If you’re scouring the web to find out who is running for Colorado governor in 2024, I’ve got some news that might be a little jarring.
There isn't an election.
Yeah, you read that right. While the rest of the country spent 2024 obsessed with the presidential race and various congressional seats, Colorado’s highest office wasn't actually up for grabs. I know, it’s confusing. We see political ads constantly, and it feels like we’re always voting for something, but the timing for the Governor’s mansion follows a different beat.
The state of Colorado elects its governor every four years, specifically during the midterm cycles. The last time we did this was back in 2022. The next time we’ll head to the polls to pick a governor is 2026.
Why you aren't seeing a 2024 governor's race
Basically, the Colorado Constitution sets a four-year term for the executive branch. Our current governor, Jared Polis, won his second term in November 2022 after defeating Republican challenger Heidi Ganahl. Because he took his second oath of office in January 2023, he’s locked in until early 2027.
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So, if you went looking for who is running for Colorado governor in 2024 because you wanted to cast a vote, you likely saw a ballot filled with other things. We had 14 different statewide measures—everything from mountain lion hunting bans to school choice. But the governor? He’s just been doing his job under the gold dome in Denver while the 2024 storm raged around him.
Honestly, even though there wasn’t a race in 2024, the political world has already moved on to what happens next. Since Governor Polis is term-limited (he can’t run for a third consecutive term), the seat is going to be wide open in 2026. That is why people are already talking. They’re "pre-running," if that’s a thing.
The 2026 race is already heating up
Even though the calendar says 2026 is the year, the 2024 cycle acted as a sort of "soft launch" for several big-name candidates. You've probably heard a few names floating around at dinner parties or on local news segments.
Because there was no incumbent to worry about in 2024, some heavy hitters started making moves behind the scenes. It's kinda like how stores put out Christmas decorations in October. Politics has no off-season anymore.
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The Democratic Heavyweights
The Democratic primary is expected to be a total brawl. Since the party has a pretty strong hold on statewide offices right now, many see the primary as the "real" election.
- Phil Weiser: The current Attorney General officially launched his 2026 campaign very early. He’s been talking a lot about affordability and consumer protection, trying to position himself as the natural successor to the Polis legacy.
- Michael Bennet: This was the big shocker. In early 2025 (right after the 2024 cycle ended), U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced he was coming home to run for governor. It basically cleared the field of other federal-level names like Joe Neguse and Jason Crow.
- Jena Griswold: For a long time, the Secretary of State was rumored to be looking at the Governor's office. However, with Bennet jumping in, she pivot-shifted to running for Attorney General instead.
The Republican Side
Republicans are looking for a way to break the Democratic "trifecta" in Colorado. They've had a rough few years in statewide races, but they’re hoping 2026 feels different.
- Greg Lopez: A familiar name for anyone who follows Colorado politics. He’s run before, and in early 2026, he actually made waves by leaving the GOP to run as an unaffiliated candidate. That’s a massive gamble.
- Scott Bottoms: State Representative Scott Bottoms has already declared. He represents a more conservative, "firebrand" wing of the party.
- Jason Clark: Another name that’s officially in the mix early on.
What most people get wrong about Colorado elections
It’s easy to get confused because Colorado did have huge elections in 2024. If you saw a yard sign for a "State Representative" or a "University of Colorado Regent," those were real 2024 races.
But the Executive Branch—the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General—all operate on that same four-year "off-presidential" cycle.
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If you're asking who is running for Colorado governor in 2024, you might actually be seeing the fallout of the 2024 Presidential election. After Donald Trump's victory and the subsequent shifts in Washington D.C., a lot of Colorado politicians started recalculating their futures. That’s why we’re seeing Senator Bennet want to leave the Senate to come be Governor. The power dynamic in D.C. makes being a Governor in Denver look a lot more appealing right now.
Actionable next steps for Colorado voters
Just because there wasn't a governor's race in 2024 doesn't mean you should tune out. Here is what you should actually be doing right now to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check your registration: Even without a governor race, 2024 had huge local impacts. Make sure you’re still active on the Secretary of State’s website.
- Watch the 2025 Legislative Session: This is where the 2026 candidates will try to make their mark. Watch who is sponsoring bills on housing, water, and taxes. That’s their "audition" for your vote.
- Follow the money: In Colorado, you can track campaign contributions through the TRACER system. Candidates like Phil Weiser and Michael Bennet are already raising millions. Who is giving them that money tells you a lot about how they’ll govern.
- Ignore the 2024 "Governor" ads: If you see any, they are likely either old, fake, or talking about a different state. We’ve got a long wait until the June 2026 primary.
The 2024 cycle was a wild ride, but for the Governor’s mansion, the seat remained occupied by Jared Polis. He’ll give one more "State of the State" address before the true 2026 madness begins. Stay tuned, because once the 2024 dust fully settles, the race for Colorado’s next leader is going to get very loud, very fast.