2020 Colorado elections

2020 Colorado elections
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Colorado state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The deadline to register and receive a ballot by mail in Colorado was October 26, 2020. Voters may register in person and vote or pick up a ballot at Voter Service Centers October 19 through 7 p.m. November 3, 2020. Colorado exclusively used a vote-by-mail system, although voters may choose to vote in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs).

In addition to the U.S. presidential race, Colorado voters voted in the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state executive offices, Colorado General Assembly, state supreme court, appellate courts, local judges, state ballot measures, and municipal elections.

Federal elections

President of the United States

Colorado has nine electoral votes in the Electoral College. Nominees for the presidential election included Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Jo Jorgensen. Joe Biden won the popular vote with 55%, winning nine pledged electoral votes.

United States Senate

Incumbent Republican Senator Cory Gardner sought reelection against Democratic former governor John Hickenlooper in the general election. John Hickenlooper won the election with 54% of the popular vote, making it a gain for the Democratic Party from the Republican Party.

United States House of Representatives

Coloradans voted for seven U.S. Representatives, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. No seats changed hands, the Democrats winning four seats and the Republicans winning three seats.

U.S. House of Representatives nominees by district
District Democratic nominee Republican nominee Independent nominee Libertarian nominee Unity nominee
District 1 Diana DeGette, incumbent Shane Bolling
District 2 Joe Neguse, incumbent Charles Winn Alex Johnson
District 3 Diane Mitsch Bush Lauren Boebert John Ryan Keil Critter Milton
District 4 Ike McCorkle Ken Buck, incumbent
District 5 Jillian Freeland Doug Lamborn, incumbent
District 6 Jason Crow, incumbent Steve House Norm Olsen Jaimie Kulikowski
District 7 Ed Perlmutter, incumbent Casper Stockham

State Board of Education

Three seats on the Colorado State Board of Education were up for election.

District Party Incumbent Status Party Candidate Votes %
1 Democratic Valentina Flores not running Democratic Lisa Escárcega 326,818 73.25%
Republican Sydnnia Wulff 104,204 23.36%
Libertarian Alan Hayman 12,707 2.85%
Approval Voting Zachary Laddison 2,405 0.54%
3 Republican Joyce Rankin running Republican Joyce Rankin 228,586 54.96%
Democratic Mayling Simpson 187,326 45.04%
7 Democratic Jane Goff term-limited Democratic Karla Esser 258,069 62.19%
Republican Nancy Pallozzi 156,890 37.81%

Source: Colorado Secretary of State

CU Board of Regents

Three seats on the University of Colorado Board of Regents were up for election.

District Party Incumbent Status Party Candidate Votes %
2 Democratic Linda Shoemaker not running Democratic Callie Rennison 297,440 59.59%
Republican Dick Murphy 181,404 36.34%
Libertarian Christian Vernaza 20,293 4.07%
6 Republican John Carson not running Democratic Ilana Spiegel 225,910 53.36%
Republican Richard Murray 188,145 44.44%
Unity Christopher Otwell 9,316 2.20%
7 Democratic Irene Griego term-limited Democratic Nolbert Chavez 297,965 100%

Source: Colorado Secretary of State

General Assembly

18 out of 35 seats in the Colorado Senate and all 65 seats in the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election.

State Judiciary

Supreme Court

Two justices on the Colorado Supreme Court had their terms expire on January 11, 2021, and their seats were up for retention.

Justice Hart retention

Results by county
For:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Justice Melissa Hart was appointed by governor Hickenlooper in 2017 to replace Allison Eid who was nominated by Donald Trump to the Tenth Circuit Appeals Court.

Colorado Supreme Court Justice Hart retention election
ChoiceVotes%
For2,021,13174.57
Against689,37525.43
Total2,710,506100.00
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Justice Samour retention

Results by county
For:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Justice Carlos Samour was appointed by governor Hickenlooper in 2018 to replace outgoing Nancy Rice.

Colorado Supreme Court Justice Samour retention election
ChoiceVotes%
For1,966,51273.45
Against710,86326.55
Total2,677,375100.00
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Court of Appeals

Two Colorado Court of Appeals judges had their terms expire on January 11, 2021, and their seats were up for retention.

Judge Tow retention

Results by county
For:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Judge Ted Tow was appointed by governor Hickenlooper in 2018 to replace outgoing Dennis Graham.

Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Tow retention election
ChoiceVotes%
For1,874,41970.79
Against773,36629.21
Total2,647,785100.00
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Judge Welling retention

Results by county
For:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Judge Craig Welling was appointed by governor Hickenlooper in 2017 to replace outgoing Gale Miller.

Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Welling retention election
ChoiceVotes%
For1,851,37470.08
Against790,50129.92
Total2,641,875100.00
Source: Colorado Secretary of State

Ballot measures

Eleven statewide measures appeared on the ballot in 2020.

Polling

Amendment B

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Amendment B Against Amendment B Undecided
YouGov/University of Colorado October 5–9, 2020 400 (LV) – 44% 20% 36%
400 (LV) – 24% 23% 53%
SurveyUSA/9News/Colorado Politics October 1–6, 2020 1,021 (LV) ± 3.9% 22% 17% 61%

Proposition 113

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 113 Against Proposition 113 Undecided
Civiqs/Daily Kos October 11–14, 2020 1,013 (LV) ± 3.6% 47% 45% 8%
YouGov/University of Colorado October 5–9, 2020 800 (LV) ± 4.64% 49% 34% 17%
SurveyUSA/9News/Colorado Politics October 1–6, 2020 1,021 (LV) ± 3.9% 39% 38% 23%

Proposition 114

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 114 Against Proposition 114
Colorado State University/Qualtrics/Colorado Sun August, 2019 734 (A) ± 7% 84% 16%

Proposition 115

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 115 Against Proposition 115 Undecided
Keating Research/Onsight Public Affairs/Colorado Sun October 29 – November 1, 2020 502 (LV) ± 4.4% 38% 56% –
Civiqs/Daily Kos October 11–14, 2020 1,013 (LV) ± 3.6% 42% 51% 7%
YouGov/University of Colorado October 5–9, 2020 800 (LV) ± 4.64% 41% 45% 14%
SurveyUSA/9News/Colorado Politics October 1–6, 2020 1,021 (LV) ± 3.9% 42% 45% 13%

Proposition 116

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 116 Against Proposition 116 Undecided
Civiqs/Daily Kos October 11–14, 2020 1,013 (LV) ± 3.6% 51% 35% 14%

Proposition 118

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 For Proposition 118 Against Proposition 118 Undecided
YouGov/University of Colorado October 5–9, 2020 800 (LV) ± 4.64% 65% 22% 13%
SurveyUSA/9News/Colorado Politics October 1–6, 2020 1,021 (LV) ± 3.9% 57% 21% 22%

Results

2020 Colorado ballot measures
Name Description Votes Type
Yes % No %
Amendment B Repeals the Gallagher Amendment and allows the state legislature to make changes to the property tax assessment rates. 1,740,395 57.52 1,285,136 42.48 Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Amendment C Lowers the number of years an organization must exist before obtaining a charitable gaming license and allows those organizations to hire managers and operators of gaming activities on minimum wage. 1,586,973 52.35 1,444,553 47.65
Amendment 76 Amends the state constitution to state that “only a citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, and local elections. 1,985,239 62.90 1,171,137 37.10 Citizen-initiated constitutional amendment
Amendment 77 Allows voters in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek to vote to expand allowed gaming types and bet limits. 1,854,153 60.54 1,208,414 39.46 Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute
Proposition EE Increases taxes on tobacco, creates a new tax on nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, and dedicates those funds to education and health programs. 2,134,608 67.56 1,025,182 32.44 Legislatively referred state statute
Proposition 113 Joins Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, awarding Colorado's electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. 1,644,716 52.33 1,498,500 47.67 Veto referendum
Proposition 114 Reintroduces gray wolves on public lands. 1,590,299 50.91 1,533,313 49.09 Citizen-initiated state statute
Proposition 115 Prohibits most abortions after 22 weeks gestational age. 1,292,787 41.01 1,859,479 58.99
Proposition 116 Decreases the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%. 1,821,702 57.86 1,327,025 42.14
Proposition 117 Requires voter approval of new enterprises that are exempt from TABOR if their revenue is greater than $50 million within its first five years. 1,573,114 52.55 1,420,445 47.45
Proposition 118 Establishes a program for paid medical and family leave. 1,804,546 57.75 1,320,386 42.25
Source: Colorado Secretary of State
Results by county
Amendment B results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Amendment C results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Amendment 76 results by county
Yes:
  •   >90%
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
Amendment 77 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
Proposition EE results by county
Yes:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 113 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 114 results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 115 results by county
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 116 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 117 results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 118 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Respondents polled with the ballot measure's wording
  3. ↑ Respondents polled with a simple description of the ballot measure
  4. ↑ Additional data sourced from FiveThirtyEight
  5. ↑ With the passage of Amendment 71 (2016), constitutional amendments require 55% of the vote in order to pass.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lily Hay Newman (August 27, 2020), "How to Vote by Mail and Make Sure It Counts", Wired.com, archived from the original on October 6, 2020
  2. ↑ "Election governance in Colorado". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Elections & Campaign Finance Calendar". Colorado Secretary of State. State of Colorado. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Colorado local trial court judicial elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. ↑ "United States municipal elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Distribution of Electoral Votes". National Archives. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ Amber Phillips (September 16, 2020), "The Senate seats most likely to flip in November", Washingtonpost.com, archived from the original on September 16, 2020
  8. ↑ "Colorado State Board of Education election, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2020 Abstract of Votes Cast". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Colorado State Board of Regents election, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Colorado State Senate elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Colorado Supreme Court elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. ↑ Goodland, Marianne (December 14, 2017). "CU Law's Melissa Hart newest member of Colorado Supreme Court". Colorado Politics. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Hickenlooper Appoints Samour as Supreme Court Justice". Law Week Colorado. June 4, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Colorado intermediate appellate court elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ Paul, Jesse (December 18, 2017). "John Hickenlooper appoints judge to fill vacancy on Colorado's second-highest court". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Appellate judge appointed". The Pueblo Chieftain. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Colorado 2020 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  20. 1 2 3 4 YouGov/University of Colorado
  21. 1 2 3 4 SurveyUSA/9News/Colorado Politics
  22. 1 2 3 Civiqs/Daily Kos
  23. ↑ Colorado State University/Qualtrics/Colorado Sun Archived June 29, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ Keating Research/Onsight Public Affairs/Colorado Sun
  25. ↑ "Colorado Amendment B, Gallagher Amendment Repeal and Property Tax Assessment Rates Measure (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Colorado Amendment C, Charitable Bingo and Raffles Amendment (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Colorado Amendment 71, 55% Vote Requirement and Signature Distribution Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Measure (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Colorado Amendment 76, Citizenship Requirement for Voting Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Colorado Amendment 77, Allow Voters in Central, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek Cities to Expand Authorized Games and Increase Maximum Bets Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Colorado Proposition EE, Tobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health and Education Programs Measure (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 113, National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 114, Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 115, 22-Week Abortion Ban Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 116, Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 117, Require Voter Approval of Certain New Enterprises Exempt from TABOR Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Colorado Proposition 118, Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Covered Areas for Voting Rights Bilingual Election Materials—2015", Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006, Determinations Under Section 203, Federal Register, retrieved October 13, 2020, A Notice by the Census Bureau on 12/05/2016

Further reading