Colorado Governor Race 2026: Weiser vs. Marx

Gov. Jared Polis (D) is term-limited, and Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) is heavily favored to succeed him against Victor Marx (R), a Marine veteran and ministry leader. Weiser is running on building 40,000 starter homes, expanding down-payment aid, K-12 funding, and youth mental health, and reforming TABOR, the state's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. He has said wealthy residents can pay "a little more", and at an October 8 Colorado Chamber forum he said he would sign a bill easing the Labor Peace Act's requirement for a second union election and defended targeted emissions rules. Marx is running on faster housing approvals, cost-benefit reviews before new regulations, auditing state agencies, and no new taxes; at the forum he said he would veto the labor bill, keep using natural gas, and explore small nuclear reactors.

Marx appeared at the chamber forum but declined the Colorado Sun's debate invitation, and Weiser said he was concerned that a major candidate "doesn't see things the way I believe democracy requires." Former U.S. Rep. Greg Lopez (I), a former Republican running unaffiliated, is campaigning on starter homes, insurance costs, and a top-to-bottom review of state government; Eric Mulder (L) and three other minor-party or unaffiliated candidates are also on the ballot.