government for its survival. It’s a place where you’ll see a "Don't Tread on Me" flag flying right next to a "Support Our Troops" banner without a hint of irony. As Jeff Crank navigates his first full term, the eyes of the aerospace world are watching.