If you haven't looked at a map since high school, you might be surprised. Colorado is growing. Fast. Honestly, the demographic shift in the Rockies is one of the biggest stories in American politics, but most people just focus on the "blue" or "red" of it all. They miss the math.
So, let's get right to it. Colorado has 10 electoral votes.
That’s the number. It's not a suggestion or a guess—it's the reality for the 2024 and 2028 presidential elections. If you’re used to hearing the number nine, you aren't crazy. You’re just a little bit behind the times. Up until the 2020 Census, Colorado was sitting at nine. But things changed.
The 2020 Census: Why Colorado Gained Power
Basically, the federal government does a massive head count every ten years. It’s the Census. When the 2020 data dropped, it confirmed what anyone living in Denver or Colorado Springs already knew: the state is booming.
Because the population surged, Colorado was awarded an extra seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the world of the Electoral College, your "magic number" is determined by a simple formula:
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- Take the number of U.S. Senators (Every state has 2).
- Add the number of U.S. Representatives (Colorado now has 8).
- The total equals your electoral votes.
So, $2 + 8 = 10$.
This jump to 10 votes actually puts Colorado in a tie with states like Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. It’s a respectable chunk of the 270 needed to win the White House. It makes the state a much bigger prize than it used to be back in the 90s.
How the Votes Actually Get Cast
You’ve probably heard of "winner-take-all." Colorado is one of 48 states that uses this system. If a candidate wins the popular vote in Colorado by even a single ballot, they get all 10 electoral votes. Period.
It’s not like Maine or Nebraska, where they split things up by congressional district. In Colorado, it’s all or nothing.
Interestingly, there was a whole thing about this a few years back. Colorado joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). This is basically a group of states that have agreed to give their electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote, regardless of who won in their specific state.
But there’s a catch.
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This compact only kicks in once enough states join to reach 270 electoral votes. Since that hasn't happened yet, the compact is just sitting there on the shelf. For now, the old rules apply: the winner in Colorado gets all 10 votes.
A Quick History of Colorado's Votes
- 1876: Colorado enters the union with 3 votes.
- 1900s: The number fluctuated as the West was settled.
- 2010 Census: Colorado held steady at 9 votes.
- 2020 Census: The jump to 10.
Is Colorado Still a Swing State?
Kinda. Sorta. Not really.
If you look back at the early 2000s, Colorado was the ultimate battleground. George W. Bush won it. Obama won it. It was purple. But lately? It’s been trending deep, deep blue. In 2020, Joe Biden won the state by 13.5%. In 2024, Kamala Harris maintained a double-digit lead over Donald Trump.
The growth isn't coming from everywhere, though. The "Front Range"—that’s Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins—is where the Democrats are racking up points. Meanwhile, the Western Slope and the Eastern Plains remain pretty staunchly Republican.
But here’s the thing: people keep moving to the cities. As long as Denver keeps growing, those 10 electoral votes are likely to stay in the Democratic column for the foreseeable future.
What This Means for 2028
Since the 10-vote allocation is based on the 2020 Census, it is locked in for the 2028 election too. We won't see another change until the 2030 Census is completed and the seats are reapportioned in 2032.
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If you’re a political junkie, you should keep an eye on the 8th Congressional District. That’s the "new" seat Colorado got. It’s located north of Denver and is considered one of the most competitive districts in the entire country. While the state’s 10 electoral votes might seem "safe" for one party, the battle for that individual House seat is usually a total dogfight.
Actionable Insights for Voters
- Check your registration: If you've recently moved to Colorado (joining the thousands of others), make sure you're registered at your new address. You can do this at the Colorado Secretary of State's website.
- Watch the 2030 Census: In a few years, the count starts again. If Colorado's growth continues at this pace, we could be looking at 11 votes by the mid-2030s.
- Understand the NPVIC: Keep an eye on other states joining the National Popular Vote compact. If it ever hits that 270 threshold, the way those 10 votes are handed out will change overnight.
Colorado isn't just a place for skiing and craft beer anymore; it's a legitimate power player in the race for the presidency. Those 10 votes matter.